Scar Surgery Before and After

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Scar revision surgery or Burn contracture surgery is a procedure performed to improve the appearance of scars, restore skin function, or reduce discomfort caused by injury, surgery, burns or trauma. While no scar can be completely erased, revision surgery can significantly soften, flatten, lighten, or realign scars to make them less visible and more natural-looking.

The approach varies based on the type, location, and severity of the scar, and may involve excision, layered closure, skin flaps, grafting, or resurfacing techniques.

• Hypertrophic or keloid scars (raised, itchy, thick)
   
• Contracture scars or function-limiting scars from burns or trauma
   
• Wide or sunken surgical scars
  
• Asymmetric or distorted scars

Before surgery:  Medications that cause bleeding or easy bruisability like anticoagulants should be stopped 1-2 weeks prior to surgery.

Anesthesia: local anesthesia or general anesthesia depending on the extent of surgery

Incision: Scar revision surgery is done to improve the appearance or function of an existing scar by removing the old scar tissue under local or general anesthesia. In simple cases, the scar is excised and the skin is carefully re-stitched in a more favorable direction to heal with a thinner, less noticeable line. For more complex or larger scars, reconstruction may require techniques such as local skin flaps or skin grafts to close the area and achieve a smoother, more natural-looking result.

Procedure Time:  1-3 hours depending on severity

• Post-op Course: Oral antibiotics and pain reliever are taken for a week.  Expect swelling for 1-2 weeks.  Frequent ice compress is advised to help with the swelling.  

• Suture Removal: sutures are removed after 7 days for the face, and after 10-14 days for the body
   
• Downtime: 7-14 days for swelling; most can return to work after procedure

• Scarring:  scars are usually visible for 1-3 months and will gradually fade over 6-12 months.  Silicone gel or silicone patch are advised after surgery to improve scar formation.  Steroid injection may also be done post-op depending on the case history.
   
• Results: the scar will be removed after surgery, however continuous treatment for future scar formation must be done especially for keloid patients

Q: Can old scars still be revised?
A: Yes. Scar tissue can often be improved even years after the initial injury or surgery.

Q: Will the scar go away completely?
A: No scar can be erased fully, but revision makes it significantly less noticeable in most cases.

Q: Do you treat keloids or hypertrophic scars?
A: Yes. Treatment may include excision + steroid injections, pressure therapy, or adjunct laser treatments for keloid control.

Q: Is the procedure painful?
A: Most revisions are done under local anesthesia, and post-op discomfort is minimal.

As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Aicee Bernal combines medical expertise with artistic skill to perform precise scar revisions that focus on both form and function. She tailors each procedure to your unique skin type, scar history, and aesthetic goals.

Don’t let visible or painful scars affect your comfort or confidence.
Schedule a scar revision consultation with Dr. Aicee Bernal, and explore your options for safe, personalized, and artistic scar correction by a trusted plastic surgeon.