The holidays are a time of giving, but they can also be a great opportunity to treat yourself. Now that the New Year is upon us, scar revision is an especially powerful treatment because it can boost your confidence as you crush your goals. If you’ve been considering scar revision, now is the perfect time.
Benefits of Scar Treatment
For most patients, the greatest benefit of scar revision surgery is the ability to improve the appearance of scars, helping increase self-esteem and self-image. If you have noticeable scar tissue, raised scars, or are unhappy with the scar appearance, you may feel self-conscious wearing clothing that exposes the affected area or worry about others noticing your scars. While scars cannot be completely removed, modern plastic surgery uses advanced techniques to improve scar appearance and achieve the best possible outcome. Depending on the part of the body being treated, your surgeon may also recommend a dermal filler or other treatments to address surface irregularities and help minimize redness. The final look of a scar depends on many factors, including your body’s natural healing response, how your skin heals, the depth of the original incision, and whether poor healing occurred.
Severe scarring can also be uncomfortable and limiting. In some cases, scarred skin develops after lost or damaged skin heals, creating thick or tight scars that may restrict movement. Scar revision works to restore function while improving the condition of the upper layers of the skin and supporting healthy skin. Whether treating keloids or other types of scarring, the goal is to enhance the appearance of scars while helping you feel more comfortable and confident in your skin.
Different Types of Scar Revision Techniques
There are many different types of scar revision treatments. The best option for you depends on the location, type, and extent of your scarring. In many cases, scar revision can be done as a non-invasive, topical treatment.
Silicone Gel Sheets
Silicone gel sheets are a popular and effective scar revision method that promote hydration and reduce tension in the area. Silicone treatments can prevent the formation of scars after a surgery or skin wound, and they can reduce the appearance of existing scars.
Chemical Peels
Another common non-invasive treatment is a chemical peel, which is the use of a chemical solution to remove the outermost layer of skin. Chemical peels are especially popular for acne scarring on the face. Dermabrasion is also a highly effective scar revision treatment that sands away the top layer of your skin.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy can be used for scar revision, too. This treatment uses light or heat to stimulate the growth of new tissue, which reduces the appearance of your scars.
Surgical Scar Removal
Large, severe, and uncomfortable scarring may require surgery. During surgical scar removal, your doctor will cut the scar out and close the wound. They may also offer topical treatments after the surgery to prevent a new scar from forming at the surgical site.
Candidates for Scar Revision
Scar revision can be successful for many types of scars, including surgical scars, burns, traumatic injuries, infections, and acne. The best candidates for the treatment are in good overall health and have realistic expectations for what they will achieve with scar revision. If you have an active skin infection in the area being treated, your doctor may recommend that you wait until it’s resolved before you undergo the treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of scar revision. The Aesthetic Center at Woodholme in Baltimore, MD offers topical solutions, laser therapy, dermabrasion, and several other scar revision treatments. Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Papel, Dr. Kontis, or Dr. Brown to discuss which option is best for you.
Dr. Ira D. Papel is certified in Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Papel earned his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. from Boston University of Medicine. He completed a residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Papel is considered an international expert in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and facial aesthetic surgery.
