At Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists of Newburgh, New York, Dr. Rubinstein performs a variety of scar revision techniques to improve the appearance of facial scars resulting from accident, surgery, burns or acne. Scars can negatively impact one’s self-esteem, particularly when located on visible areas like the face. While scar revision cannot remove scars, it can dramatically improve their appearance.
Scar Revision – The Surgery
There are a variety of techniques which may be used for scar revision including excision, punch grafting, soft tissue augmentation, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and dermabrasion. With excision techniques, the scar tissue is removed and the incision is closed. Punch grafting, which is often used for deep acne scarring, involves the removal of the scar tissue and then either replacing or suturing closed the remaining tissue. Soft tissue augmentation involves injections of collagen, fat or other fillers to plump up depressed scars. Skin resurfacing techniques like laser resurfacing, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and dermabrasion remove the upper layers of scarred tissue to soften the appearance of the scar and make it less visible.
After Surgery: What to Expect
The recovery following scar revision will depend on the particular technique used. There is little to no downtime following soft tissue augmentation and microdermabrasion. Surgical procedures and skin resurfacing will involve a recovery period and patients are generally able to return to work and other normal activities within one to two weeks. Some swelling and bruising may occur depending on the technique used. In many cases, the scar may appear worse at first but it will fade in time.
Possible Complications
The specific risks associated with scar revision will depend on the individual techniques used. Some of the risks include infection, bleeding, adverse anesthesia reaction, and skin contour irregularities.
