For some people, a scar is a reminder of an adventure or other positive experiences. For others, however, scarring is simply unsightly or a reminder of something they would rather forget. If you or a loved one are unhappy with scars, keloids, or other skin imperfections, there are several options that a facial plastic surgeon can offer. Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Russell offers revision surgeries as well as other types of scar treatment to people in the Charleston area.
What Is Scar Revision Surgery?
Although all types of surgery can leave a scar, some scars appear more unsightly than others. The scar may be puckered, excessively large, have a keloid, or otherwise be unattractive for a variety of reasons. In addition, some scars can interfere with natural movement and expressions. There are several things that can cause this, including poor wound healing and less meticulous surgical techniques. A revision surgery aims to surgically change a scar so that it blends in with surrounding skin and interferes less with one’s natural appearance and beauty.
There are several types of scar treatment. Some are topical; others require injections. However, the most effective way to change the appearance of a scar is to perform surgery. These surgeries generally remove excessive scarring or keloids and leave patients with a small scar that is less noticeable.
Getting it right the first time: This patient sustained lacerations from a dog bite to her chin, which Dr. Russell repaired shortly after the bite occurred. Eight weeks later, the scars were nearly invisible and no further treatment was required.
How Is Scar Revision Surgery Performed?
Dr. Russell will first evaluate the scar and how it is affecting your appearance and symmetry. If possible, he will then plan for restorative surgery. The exact surgical approach is custom-tailored to each patient’s needs. This approach can include tissue rearrangement, grafting, and the removal of excessive tissue. After these are performed, the wound will be closed using advanced modern wound closure techniques. Unlike older techniques, this approach often leaves people with a small, thin scar that is flat and blends much better with the surrounding tissues.
Keloid surgery is often less complicated because it simply requires removing a keloid in a way that leaves as little residual scarring as possible. Dr. Russell will educate you about ways to prevent future keloid formation on your new, healthy scar.
Depending on the complexity of the surgery required, these procedures are performed either in the office with local anesthesia or under general anesthesia at a surgical center. The recovery time varies according to the extent of the surgery itself. Dr. Russell also offers non-surgical approaches to reduce the appearance of scarring, which can also be used on the new, less intrusive scar if more reduction is desired.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Scar or Keloid Revision Surgery?
There are several people for whom this kind of surgery can be beneficial. First, people with scars that are large, uneven, or have keloid growths benefit most from this kind of procedure. Facial scars that cause asymmetry or interfere with facial expressions are also often are improved with revision surgery. These procedures also can make a noticeable difference with traumatic scars such as those from dog bites or accidents.
A good candidate is a person who is unhappy with scarring or keloid growth and willing to take the effort needed to ensure healthy scar healing in the future. It is important to be realistic about the results of this surgery; although it will leave a smaller and less noticeable scar in most cases, it will still leave some scarring.
Scar Revision Consultation
If you are interested in this procedure, the next step is to talk to a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with experience in scar reduction procedures. Dr. Joseph Russell is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. After a five-year residency, he was accepted to and completed a prestigious facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship in New York City. He offers a variety of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures to people in his hometown of Charleston as well as the surrounding areas. A consultation with Dr. Russell is the next step to finding out more about scar and keloid revision surgeries.
To learn more about scar revision surgery or to book your consultation today, contact Dr. Russell’s office today by calling his Office at (843) 576-3302 or by completing an online consultation form.