TREATMENTS | SCAR REVISION
Scar Revision
Trauma or any type of surgery often leaves scar on skin. For such condition, scar revision helps remove unwanted scar.
Scar revision is not to regenerate destroyed skin cells but to create smooth skin appearance by removal of destroyed skin cells.
Proper name for this procedure is scar corrective procedure or scar enhancement procedure.
Types of Scar
There are many different types of scars in different forms.
Before and After
Scar Correction
Suture followed by scar removal can reduce obvious appearance of existing scars.
Redness around surgical site fades after 6 months of operation, and surgical scar also gradually disappears.
W-Shaped Incision w-shaped incision is made on scars to scatter pulling force on skin and change its shape so that the scar will appear less obvious. This method is frequently used to remove scars on forehead, temples, cheeks, and chin. W-shaped suture may be seen more obvious than scar, but as a surgical scar gradually disappears, the original scar fades as well.
Z-Shaped Incision Z-shaped incision in made on scar to relocate the surrounding tissue.
It improves its condition by scattering pulling force on skin and changing the original shape of scar.
This method removes scars on front neck, lips, eyelids, and armpits. Z-shaped suture may be seen more obvious than scar, but as surgical scar gradually disappears, the original scar fades as well.
Oval Shaped Incision Oval shaped incision is made on scar including surrounding tissue to remove the entire scar. This method is generally used for small size scars or scars with the same texture as normal skin. Surgical scar may be seen immediately, but it becomes invisible along with original scar site.
Tissue Expansion
Scars from severe trauma may restrict joint movement due to pulling force of skin. Tissue expansion improves such condition by using expanding machine to cover the scar with skin tissue.
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Insert expander under the normal skin around the scar.
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Expand the normal skin by inserting saline solution at intervals of about 1 ~2 weeks.
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Resect scar, cover the resected site with expanded skin, and suture.
Skin Graft
When scars are too big to be treated with scar correction, skin graft may be used.
After removing all destroyed skin tissue, normal skin from unnoticeable places such as hips or scalp is grafted on the site.
However, since skin has different characteristics from different parts, special treatment to press the grafted site is required in order to prevent deformity of grafted skin. When patients have not enough excess skin to be grafted, skin flap graft is used. After resecting scar, skin with blood vessels is grafted on to the resected site followed by vessel connection to the underlying vessels.
Post-Operative Instruction
1
Apply ice pack frequently for 2-3 days after surgery. This will help reduce swelling and pain.
4
Surgical site may appear red for 2-3 months and gradually disappears. We kindly suggest you to stay positive and patient through the recovery process.
2
Using bandages for scar prevention for 3-4 weeks after stitch removal helps prevent formation of surgica scar.
5
You should apply sun blocks to the surgical site to prevent exposure to sun lights.
3
Individuals with hypertrophic and Keloid condition must use silicone sheet for 1-2 months to prevent recurrence of scar.
6
For the most effective results, operation may be divided into two sessions. Interval between each operation may take 3-4 months.