Scar Treatment Methods

Scar Treatment Methods

Scar treatment methods aim to improve the appearance and structure of scar tissue, reducing unevenness, contracture, and skin deformation, thereby minimizing the contrast between the scar and the surrounding healthy skin.

Before and after images of patients undergoing scar treatment

Benefits of Scar Treatment

Scar treatment provides multiple benefits:

• Improved skin appearance: Advanced scar treatment methods help improve the skin surface and scar tissue quality, making scars less visible, softer, and closer to healthy skin—though they cannot completely eliminate scar tissue.
• Improved skin health: Scar treatment regimens are typically designed to stimulate collagen production, helping restore and improve skin structure over the long term.
• Improved mobility:  Contracture scars located in unfavorable positions create skin tension around joints, limiting movement in certain body parts. Scar treatment can release this tension, helping restore normal range of motion.
• Improved mental health: Improving the appearance of scars helps enhance patients' self-image and confidence while reducing anxiety about unwanted stares and questions related to scars on their body.

How Scars Form

Scars form when the skin develops new tissue to compensate for and close defects caused by injury. Typically, scars formed by collagen appear dark red initially but gradually fade, creating an abnormal spot on the skin—hyperpigmented scars in people with darker skin tones and pale, faded scars in those with lighter skin.

Types of Problematic Scars Requiring Treatment

When Surgical Scar Treatment Is Needed

Surgical scar treatment is indicated in the following cases:

- Contracture scars: When the scar limits movement or affects the patient's daily function.

- Scars in prominent positions: Large scars located in highly visible areas such as the face, neck, or hands can significantly impact aesthetics and psychology.

- Scars not aligned with natural skin tension lines: When scars lie perpendicular to or do not follow the skin's natural fold lines, making them more noticeable and difficult to heal attractively.

Principles of Scar Reorientation Surgery (Scar Revision Surgery)

Natural Skin Tension Lines are lines across the body that have maximal skin tenstions

Skin retentions line map

In Scar Revision Surgery and cosmetic surgery, surgeons design incision lines along these skin tension lines. When the incision is aligned with natural skin tension lines, the suture's tension is minimized, providing important benefits:

- Optimized scar formation:  Reduces pulling tension on the incision during the healing process.

- Reduced wound contracture: Prevents scar contracture and related complications.

- Improved aesthetics: Post-surgical scars are thin, flat, and blend naturally with surrounding skin.

Scar reorientation surgery aims to change the direction of the original scar to a new scar aligned with skin tension lines, significantly improving both function and aesthetics for the patient.

Scar Reorientation Surgery Procedure detail

Surgical preparation: Patients receive appropriate anesthesia depending on the location, size, and complexity of the scar.

Performing the surgery:

For patients with simple unsightly scars: The surgeon performs scar reorientation surgery using the Z-plasty technique.

Zplasty applied to reorientate scars to align with nasolabial folds

For patients with complex, contracture, or extensive scars: When simple scar reorientation cannot be performed, the surgeon completely removes the scar tissue, then performs skin flap surgery or skin grafting from another area of the body to reconstruct the deficient skin area.

Incision closure: After completing the reorientation or scar reconstruction steps, the surgeon meticulously sutures the incision, ensuring aesthetic results and minimizing the risk of new scar formation.

Recovery Process and Post-Operative Care

Complete recovery takes approximately 12 months. Strict adherence to the surgeon's instructions during this period is extremely important for achieving optimal results.

During the first 10 days:

• The treatment area will have swelling and bruising that subsides within 1 week.
• Sutures are removed within 10 days.
• Minimize movements that create tension on the surgical area.

During the first 2 months:

• Limit exercise and heavy lifting.
• Light work may be resumed after 2 weeks.

General precautions:

• Maintain hygiene and keep the treated area dry.
• Apply prescribed ointment as directed by your surgeon.
• Limit activities that stretch the wound and treatment area
• Protect the area carefully when going outside, avoiding sun exposure and dust contact with the wound.
• Attend all follow-up appointments on time so your surgeon can monitor progress.

* The final results also depends on individual's physiology.