Scar Revision & Removal Surgery
Surgical Scar Removal Procedure
Scars may result from a number of different conditions or circumstances, including burns, acne, injuries, and skin conditions. While scars are formed through the body’s incredible natural healing process, many people feel self-conscious or unhappy with their appearance and would prefer to have them removed or their appearance minimized. Thankfully, there are a number of safe, effective procedures that can reduce the visibility of scar tissue or remove it altogether.
Depending on the type and condition of the scar tissue being treated, the procedure may consist of laser resurfacing, radiofrequency resurfacing, PRP or PRFM applied topically or injected, cortisone injections, surgical scar revision, subcision, or a tailored combination of techniques.
Embrace is a scar therapy consisting of silicone sheets that have a mechanism to decrease the tension on the wound (not the same as regular silicone sheets, which lack the tension reduction benefit).
Dr. Patel typically recommends starting the therapy two weeks after surgery, and applying weekly for eight weeks (The sheets last anywhere from five to nine days for most patients).
The thought behind this dressing is that by reducing tension on the wound, the incision is less likely to be hyperpigmented, raised, wide, et cetera. While it is considered optional (and not covered by insurance), Dr. Patel has noticed beneficial results in patients using Embrace.
Local, Local with Sedation, or General
Please Note: These are general estimates that may or may not apply to you individually.
We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, cash, and cashier checks. We also work with two third-party financing companies, Care Credit and Alphaeon Credit. You can find more information and apply for credit online using the links below.
During your consultation, Dr. Anita will take time to learn more about your motivations and goals, understand your concerns, and discuss the treatment in detail. She will go through your medical history and perform a physical exam in order to determine the best plan to reach your goals, and make sure you are a good candidate.
If the scar revision requires surgery, the day of surgery, Dr. Anita will meet with you in the pre-operative area, review the planned procedure, and mark the surgical site. This is also a time you can go over any additional questions you may have prior to surgery. (If the scar can be improved with a nonsurgical method, the discussion and procedure would be done in the office.)
After the procedure, you will be provided with postoperative care instructions, and instructions for follow-up. Dr. Anita will see you for the first followup visit at a time determined by the procedure or surgery performed.
Scar tissue is fibrous tissue that results from the wound healing process that is kick-started by injury to the tissue, and is composed of collagen fibers that over time remodel. Surgical incisions also result in scars, because even though they are controlled, they are still an “injury” to your tissue.
The main reasons a scar turns dark are sun exposure during the healing phase, or simply one’s genetics in relation to wound healing.
Scar tissue can be removed, but keep in mind any new incision or injury creates new scar. Thus, the goal when removing scar tissue is doing so in a manner that would allow for an improved appearance of the newly resulting scar.
The best scar treatment depends on where in the healing process the scar is at the time of treatment. For new scars, reducing tension and applying silicone are most beneficial, and massaging with oil can also be helpful. Once a scar has developed, treatments such as microneedling or laser or radiofrequency resurfacing, with or without PRP or PRFM, are options to lessen the visibility of the scar.
Surgery can get rid of existing scars, with the goal of replacing them with less noticeable scars. There is no such thing as surgery without scars, but the scars may be so faint they are nearly imperceptible.
Scar revision is surgical removal of part or all of a scar, and often involves reducing tension on the site, and/or reorienting the resulting scar.
Plastic surgeons remove scars by first analyzing what factors contributed to the current appearance of the scar, surgically excising the problematic areas of scar, and closing the incisions in a way to reduce scarring. Additionally, measures such as postoperative scar therapy and/or steroid injections or other modalities may be used to optimize wound healing.
Scar removal cost varies depending on a number of factors, such as the length of the scar, location of the scar, and type of anesthesia required. To provide you with accurate pricing information, we invite you to book a complimentary Pre-Consult Phone Call with our Patient Care Coordinator by calling 310-205-0212. During that phone call, important information will be discussed and ballpark pricing will be provided.
Anyone who has a scar that can be improved in appearance. Scar revision in Beverly Hills specifically involves surgically removing an old scar, and replacing it with a scar that is less noticeable. There are also nonsurgical techniques to improve the appearance of a scar, such as fractional laser resurfacing, IPL to improve red/brown pigment from scars, Morpheus8 RF + Microneedling, to help color and texture, and more.
The most common reasons for scar revisions are to improve upon a scar that is raised or puffy (hypertrophic scar), discolored (pink/red/brown/purple), pulling on adjacent skin or underlying tissue, indented or depressed compared to adjacent tissue, widened in appearance, or located or oriented in a poor position.
Bad scars can be the result of trauma or surgery, so simply influenced by genetics after an otherwise minor issue. There are many reasons people form bad scars, and some of the causes can be controlled (how a wound is closed, what active measures are taken to optimize conditions), and some cannot be controlled (your genetics and how well you heal).
The good thing is there is often a way to make scars better, and there are also measures you can take to give your scar the best chance at healing well (products to decrease tension such as Embrace, sun protection, silicone gels, et cetera).
If a scar resulted from otherwise favorable conditions (appropriate surgical closure, lack of tension on the wound, good postoperative care), it is possible the resulting bad scar is simply a function of genetics and you just make bad scars.
If this is suspected, a scar revision in Beverly Hills may not be indicated. Also, even if conditions were not favorable, if a surgery is not expected to improve upon the current appearance, it would not be recommended.
Your consultation Dr. Patel will outline what would be the expected outcome of a scar revision in your particular case, and let you know whether scar revision is advised or not.
