Scar Revision
Conveniently located to serve Tacoma and Seattle
Dr. Roy Semlacher recommends scar revision to Tacoma patients looking to change the appearance of an existing scar. Improving the appearance of a scar can ultimately restore normal functionality to the affected part of the body, as well as enhance the patient’s overall physical appearance.
What Is Scar Revision?
During the body’s natural healing processes, scars are often created in order to replace damaged or lost skin tissues. This fibrous tissue replacement can develop on any area of the body following an injury and can be lumpy, flat, pigmented, or sunken.
A scar revision treatment is intended to minimize the appearance of this fibrous tissue. Scar revision procedures vary based on the type of the scar and may involve multiple modalities to achieve optimal results.
Am I A Good Candidate for Scar Revision?
You are an ideal candidate for scar revision if you want to get rid of scars, are in good physical health, do not smoke, and have realistic and optimistic expectations of what the procedure can do for you.
You may not be qualified to undergo the treatment if you have active skin conditions like acne, are pregnant, or have clotting or bleeding disorders.
What Happens During a Scar Revision Consultation?
During the consultation, Dr. Roy Semlacher will ask about your medical history, including past surgical procedures, past and current medical conditions, and medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking.
Expect the doctor to inspect the severity of the scars, recommend various options, take measurements and photos, and answer your questions. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to help you feel assured. Be prepared to discuss why you want scar revision, your expectations, and your desired results.
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What Are the Different Types of Scars and How Can Scar Revision Help Treat Them?
- Keloid scars are thick and irregular clusters of scar tissue that develop on the site of injury, and often extend beyond the edges of the wound itself. These scars are noticeably darker in color than the surrounding skin and could develop a long time after the injury was incurred. Scar revision for keloid scars includes the use of the following:
- Cryotherapy to freeze off the scar using certain types of medication
- Pressure therapy is the application of a steady force over the area of the scar to improve its appearance
- Steroid injections administered directly into the scar tissue are believed to help reduce the size of keloid scars
- If a keloid scar proves to be unresponsive to these types of conventional treatments, surgery could be used to remove the scar. Skin grafting is often used in conjunction with this method to replace missing skin tissue.
- Laser surgery can be used to smooth out a keloid scar, flatten it and lighten the pigmentation to improve its appearance.
- Hypertrophic scars are like keloid scars, but they only grow within the boundaries the original injury. They also begin to develop a few short weeks after injury and are expected to improve over time. Steroid injections are the scar revision method of choice for managing hypertrophic scarring. They may also be removed using surgical techniques.
- Contractures are scarred tissues that develop when a larger expanse of skin is injured or lost. The resulting scar pulls the edges of the damaged skin together creating a tightly stretched patch of skin. This type of scarring can affect the underlying muscles, tendons, and joints and result in restricted movement. Score revision in this case includes:
- Skin grafting involves harvesting a portion of healthy skin from a separate donor site in the patient’s body and attaching this to the affected area where the scar tissue used to be.
- Skin flaps are similar to skin grafts, but the harvested steam is retrieved with the blood supply intact.
- One of the newest techniques used in scar revision is tissue expansion, which involves reconstructing the affected area to increase the amount of available tissues.
What Is Recovery Like?
After the procedure, you might feel slight discomfort, redness, and swelling. Post-treatment instructions must be followed closely, starting with going home and resting. It helps to stay hydrated and avoid sun exposure.
Getting a single scar revision treatment can show a difference in your scars, but you might need more than one visit to the doctor’s office for multiple treatment sessions; this will depend on the severity of the scars. It may take several weeks for the results to show and the scars to heal completely.
How Much Does Scar Revision Cost?
The price of scar revision depends on several factors. The type of scar you want to treat, the size of the scar, and the complexity of your scar revision procedure will impact the overall cost. You will be provided with pricing details once Dr. Semlacher has developed your unique treatment plan.
Arrange Your Consultation
Contact our office to find out which treatment option is best for your scar revision in Tacoma. During a consultation, Dr. Roy Semlacher will be happy to tell you more about treatment details, including cost, preparation, and recovery. Schedule your appointment today.
