Facial Surgery
Scar Revision
Improving the appearance of facial scars from injuries or previous surgery, making them less noticeable and more in keeping with the face.
Overview
Scar revision covers surgical and non-surgical techniques to improve a scar's width, elevation, direction, or its effect on facial form and movement.
A scar cannot be erased, but it can often be made finer, less conspicuous and better aligned with the natural lines of the face.
Who May Benefit
- Patients with noticeable scars after facial injuries
- Patients with wide or raised scars after previous surgery
- Patients whose scars pull on the eyelid or lip or distort facial features
Conditions Treated
- Wide or depressed scars
- Hypertrophic scars
- Keloids
- Contracted scars distorting facial features
Diagnosis
The scar's type, age and orientation relative to natural facial lines are assessed, along with any effect on eyelid or lip function. A personal or family history of keloids is important, as it changes the treatment plan.
Treatment Planning
Scars generally need 12 to 18 months to mature before final assessment, unless they cause tethering or functional problems. Treatment often combines surgery with adjuncts such as steroid injections, silicone gel or laser.
Surgical Overview
Revision may involve excising the scar and closing it in fine layers, reorienting it to lie within natural facial lines, or breaking a straight line into a less noticeable irregular pattern. Keloids are managed with a distinct plan, usually including injections before and after surgery. Most procedures are performed under local anaesthesia.
Recovery
Sutures are usually removed within a week. The new scar then goes through a red phase that fades over months, and sun protection and wound care are among the most important factors in the final result.
Risks & Considerations
All surgery carries risk. Potential risks are discussed in detail during consultation, and may include:
- Recurrence or widening of the scar
- Hypertrophic scar or keloid formation
- Pigment change
- Infection
- Need for more than one session
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a scar be removed completely?
No technique erases a scar completely; the aim is a finer, less noticeable scar that blends with the face.
When can a recent scar be revised?
It is usually best to wait for the scar to mature, while starting scar care and non-surgical treatment early. Scars that pull on the eyelid or lip may be treated sooner.
The information on this website is for general educational purposes and does not replace a consultation. Suitability for any procedure, and its potential benefits and risks, can only be determined following an individual clinical assessment. Individual results vary.
Discuss your options with Dr. Bakri
A consultation is the first step toward an accurate diagnosis and an individual plan.