Scar Revision

While no scar can be removed completely, a plastic surgeon can often improve the appearance of a scar, making it less obvious through surgical procedures known as scar revisions. If you are bothered by a prominent scar, you may want to consider scar revision in Guilford or Mystic, CT with board-certified plastic surgeon Beth Collins, M.D., serving New Haven, Madison, New London, Westerly, Hopkinton, and other nearby Connecticut and Rhode Island cities at her two Results Medical Spa locations.

To learn more about scar revision treatments, contact Dr. Collins at our Guilford location at (203) 689-5295 or Mystic location at (860) 572-6868 or book online today.

Who Should Get Scar Revision?

Many scars that appear large and unattractive at first may become less noticeable with time. Some can be treated with steroids to relieve symptoms such as tenderness and itching. Dr. Collins will examine you and discuss the possible methods of treating your scar, the risks and benefits involved, and the possible outcomes.

What Does Scar Revision Do?

Keloids are thick, puckered, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound or incision. Keloids are often treated by injecting a steroid medication directly into the scar tissue to reduce redness, itching, and burning. In some cases, this will also shrink the scar. If steroid treatment is inadequate, the scar tissue can be cut out and the wound closed with one or more layers of stitches.

Hypertrophic scars are often confused with keloids since both tend to be thick, red, and raised.  If a conservative approach doesn’t appear to be effective, hypertrophic scars can often be improved surgically. Your provider will remove excess scar tissue, and may reposition the incision so that it heals in a less visible pattern.

Burns or other injuries resulting in the loss of a large area of skin may form a scar that pulls the edges of the skin together, a process called contraction.

Laser Scar Revision

For small and superficial scars like acne scarring, Dr. Collins uses the BBL HERO® laser to treat the skin. Using broadband light (BBL) technology, this laser works to remove the top layers of skin, revealing soft, refreshed skin without acne scars and discoloration.

This treatment not only removes the outer layers of skin, but encourages skin’s natural healing process, causing new collagen to form and smooth out the appearance of skin.

What Happens in Scar Revision Surgery?

Z-plasty is a surgical technique used to reposition a scar so that it more closely conforms to the natural lines and creases of the skin, where it will be less noticeable. In this procedure, the old scar is removed and new incisions are made on each side, creating small triangular flaps of skin. These flaps are then rearranged to cover the wound at a different angle, giving the scar a “Z” pattern.

After Scar Revision: What Should I Expect?

While scar revision is normally safe, there is always the possibility of complications. These may include infection, bleeding, a reaction to the anesthesia, or the recurrence of an unsightly scar.

Related Procedures and Scar Revision Alternatives

Skin grafts and flaps are more serious than other forms of scar surgery. They’re more likely to be performed in a hospital as inpatient procedures, using general anesthesia. The treated area may take several weeks or months to heal, and a support garment or bandage may be necessary for up to a year.

Scar revision performed by Dr. Beth Collins in New Haven County can lessen the appearance of a scar and improve function. Book online today or call our Guilford location at (203) 689-5295 or Mystic location at (860) 572-6868 to schedule a consultation.