It's hard to hide a scar, particularly if it is on a frequently seen part of your body, such as your face or hand. A scar reduction or revision procedure can reduce the size of your scar or make it less noticeable. Your doctor will determine which type of revision procedure to use to treat your scar based on the scar type.
Scar Types
Atrophic scars, also called pock marks, are tiny skin depressions that may form if you have had acne. Hypertrophic scars develop over the site of your wound and may be raised, red or firm. Keloid scars grow beyond the wound site and are raised, firm and red, and may be painful or itchy. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that keloids commonly develop on areas of the body containing little underlying fatty tissue, such as the neck, ears, face, shoulders or chest.
Contractures form when an injury or burn causes significant tissue loss. These scars may also develop if the wound occurs over a joint. As contractures heal, the tissue and skin pull together too tightly, limiting movement of the affected body part and causing pain.
Treatment
Doctors use dermabrasion, chemical peeling or laser therapy to remove the top layers of the skin and make raised or rough scars smoother and less noticeable. If you have a concave or atrophic scar, your doctor may recommend using a injectable filler to fill in the depressed area. Steroid injections can reduce the size of hypertrophic or keloid scars in some cases. If the injections don't reduce these scars significantly, surgery may be needed. Doctors also use surgery to reduce very large scars or increase your range of motion if a contracture affects normal movement of your body. Skin grafts may be needed if the scar is so large that the remaining skin can't completely cover the incision when the scar is removed.
Considerations
The American Academy of Facial and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery reports that some surgeons advise against any scar revision in cases of injury for a period of up to one year following an injury. Waiting to undergo a scar revision procedure allows your body enough time to heal completely.
Recovery
Your doctor may prescribe oral pain medication to relieve pain and other medication to encourage healing in the days following scar revision treatment. You may notice redness or swelling at the scar site for one or two weeks or longer following treatment, no matter what type you choose. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends carefully following your doctor's instructions and avoiding subjecting your scar to abrasion, excessive force or motion during healing.
Results
Treatment may result in a new, smaller scar, which may take months to heal. Although your scar may be less obvious than before, you may still notice some redness until the new scar fades. If your scar is very large, more than one procedure may be needed for best results.
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