An essential part of the body's natural healing process, scars are the result of the skin's repair of wounds caused by accident, disease, or surgical incision. The more the skin is damaged and the longer it takes to heal, the greater the chance of a noticeable scar. A scar's visibility will depend on a number of factors, including its difference in topography or color from the surrounding normal skin i.e. color, texture, depth, as well as its length, width, direction and location on the body. If the skin scar adheres to deeper structures such as muscle or bone the skin may bunch up with animation or movement as it is tethered to deeper structures.

The modalities employed to make scars less noticeable include changing scar direction so it lies within a normal skin crease or fold, debulking procedures, scar taping, scar massage, local steroid injection, medical grade skin tatoos (such as tattooing a beard stubble on a man to hide a scar), dermabrasion, collagen injections, chemical peels, cryosurgery, application of a pressure dressing or silastic sheeting, laser treatments and separation of the skin scar from deeper structures. The collective term for these is scar revision, repair, treatment or surgery. Which technique or combination of techniques to apply for the best result requires a qualified trained physician. The required skill set is complimentary to and overlaps with skills required in the performence of cosmetic procedures by plastic surgeons but are not exactly the same. Each patient is different as is his or her scar and mechanism of injury necessitating an individualized approach for each patient. For optimal results the scar revision repair patient may need to be seen on a regular basis for as long as 6 or more months.

This patient was injured in a motor vehicle accident. Scar revision or repair involved removing a wedge of scar tissue and damaged lip and then realigning the lip margins. Although the exact skin condition prior to the inciting injury cannot be reached vast improvement is possible.

Scar repair or revision can enhance your appearance and your self confidence. Realistic expectations are important to be happy with any surgery. As each patient is an individual, different results can be expected in each patient.

Dr. Aaron Stone

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2080 Century Park East, Suite 1110
Century City, Los Angeles, CA. 90067-2014
310-843-9021
Near Beverly Hills