Scar Revision

Scar revision is plastic surgery performed to improve the condition or appearance of a scar anywhere on the body. There are different types of scars. Cosmetic surgery or other plastic surgery treatments improve discoloration, surface irregularities, and other more subtle scars. These types of scars do not impair function or cause physical discomfort and include acne scars and scars resulting from minor injury or prior surgical incisions. Hypertropic scars are thick clusters of scar tissue that develop at a wound site. Hypertropic scars are higher than the skin, raised, red and/or uncomfortable and may become wider over time. They can be either darker or lighter in color than healthy skin. Keloids are larger than hypertropic scars. They can be painful or itchy and may pucker. Keloids extend beyond the edges of an original wound or incision. Keloids can occur anywhere on the body, but they develop more commonly, where there is little underlying fatty tissue, such as on the face, neck, ears, chest, or shoulders. Contractures are scars that restrict movement due to skin and underlying tissue that pull together during healing. They can occur after a burn when there is a large amount of tissue loss. Contractures can also form where a wound crosses a joint, restricting movement of the fingers, elbows, knees, or neck, for instance. The type of scar a patient has will determine the appropriate techniques a plastic surgeon will use to improve the scarring.