San Francisco Scar Revision
As skin heals after an injury or surgery, skin cells rapidly multiply and scar tissue forms. The amount and extent of scar formation is highly dependent on factors such as the type of injury, type of incision, style of wound closure, experience of the surgeon, genetics, patient age, and skin pigmentation. Patients that experience delayed or prolonged healing of a wound or incision may also have excessive skin tissue formation that develops into a thickened or keloid scar over the original site. Many men and women have scars on their face or other areas that were unavoidable as a wound healed, but remain unsightly and unwanted. Dr. Roy Kim, a San Francisco plastic surgeon in San Francisco, offers scar revision as an effective and efficient way to improve skin damage.
There are a variety of treatments and procedures available for scar revision in San Francisco, depending on the type and extent of the skin deformity. Large scars, hypertrophic scars, or keloid scars may require steroid injections, silicone sheeting, special anti-scar lotsions, or laser resurfacing. While many large skin deformities cannot be erased completely, excess scar tissue can be removed and camouflaged to blend in with smoother surrounding skin. Dr. Kim will work with the contours of your face or body to ensure that the new healing site falls along existing skin folds and is less visible.
Scar revision may take place while the patient is awake with local anesthetic. If you require extensive revisions, you may need to be sedated with general anesthesia like any other surgical operation. As with any invasive operation, there are possible risks and side effects including bleeding, infection, blood clots, scar recurrence, anesthesia reaction, keloid formation, or separation of the wound.
After your procedure, the area is usually covered with light dressing. Stitches will be removed within 1-2 weeks. Recovery usually involves a certain amount of redness, bruising or swelling. Post-operative care instructions include avoiding the sun, using sunblock, and avoiding strenuous activities that may stretch the new wound site or cause delayed healing. Smoking is an extremely common cause of delayed wound healing in many patients that undergo facial surgery. It is essential to quit smoking several months or longer before and after the operation to ensure the blood vessels in your face can deliver enough oxygen to heal the incision.
Men and women that are good candidates for this type of procedure are those with well-healed or light scars. Keloid formation is common in certain genetic lineages (FYI- ethnic groups may be a better term than genetic lineages) and is an unusually excessive amount of scar tissue formation. Keloid scars are relatively easy to remove, but can be resistant to treatment and may return. Other scars that can be revised include those that occur at awkward angles on the skin, thickened scars, contracture of tendons, or excess tissue that causes distortion of features or impedes normal movement and function.
Patients looking for information on scar revision in San Francisco, should contact Dr. Kim and his team today. They will be happy to arrange a personalized consultation and outline treatment options that will fit your needs.
