Scar Revision

Scars form as a normal part of the healing process, while the skin is trying to recover from an accident, burn, acne, surgery or other trauma.  This involves multiple layers of the skin and once a scar forms it is permanent.  Scars, especially facial, are usually disfiguring and as with contracture scarring often diminish normal function.  No matter where a scar is located it affects people in one way or another either functionally or emotionally – many times both. Scar revision involves a variety of surgical or non-surgical procedures used to improve or reduce the appearance of scars, to restore function and to correct skin changes and disfigurement. If surgery is required, Dr. Cole skillfully performs a scar revision to make a scar less visible, to restore normal function and a more pleasing, natural looking appearance. 

BENEFITS OF SCAR REVISION:

• Scar Revision improves and/or reduces the appearance of a scar
• Scar Revision can restore function and correct form (disfigurement)
• Scar Revision can be done either as surgical or non-surgical procedure
• Scar Revision safely treats hypertropic, keloid and contracture scars
• Scar Revision improves and enhances physical appearance and self-confidence

Types of Scars

• HYPERTROPIC – These scars occur within the boundaries of the incision or a wound.  Hypertropic scars are typically thick, red and raised in appearance.
• KELOIDS – Keloid scars generally grow beyond the boundaries of an incision or wound and are more common among dark-skinned people. They are similar in appearance to hypertropic scars. Keloids usually grow on the earlobe, shoulder or over the breastbone.
• CONTRACTURE SCARS – These are the most severe form of scarring.  Contractures are typical of burn patients, usually result after loss of skin over a large area and cause the edges of the skin to pull together.  This pulling affects the adjacent muscles and tendons and restricts normal movement.

Scar Revision Procedures

• Steroid Injections – Used to reduce itching and/or pain and flatten and reduce the redness of hypertropic and keloid scars.  Steroids are injected into the scar to break down the skin’s collagen. Both hypertropic and keloid scars are resultant from collagen that continues to over produce after the wound has healed.
• Silicone Gel Sheets – help flatten hypertropic scars. These clear sheets are placed on the scar and worn 24 hours a day.
• Z-Plasty and Related Tissue-Rearrangement Techniques – are used to reorient scars.  This is achieved by cutting the skin around the scar into small triangular flaps following a Z-shape.  The flaps are then repositioned to follow natural lines and creases of the skin making the scar less noticeable and relieving pressure of contracture scars.
• Dermabrasion – smoothes out surface irregularities by removing the top layers of the skin. This works well for deep lines or scars. 
• Vascular Lesion – works by shrinking the blood vessels that feed the scar, thus improving coloration of scars. 
• Tissue Expansion – employs a saline filled balloon that is inserted under a patch of healthy skin near a scar to stretch the skin.  This may take several weeks and the balloon is then removed. The scar is surgically removed and the stretched skin is pulled over the previously scarred area.
• Skin Grafts – involve using skin from a healthy body area and transplanting it to the injured area.  Grafts are not always cosmetically pleasing but they are safe and effective and restore function to a severely scarred area.
• Dermal Filler Injections – are used to fill in sunken scars. Collagen is a naturally occurring substance in our body that acts as a support structure to the skin. Collagen injections are derived from natural animal protein and are safe and effective and used in millions of treatments worldwide.
• Laser Skin Resurfacing – reduces uneven scar surfaces by removing the top layer of skin which allows for new skin growth.

Scar Revision Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is A Good Candidate For Scar Revision?
Any individual who suffers with one of the aforementioned types of scarring, and who is in otherwise good health, may be an ideal candidate for a scar revision procedure.

Can A Scar Be Completely Removed?
No.  Scars are permanent and even though they can be reduced and made to look better they will not go away entirely. The treatments Dr. Cole uses are safe and highly effective and he is able to achieve wonderful, natural looking results.

How Do I Know Which Procedure Is Best For My Scar Revision?
The purpose of your initial consultation with Dr. Cole is to determine what is best for you and to personalize your treatment.  He will evaluate your condition, make recommendations and then help you choose the right option.

Will Insurance Cover Scar Revision?
Insurance may cover your procedure. Check with your insurance provider to determine what will be covered under your plan.

Is Financing Available for Scar Revision?
Yes, financing is available if your procedure is not covered by insurance. We provide financing through two companies, Chase and Care Credit.

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BOARD CERTIFICATION

Dr. Cole is a quadruple board certified surgeon which means he has met the rigorous high standards and training requirements of four medical boards.  This involved several years more of specialized training and experience in all four areas – in addition to medical school, internships, residencies, fellowship training and vast experience. Board certification does not guarantee a certain outcome, but it does ensure specialized training skill and expertise far beyond the norm.
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