Scar Revision
No scar can ever be completely removed. The aim of scar revision is to improve the appearance, texture or function of a scar as much as possible. Treatment is tailored to the individual scar and the person.
Introduction
Scars are a normal part of healing following surgery or injury. While many scars mature well over time, others may remain raised, stretched, thickened, discoloured or otherwise noticeable.
Scars can also become uncomfortable, itchy, painful or restrict movement across joints, making treatment worthwhile for reasons beyond appearance alone.
The way a scar heals is influenced by many factors. Some are related to the individual, including genetics, skin type, smoking, nutrition and general health. Others relate to the injury itself, including the location of the wound, the presence of infection during healing, how long the wound took to heal, and whether the injury resulted from a clean surgical incision or more complex trauma.
THE PROCEDURE
Scar revision may be considered for a wide variety of concerns, including scars following previous surgery, traumatic injuries, burns, self-harm, hypertrophic scars, keloid scars and split or stretched earlobes.
Treatment depends on the type of scar, how mature it is, and what you are hoping to achieve. In many cases, the greatest improvements can be achieved without further surgery, with surgery reserved for carefully selected situations.
Some scars heal in a raised or thickened manner. Hypertrophic scars are thickened, raised scars, while keloid scars continue to grow beyond the boundaries of the original injury. Although they behave differently, both can often be improved with a combination of non-surgical treatments.
Treatment options may include:
- Scar massage and moisturising
- Silicone gels or silicone taping
- Steroid injections
- Laser therapy
- Surgical scar revision
Scar Massage & Silicone Therapy
Scar massage, regular moisturising and silicone therapy form the foundation of scar management. Silicone products, either as gels or adhesive sheets, help maintain hydration and provide gentle compression, both of which have been shown to improve scar quality during the maturation process.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are commonly used to treat raised scars. These are performed comfortably in the clinic using local anaesthetic before multiple small injections are placed throughout the scar. Improvement is gradual, often beginning after two weeks and continuing over six to eight weeks. A series of treatments is often necessary to achieve the best result.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy can improve the colour, texture and contour of many scars.
Our clinic utilises the Alma Hybrid laser system, combining CO₂ and 1570 nm wavelengths to target different components of scar formation. Laser treatment may improve established scars or be utilised as part of an early scar management programme following surgery to optimise long-term healing.
Surgical Scar Revision
Surgery is reserved for carefully selected situations. It may be appropriate where a scar has stretched, healed under tension or can be repositioned to produce a more favourable result.
Surgery is used much more cautiously for hypertrophic and particularly keloid scars. Because these scars develop as an abnormal response to injury, further surgery represents another injury and may stimulate the scar to recur or become worse. Where surgery is appropriate, it is often combined with additional treatments to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Earlobe Repair
Split and stretched earlobes are a common problem, occurring either following trauma from earrings pulling through the earlobe or after deliberate stretching with earlobe spacers.
THE PROCESS
Your consultation includes assessment of the scar, discussion of your concerns and consideration of the factors that contributed to its development. A personalised treatment plan is then developed. This may involve a single treatment or, more commonly, a combination of therapies delivered over time to achieve the best possible outcome.
Many scar treatments can be performed comfortably in the clinic under local anaesthetic, while more extensive surgical scar revision may be undertaken in a private hospital under sedation or general anaesthetic.
Our experienced nursing team provides ongoing support throughout your treatment, monitoring healing and scar maturation. I remain closely involved in your care whenever further assessment or treatment is required.
THE RECOVERY
Recovery varies depending on the treatment performed.
Most non-surgical treatments require little or no downtime, allowing patients to return to normal activities almost immediately.
Following surgical scar revision, patients are generally able to shower immediately after surgery. Swimming, prolonged water submersion and strenuous activity should be avoided until the wound has healed and sutures have been removed.
Scar maturation continues for up to 12 to 18 months, with ongoing improvement in colour, softness and contour during this time.
Treatment Risks
The greatest limitation of scar revision is that it is not always possible to achieve the degree of improvement hoped for. While many scars can be improved significantly, no scar can ever be completely removed.
Other potential risks include:
- Bleeding and infection
- Delayed wound healing
- Persistence or recurrence of the scar
- Numbness or altered sensation
- The need for further treatment
These risks vary depending on the type of scar and the treatment being undertaken and will be discussed during your consultation.
Pricing
Because scar revision is highly individualised, treatment recommendations and costs vary considerably depending on the type of scar and the combination of treatments required.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
