Scar Revisions
When the skin is in the process of recovering from an injury, whether the result of an accident, surgery, a burn or acne, scarring will occur wherever multiple layers of the skin have been affected. Many people are self-conscious about facial scars because of where they appear on the face. While some scars may be considered unattractive, others can affect facial expressions and normal functioning of the eyes, mouth or nose. Once a scar forms, it is permanent. But in many cases, it can be made less visible or relocated surgically. Scar revision could improve your appearance, your self-confidence or your level of facial functioning.
Choosing a Qualified Physician
With many different types of aesthetic surgeons in practice today, it is important to make an informed decision when considering an elective or reconstructive procedure. Surgeons who are experts specifically in the areas of the face and neck are called facial plastic surgeons. They are board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). For more than 30 years, the ABFPRS has been actively dedicated to improving the quality of facial plastic surgery available to the public by measuring the qualifications of candidate surgeons against certain rigorous standards. Click here to learn more about facial plastic surgeons.
Dr. Robert J. DeFatta is dual board certified, both by the ABFPRS and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. His extensive training, credentials and experience reflect his commitment to meeting the highest standards of clinical care for his patients. He has dedicated his entire 15-year career to treatment of disorders and cosmetic concerns of the face, head and neck and his scope of practice includes revision of scars in any location from the neck up.
Is Facial Scar Treatment for You?
The goal of a scar revision is to improve the appearance of the scar either by disguising it, relocating it or minimizing its prominence. Skin color and type, age and the type of scarring are all important factors in the discussion prior to surgery. Depending on the size, location, color, depth and age, some scars could be revised using minimal techniques and become barely visible while and others can never be removed completely but can be made less noticeable.
Whether the surgery is desired for functional or cosmetic reasons, choosing a board certified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance. Dr. DeFatta will examine the scar and consider several factors before recommending a proper treatment plan. Because facial scars are each unique and the patient’s attitude toward scars is so personal, maximum improvement may require more than one procedure, and more than one technique may be used. Dr. DeFatta will inform you of outcomes you can expect from your facial scar revision plan.
The most basic requirement for all surgery is good health and realistic expectations of the desired outcome. The agreement between you and your surgeon on how to proceed is a prerequisite for successful surgery. After you both decide to proceed with scar revision surgery, Dr. DeFatta and his team will inform you about the anesthesia, the surgical facility, any supportive surgery options and costs.
Techniques
Based on his expert training and experience, Dr. DeFatta may consider one or more surgical and non-surgical techniques including:
- Steroid injections
- Filler injections (e.g., acne scaring)
- Keloid removal
- Dermabrasion
- Laser resurfacing
- Rearranging scar direction to fit within natural skin lines (e.g., Z-plasty)
- Breaking up straight, long scars (e.g., Geometric broken line)
- Skin and/or cartilage grafting of healthy tissue to the area
What to Expect After Scar Revision Surgery
Depending on the location, size and type of surgery, you may experience some discomfort after facial scar revision surgery. Swelling, bruising and redness are generally unavoidable and Dr. DeFatta will recommend home care to minimize this. Sutures will be removed within days after the surgery, but your skin will continue to heal for up to a year to achieve near full strength and aesthetic improvement.
If you’re self-conscious about a scar on your face or neck and have been considering scar revision, trust your face to the face expert. Call DeFatta Facial Plastics at (715) 828-2368 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our facial plastic surgeon.
