How to Pick a Scar Removal Procedure

Scars form when the body attempts to heal an injury or infection of the skin. Unfortunately, the skin may heal in a way that causes large or unsightly scars in highly visible places. There are cosmetic surgeries available to remove or reduce the appearance of scars. As with any surgery, scar surgery has risk of complications and individuals should speak with their doctor or surgeon to evaluate the best scar removal surgery for them. According to Otto Joseph Plasik, M.D., the cost of scar removal can range between $300 and $20,000 depending upon the procedure used. The more invasive and complicated the surgery, the more expensive it is.

Instructions

1. Choose a cosmetic scar surgery technique that will work for you, not someone else. It's about evaluating all surgical options and making a decision based on a person's particular skin, the type of scar to be removed and overall health.

2. Try laser therapy as a non-invasive treatment to improve the skin texture and color of a scar. Lasers use heat to cut away scar tissue or resurface the skin. Laser scar removal is often performed on lighter or superficial scars on the face and may be used to lessen acne scarring. The procedure is performed by a derma-surgeon on an outpatient basis. Topical anesthetic cream may be applied before the procedure to reduce discomfort.

3. Look into cryosurgery. The process involves freezing the scar tissue to reduce the size and lessen the appearance of scars. Cryosurgery is usually done on raised scars such as keloids to flatten the skin. Like laser treatments, cryosurgery is performed as an outpatient procedure and a topical pain reliever may be used. For larger scars, a local anesthetic may be recommended.

4. For deep or puckered scars, removal or repositioning of scar tissue may be recommended. Scar repositioning techniques, such as Z-plasty, involve cutting small triangular flaps of skin around the scar and positioning the flaps in such a way that they fall into natural folds of the skin before suturing them. Z-plasty is performed by a surgeon on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.

5. Ask your doctor about skin grafting or skin flaps. They involve removing scar tissue and replacing it with healthy skin from another part of the body. With grafting, the top layer of skin is replaced to promote new growth. Flap surgery involves transferring blood vessels, muscle and fat in addition to the skin to the previously scarred areas. Grafts and flaps are usually considered for severe scars or burn scars to promote new skin growth. Due to the complicated nature of the procedures, general anesthesia is required and patients may stay in the hospital for a couple of days to monitor recovery.

Tips & Warnings

• The goal of scar removal surgery is to reduce the appearance of existing scars and complete removal may not be possible for some scars.

• It's important for individuals recovering from scar removal surgery to follow their doctor's directions completely to improve surgery results and reduce complications.

Resources

• Otto Joseph Plasik, MD: Scar Removal Costs
• The American Academy of Facial and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: Laser Facts