A scar is the body’s attempt to heal itself after an injury. In many instances, a wound heals with minimal evidence of a scar. Unfortunately, in other cases, the prominence or the site of a scar detracts from a person’s appearance.
Scar modification can be achieved by performing minor surgical procedures. During surgical revision, the scar tissue is excised. Next, the surrounding skin is carefully brought together with very fine sutures, to minimize tension and maximize contact at the healthy surfaces. In this manner, wider scars are narrowed, and longer scars are shortened.
Surgical revision can change the size of a scar, raise depressed areas, or lower elevated scars. While it is not possible to remove all evidence of a scar, revision procedures improve the appearance while leaving another (though less obvious) scar in its place. The redness associated with a scar revision usually fades over weeks to months. Because every scar is different and requires a different approach, a consultation with the surgeon is needed to determine the best course to treat your scar. Scar revision is performed in our clinic using local anaesthesia, using radio frequency equipment.
Punch Grafts:
Punch grafting is often the best treatment for deep acne scars (“icepick” scars). Here a small instrument to remove the scar. Then, the site is filled with a new plug of skin. The new skin is secured into place for about seven days to permit healing. In other cases, the edges of the wound are re-approximated closely with sutures. With either method, the new scar will have a smoother contour and less apparent than the depressed scar. Some individuals with significant acne scarring may be candidates for grafting followed by laser resurfacing to give the entire face a smoother, fresher appearance.