Scars, on the face and the body, are due to different reasons, like accidents, injuries, burns, prior cosmetic surgeries or even severe acne (See Doctor’s Remarks for acne scars in particular). A surgery that treats scars can significantly reduce their appearance in order for them not to be a cosmetic or functional problem for patients and therefore improve their appearance and their confidence. A surgery may not completely remove scars it can smooth them and make them much less noticeable.
What is a treatment for scars?
Who’s a good candidate?
The surgery to remove scars concerns healthy men, women and children that are bothered by a scar on their face or body. Although surgery can be performed on patients of any age it is absolutely necessary for the injury that caused the scar to have completely healed. Moreover, patients should have realistic expectations and realise that very often certain marks or scars cannot be completely removed, however the doctor will do what is possible to reduce them and improve their appearance.
Facts I need to know
The treatment for scars is a procedure that is each time adapted to the different patients needs. It must always be performed after the injuyry that caused the scar has completely healed, a process that requires months, even a whole year. The doctor chooses the apropriate surgical or non-invasive technique, depending on the case. Bigger scars (hypertrophic) need surgical removal in order to be repositioned in a less visible area. In other cases the doctor may use a skin graft to help the wound heal properly. Other times she may use the Z-Plasty method that changes the scar’s direction and hides it in the skin’s natural creases and folds. Depending on the type of the scar and the complexity of the case the surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia and takes from 2 to 4 hours. The surgery is performed in an organised clinic and usually patients don’t have to spend the night in the hospital. If the scar can be treated with a non-invasive technique, like laser or other kind of machines, then the doctor will inform you on your options.
Recovery Time
After the surgery there will be mild swelling, bruising and redness that subside in the next 1 to 2 weeks. Returning to work and to every day activities depend always on the area treated. The skin takes a long time to fully heal and results become completely visibly after almost a year. The doctor may suggest a combination of different therapies, like laser, peeling or dermabrasion in order to further improve the result of the surgery.
Doctor’s Remarks
Acne scars
My approach to acne scars is based on a combination of techniques that I have perfected over the last years. One to three sessions, depending on the scars depth, with Morpheus8 or Erbium Fractional Laser are usual enough to improve the skin with acne scars. In many cases I eliminate scars accretions with a special technique before applying the Morpheus8 laser. When the therapy is over I use mesotherapy to inject into the skin ingredients that stimulate fibroblasts. As a result skin is boosted with collagen and elastin looking even smoother and firmer.
Extended Scarring
When it comes to extended and complex scarring I may decide to restore it by surgically removing the scars. Nowadays there are a lot of methods to solve this difficult problem and, if performed correctly, they can significantly improve the skin’s quality and appearance.