You may consider having a type of surgery known as scar revision if you’ve had scarring due to an accident, surgery, or other cause. Scars are primarily caused when the body is injured and needs to repair itself. There are many different types of scars that can be formed and numerous variations of the severity and development of the scars as well. A scar’s severity is dependent on the ways your body responds to injury, how it heals itself, and of course how severe the injury was that caused the scar in the first place.

Scars are formed when the skin is cut, abraded (severely rubbed by friction), burned, or damaged in some way. The recollagenation of the damaged skin results in scarring. Depending on the type of person or injury, some scarring may take the form ofkeloid, hypertrophic, or contractures. The size, depth, blood supply to the damaged skin, thickness, and color of the scars all will affect a person’s decision to undergo scar revision surgery. Some types of keloid scarring can be made worse, however, by scar revision surgery.

Scar revision surgery can only improve the way the scar looks, rather than removing it entirely. No scar can be taken off completely. Scar revision surgery can, however, make your scar much less noticeable, or less severe.

Some scarring may actually decrease naturally from the initial time of injury. Because of these possibilities, you may want to wait for some time (a year or so) before undergoing scar revision surgery. Your scar may diminish in size and severity on its own during that time period.

A good step toward making an informed decision is by talking over your options with a local board certifiedplastic surgeon. The surgeon and their staff will go over all of your options and track your progress while you make the decision to undergo scar revision therapy. Your insurance company may cover some amount of the cost, especially if the scarring is the result of some injury that is not your fault or involves muscular damage.

While undertaking scar revision therapy is generally safe, there are certain risks associated with any surgery. Make sure you discuss all options and possible risks with your surgeon.

There are many different types of scar revision surgery. The type of scar revision surgery you have will depend on the severity of the scarring and your body’s response to the injury. Scar revision may use laser, injections,skin grafts,Z-plasty, or other methods in order to lighten or diminish the scar’s appearance. Remember that all scars are permanent. Scar revision surgery will not get rid of your scar, but it may help conceal it and improve its overall appearance.