Fade and reduce your scars in Austin, TX

Many people are self-conscious about their scars, whether these are caused by an accident, surgery or a skin condition such as acne. Scars are your body’s natural way of healing after an injury, and many different types of scars exist - they can appear lumpy, flat, sunken, pale or colored. You may feel that a scar detracts from your beauty or attracts attention. Scar revision includes a variety of techniques that will help fade your scar and make it less visible while restoring function to a body part that may have been restricted by the scar.

Make scars less visible And overview of scar revision

At Austin Plastic Surgery Institute, we can help you move forward after a surgery, an accident, or to finally remove old scar tissue with scar revision surgery. A scar is a constant reminder of a wound that once existed. As a scar can be located anywhere on the body, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and may be raised or recessed, many patients wish to reduce the appearance of a scar that causes insecurity.

We are here to help you feel confident.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons in Austin, TX want to help you feel more confident if you have visible scars. Scar revision treatment is a cosmetic surgery that helps minimize the appearance of a scar and improve skin condition. It’s important to have realistic expectations. This procedure can reduce the appearance of a scar, but it will not make it completely disappear. We can also limit the damage of Mohs surgery (excision treatment for skin cancer) and limit the severity of skin damage that surgery can cause.

Types of scars

There are various methods available to treat scars, but it helps to first understand the different kinds of scars.

Superficial scars are the subtlest type of scars. They do not cause any issue other than an unsightly appearance.
Keloid scars are larger, painful scars, which are often discolored and tend to extend beyond the edges of a wound.
A hypertrophic scar does not extend beyond the wound, but it continues to become larger, thicker, and more painful over time.
A contracture scar develops over a larger section of skin creating a tight feel and impairing one’s ability to move. A severe burn is an example of this.

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Different types of scar revision

Scar revision treatment will be chosen based on the scar’s location, type, size and overall extent. There are various techniques to consider.

Shave excision

For scars that are raised, a shave excision may be performed to remove the top of the scar and even out the surface with the rest of the skin.

This creates a smoother, flatter appearance. During the procedure, a surgical shaver is used to slowly shave off the raised portion of the scar. Sutures are not needed in most shave excision cases.

Scar removal/modification

This is also a technique used for raised scars. It can be accomplished in a few different ways. First is the elliptical removal pattern. This involves removing the scar as well as an edging (ellipse) of skin encompassing the scar so a clean enclosure can be made. The sutures may be placed on the inside or outside of the skin. Sometimes a scar exists because the incision was closed poorly. By reopening the scar and re-suturing the skin in a different direction, the new scar can be minimized.

Skin grafting or tissue expansion

Large scars may require a skin graft (skin taken from another area on the body) to close the wound once the scar has been removed. Carefully placed sutures will be used around the graft to close and blend the skin together for healing. If a skin graft will not be used, tissue expansion may be used instead. During this process, a tissue expander will be placed under the skin where the scar resides and filled with a sterile solution. Once the expansion process is complete, your surgeon will stretch and join the edges together and place sutures carefully into the tissue wall.

Injectable treatments

Scars that are depressed or concave may benefit from a filler material known as injectable dermal filler. There are a wide variety of fillers on the cosmetic surgery market that may be considered. Collagen is a common filler used for scar revision.

During the procedure, the injectable material will be injected into the skin through a syringe. Your surgeon may manipulate the outside of the skin to help shape the surface accordingly.

Surface treatments

Some scars can be treated with a series of skin rejuvenation treatments which can soften the surface of the skin, smooth out uneven scarring, reduce uneven pigmentation and lighten the skin where needed. Some scars may even disappear completely because of the skin removal mechanism. Skin surface treatments include laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, dermabrasion and skin bleaching.

What is the surgery like?

All scar revision procedures are performed in our accredited surgical facility. Some procedures will require general anesthesia, but most will only need local anesthesia. Following this procedure, you will need to adhere to a daily scar treatment regimen so the wound site and new scar can heal.

It is important to protect this area of skin from sun exposure to avoid any further skin discoloration. While this treatment does not fully remove a scar, the visible imperfections are certainly minimized. Most patients feel more confident exposing the section of skin where the unsightly scar once resided.

Superior patient care combined with cutting-edge technology

At Austin Plastic Surgery Institute, our goal is to treat you as if you were family. Our entire staff is dedicated to taking care of you and making you feel welcome, cared for and confident. All our doctors are board-certified and highly experienced.

True experts at their craft, our surgeons have the knowledge and expertise required to blend and combine the newest and most advanced surgical techniques to help you achieve your unique aesthetic goals.

We are personally involved in all aspects of treatment, from consultations to follow-ups. Your happiness, safety and satisfaction are our highest priorities.

Scar Revision in Austin