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Scar Reduction Surgery

Electing cosmetic surgery is all about making a conscious decision to improve your psychological well-being by improving your physical appearance. If you have suffered through an accident and are living with an unsightly scar, scar reduction surgery might be what you need to help get your life back on track.

  1. Scar Reduction Surgery

    • Scar reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure most often performed under local anesthetic to alter or reduce the severity of scar tissue on the body. According to Dr. Mitchel Goldman, scars form where the body's natural healing process is interfered with, leaving it unable to properly restore the wound site to its original state.

    Types

    • There are two main types of scar reduction surgery--manual surgical procedure and laser-assisted surgery. Manual procedures use the traditional "scalpel approach" to excise some of the scar tissue and reduce the scar's appearance. Laser-assisted surgery uses a high-energy beam to burn away the scar tissue, along with some of the surrounding skin, so that the area can have another chance to properly heal.

    Considerations

    • Not all scars are eligible for reduction surgery. The primary types with which scar reduction surgery is effective are keloids (tissue raised above the surface of the skin, extending beyond the original site), hypertrophic (raised pinkish scar tissue over the original site), and atrophic (commonly known as "pockmarks").

    Complications

    • As with any surgical procedure there is the possibility of complications. These include the risk of allergic reactions, infections, or skin discoloration despite the removal of the scar. Keep in mind that the likelihood of complications can be reduced (but never eliminated) by choosing a more experienced surgeon.

    Benefits

    • The primary benefit to scar reduction surgery is an increase in well-being, as you will no longer feel self-conscious about the scar. Note that no form of scar removal surgery is flawless, so do not expect to see a complete restoration of your former skin. Even laser surgery can reduce signs of scarring by only about 50 percent to 80 percent, so consult with your physician to ensure that your expectations are reasonable before considering this procedure.

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