Scar Revision

A few of the options for the treatment of scars include injectible fillers, light and laser therapy, chemical peels and dermabrasion. Deeper scars usually can be treated only by surgery.

What is Scar Revision?

Scars are marks of injury and once formed will always be there almost permanently. Most of the scars are formed as a result of deep injury to the skin, either during an accident or because of a surgery. It is important to understand there are good looking scars and there are bad looking scars. Healing of scars can be compounded by existing conditions like diabetes, keloids or a predisposition to hypertrophic scars.

What cosmetic surgery options available to treat scars?

Today, there are many cosmetic surgery options available to treat scars. If not make scars disappear altogether, there are treatments available that at least minimize the ungainly appearance of scars. A few of the options for the treatment of scars include injectible fillers, light and laser therapy, chemical peels and dermabrasion. Deeper scars usually can be treated only by surgery.Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), fractional CO2 laser, Erbium laser treatments can produce dramatic improvement in scars. Generally three to four treatments will be required at three week interval. It is an outpatient, quick and easy procedure, commonly performed under topical or local anaesthesia. Which method to choose for the scar treatment depends on the severity of the scar, location of the scar and the age of the patient. It is best to let your cosmetic surgeon decide which method will work best for you.

Questions to ask your Surgeon before Scar Revision Surgery

Are you a good candidate for Scar revision procedure?
What will be expected to get the best results?
Where and how will you perform the procedure?
How long of a recovery period can we expect?
Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
What are the risks and complications associated with this surgery?
How will the complications be handled?
Do you have before-and-after photos of other patients?

Scar Revision Procedures

Simple scar revision procedures can be performed under local anaesthesia for smaller sized scars. The doctor may use dermafillers, injectables or gels to reduce the visibility of the scar and to help it blend in with the rest of the skin. This treatment can require single or multiple sessions depending on the size of the scar.

Pandit Clinic emphasizes on good post-operative care for best results.

Fat Grafting:
Fat grafting is a new technique in scar revision procedures. This is also called “Autologous” fat grafting (meaning the patients own tissues are used in the scar revision). This treatment involves liposuction (removing fat from one part of the body) and then injecting the tissues into the scar site. This is an effective treatment when the scars are caused due to burns or surgery, and limit the range of motion for the patient. This surgical procedure is performed under local anaesthesia at Pandit Clinic. It has improved the appearance of depressed scars in our patients
Skin Grafting:
Skin grafting is similar to fat grafting. In the skin grafting procedure, the doctor will remove healthy skin from a part of your body and graft it onto the scar site. This improves the scar and blends in with the rest of the body. We recommend this procedure with patients who have scars as a result of burns or contractures.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is one of the most non-invasive scar removal procedures in our clinic. This treatment involves applying the chemical peel to the scar site and then cleansing the peel and skin underneath. Chemical peels remove the old outer layer of the scarred skin and allow new skin to regenerate. This makes the scar seem less visible and abnormal. This procedure is greatly effective for mild scars.
Z Plasty
Z Plasty is a reliable surgical procedure for scar revision or scar repositioning. The cosmetic surgeon who performs Z Plasty needs to be highly skilled because this procedure involves critical operating techniques. The procedure for Z Plasty helps in lengthening the scar or breaking it and finally camouflaging it with the relaxed tension lines of the rest of the skin. The outcome of a Z Plasty is to make the scar look like a natural part of the skin. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and has shown great results for our patients
Keloid Scar Revision
Keloid is a type of scar that grows higher than the skin. Keloids appear after an injury has healed. They can be itchy and painful. There are different treatment options for Keloid Scars:
1. Intralesional Injections - The surgeon will inject a steroid based intralesional injection at the scar site. The steroid helps break the bonds between collagen fibers. This results in making the scarring smaller. The amount of injection will be determined based on the scar size and other health conditions of the patient.
2. Surgical Excision - In case of certain keloid scars the doctor may recommend a surgical excision. In this treatment method the doctor removes the keloid during a small surgical procedure and injects intralesional steroids to help in the healing. But Keloid based scars have a probability of recurrence after treatment as well.

Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Scar Revision Surgery

No matter how the scar developed, whether due to injury or surgery, generally, patients are not happy with the appearance of a scar. Read more if you have queries about what is a scar, what are the different types of scars, what is scar revision surgery, how to take care of your scar after surgery and so on.

Simple Do's and Don'ts For Scars

DO'S

Massage the wound with Vitamin E. This can lead to a less visible scar.

DO'S

Keep the scar moist to avoid exacerbating its intensity.

DON'TS

Don’t pick at the scabs. This increases scarring and could lead to further discolouration.

DON'TS

Don’t step out into the sun without sunscreen on the scar site.

Dr. Shrirang Pandit

MBBS, MS, Mch (Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon)

Meet Dr. Shrirang Pandit

Dr. Shrirang Pandit is the founder of the Pandit Clinic. He has an experience of 30+ years in plastic surgery. He is a renowned name in the industry and pioneer of aesthetic lasers in India. Dr. Shrirang Pandit has performed numerous surgeries on children with facial clefts, managed patients with burn injuries and also has a large experience with lasers on Asian Indian skin. He has attended various laser workshops and courses as faculty and is keen on educating the next generations. He is a life member of all the top plastic surgery associations like Association of Plastic Surgeons in India, Association of Surgeons of India, Indian Association of Cosmetic Laser Surgeons, to name a few. He also acts as a key opinion leader for Ultrashape Inc., Lumenis Inc, VASER Sound Surgical Technologies, USA