SCAR ON THE FACE -  Surgery of Facial Scars

When the skin is in the process of recovering from any injury (accident, surgery, burns, or acne) scarring will occur. Once a scar forms, it is permanent and most people are self-conscious about facial scars. Facial plastic surgery helps to make scars less noticeable and hence boost your self esteem.

What is a scar?

A scar results from the biologic process of wound repair in the skin. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. The composition of a scar may vary - appearing flat, lumpy, sunken, colored, painful, or itchy.

Is Facial Scar Treatment For You?

A person considering facial scar revision must understand that there is no way to remove scars completely. The goal is to improve the appearance of the scar either by disguising it, relocating it, or minimizing its prominence. Skin color and type, age, and the type of scarring, are all important factors and are a part of the discussion prior to surgery.

Maximum improvement in facial scars may require more than one procedure, and more than one technique may be employed. Scar revision should not be done for a period of 6 months after the injury. This interval allows the body enough time to heal fully.

Understanding the Surgery

Often the scar is simply cut out and closed with tiny stitches, leaving a thinner, less noticeable scar. If the scar lies across the natural skin creases (or "lines of relaxation") the surgeon may be able to reposition it with a "Z-plasty", to run parallel to these lines, where it will be less conspicuous.

Acne scars which per se are of three main types (icepick, rolling and boxcar) are generally removed with punch excision or subcutaneous excision (subcision) in which the base of the depressed scar is released from the underlying structures.

Dermabrasion and laser resurfacing are methods a surgeon uses to make "rough or elevated" scars less prominent, by removing part of the upper layers of skin with an abrading tool or laser light.

Keloid or hypertrophic scars are treated first with injections of steroids/ silicon sheet/pressure therapy to reduce size. If these maneuvers do not produce good results, then options available are surgical removal/ radiotherapy.

What to Expect After the Surgery

There is some discomfort (swelling, bruising and redness) after facial scar revision surgery. It is advisable to avoid any activity that places undue stress on the area of the incision. Sun exposure has to be minimized. It is important to remember that scar tissues require about a year to fully heal and achieve maximum improved appearance.

Advice

"Prevention is better than cure" - The ultimate appearance of the scar is much better if it is taken care of by a specialist right from the time of injury. Dr K.D.Aneja M.Ch Plastic surgery (PGI).