Scar revision treatments

Every scar tells a story, they say. Even when the pain has been long forgotten, a scar remains and reminds us of a traumatic event in our life. Scars can result from e.g. surgeries, accidents or burns. The psychological impact of scars can be deeply distressing, not just because they are unsightly, but they can also restrict movement. If scars are very conspicuous on the body, they can be very bothersome and even cause pain. Aesthetic plastic procedures can correct the scarring in a healing and visual way and achieve a significant improvement.

For hypertrophic scars resulting shortly after a surgery or injury a conservative, non-surgical method, is advised. The patient himself can apply some massage techniques in combination with the usage of scar moisturizing creams and silicone sheets. In severe and painful cases treatment with steroid injections made directly into the scar may be required.

In cases where a scar is old, mature or has a functional impairment surgical scar revision may be performed to reposition or excise it allowing the scar to be less obvious. For large scars or scars located on unfavourable parts of the body several sessions (serial excisions) are required. A minimum period of 6 weeks should be allowed between each session.

In principle scars cannot be made "invisible", but depending on the type of a scar, a variety of different treatments may help to make them less visible and improve their appearance.

Please be aware that after surgery depending on size of the body no strenuous activities including sport should be undertaken up to 4 weeks. As scar revision surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetics work can be resumed after one day. Exposure to sun and solariums should be avoided for 6 weeks or apply a sun protector with SPF 50+, as new scars can cause dark pigmentation.