Scar correction

At Spirit Plastic Surgery, scars resulting from surgeries, household or road accidents, and sports injuries can often be more than just cosmetic concerns—they can also lead to functional issues. Our clinic offers high-quality scar revision procedures aimed at improving the aesthetic appearance of scars, helping our patients feel more confident and comfortable in their skin.
How Do Scars Form?
Scars are a natural biological response to skin injury. During the three stages of healing, scars may initially appear thicker and redder, gradually fading over time to ideally become thin, thread-like marks that blend seamlessly into the surrounding skin. It’s important to note that while complete scar removal is impossible, timely and appropriate treatments can significantly improve their appearance.
When is Scar Revision Necessary?
The necessity of scar revision is determined by aesthetic and functional factors. At Spirit Plastic Surgery, we ensure that our patients are fully informed about the need for scar revision and its potential benefits. Scar revision may be recommended in the following cases:
Aesthetic Considerations:
- Noticeable Scars: If a scar has become excessively wide, rough-textured, or protruding, it may be aesthetically disruptive. In such cases, scar revision can help reduce the visibility of the scar and make it harmonize better with the surrounding skin.
- Excessive Pigmentation: Some scars may be abnormally colored, overly red, or hyperpigmented. Treating these scars can improve the cosmetic appearance of the affected area.
Functional Considerations:
- Restricted Movement: Scars located near joints or other areas affecting movement can limit mobility. Scar revision can help restore a full range of motion and reduce discomfort.
- Functional Complaints: If a scar causes sensitivity, pain, or other discomforts that affect daily activities or quality of life, revision surgery may alleviate these issues.
Special Cases:
- Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars: These types of scars tend to overgrow, often causing both aesthetic and functional problems. Keloid scars are especially stubborn and require specialized treatment protocols.
Goals of Scar Revision
The primary goals of scar revision procedures are to reduce the visibility of scars, improve skin texture and elasticity, and resolve functional issues related to the scar. Each procedure is tailored to the patient’s unique needs and the characteristics of their scar.
Types of Scars
- Hypertrophic Scars: These scars are widened, asymmetrically raised, and often flatten or contract at the edges over time. Hypertrophic scars usually form at sites of injury under tension, but they do not extend beyond the original wound borders.
- Atrophic Scars: These are thin, depressed scars caused by the loss of underlying tissue. The surface layer of skin is very fragile, and atrophic scars often result in the loss of natural skin contours, common in areas under significant tension like the back or seborrheic facial skin.
- Keloid Scars: These scars result from an overaccumulation of collagen fibers and can invade surrounding healthy skin. Keloids are firm, raised structures with sharp boundaries and can cause pain, itching, or discomfort.
The Scar Revision Process
At Spirit Plastic Surgery, scar revision procedures are carefully planned and tailored to each patient’s needs using the most advanced surgical techniques to achieve optimal aesthetic results. Every treatment is personalized to ensure the best outcomes.
Scar Revision Procedures
- Hypertrophic and Atrophic Scars: The surgical procedure involves the complete excision of hypertrophic or atrophic scars that are aesthetically disruptive or cause functional issues. The new wound is positioned along the body’s natural tension lines to minimize scar recurrence, and multiple auxiliary incisions may be made to relieve tension on the wound edges. The closure is performed in multiple layers with tissue-sparing techniques to ensure optimal healing.
- Keloid Scars: Treating keloid scars requires a more complex approach. The first step typically involves steroid injections (such as Kenalog or Fluorouracil) to reduce the size and activity of the scar tissue. Topical treatments, like specialized creams and silicone patches, may follow. Surgical correction is only considered after significant improvement, although the success rate varies, and a combination of treatments is often effective.
Preparation for Surgery
- Pre-surgical Preparation: Clinical evaluations, including lab tests, ECG, and X-rays, ensure the patient is in good health for surgery. Patients are encouraged to stop smoking and follow a healthy diet before surgery to optimize wound healing.
- Surgery Day: The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia. The existing scar is excised, and the wound edges are realigned. Dissolvable sutures are used wherever possible to minimize scar visibility and the need for stitch removal.
Post-Scar Revision Recovery and Aftercare
- Rest and Activity Limitation: During the first two weeks after surgery, patients should avoid strenuous physical activity to allow the wound to heal. After three weeks, light exercise may be resumed, and patients can gradually return to normal activities.
- Scar Care Creams: Regular use of scar care creams is recommended to aid healing and reduce scar visibility. These creams help make scars softer, smoother, and less noticeable.
- Sun Protection: New scars are especially sensitive to sunlight. It is essential to protect scars from UV exposure for at least six months post-surgery by using high-SPF sunblock to prevent darkening and ensure optimal aesthetic results.
- Regular Medical Checkups: Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor healing and address any potential complications early. Additional aftercare treatments may be recommended by your surgeon to ensure the best outcome.
Expected Results
Scar revision surgery typically improves the appearance of scars, although complete removal is not possible. However, the procedure can significantly reduce scar visibility and improve skin texture. Shape and contour differences in treated scars may diminish within three months, though final results can take up to a year or more to fully develop.
If you’re ready to improve the appearance of your scars, don’t wait! Schedule a personalized consultation where our specialists will provide detailed information on your scar revision options. Call us directly at +36 1 445 0108, or book an appointment online today! We look forward to helping you feel more confident in your skin.