A practiced board-certified plastic surgeon is more than capable of minimizing scars and hiding them away in areas where they are less noticeable. However, not every surgeon has this skill. You may encounter unsightly scarring as a result of general surgery, unavoidable injury, or keloiding. So, can surgery remove scars?

Can Surgery Remove Scars?

In all three cases, there are procedures available that can reduce the visibility of your existing scarring. You are unlikely to erase them completely, but a good plastic surgeon will be able to make them a lot less offensive to your aesthetic.

If those results sound worthwhile to you, you should contact your board-certified cosmetic surgeon to learn more about scar revision in Houston. For now, these are the basics.

What Is Keloiding?

An injury or less than ideally sutured wound is easy enough to understand, but keloiding is a specific condition that you may or may not be familiar with.

A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that causes scars to appear enlarged, raised, and thick. The condition seems to result from a slight dysfunction in the healing process where too much collagen is deposited.

Who Gets Keloid Scars?

While it is technically possible for anyone to keloid, genetic factors are the primary indicator of risk. For instance, if a close family member has had keloid scarring in the past, then you may also encounter keloid scarring. The risks are even higher if you have darker skin or are between the ages of 20 and 30.

Keep in mind that having one keloid scar does not necessarily mean you will always scar that way. Keloids are most common on the earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, and chest. Regardless of whether you keloid or not, scar revision treatment can help with practically any unsightly scar.

What Is Scar Revision?

Scar revision is not just one type of cosmetic surgery in Houston. It’s a highly individualized process. As a result, two scar revision procedures may include very different steps. There are four primary methods used for scar revision.

Resizing

If you have a very large scar, then a qualified cosmetic surgeon may be able to reduce its size. It isn’t always possible to shorten the overall length of the scar, but it is quite possible to reduce its width assuming there is enough excess skin.

Repositioning

Even the thinnest scars are noticeable if they’re in a prominent area. Depending on the current location of your scar, it may be possible to reposition it to a less visible area. Relocating the scar to a natural fold in the skin or an area that is generally hidden can make it a lot easier for you to enjoy your life without anyone noticing your scar.

Contouring

In some cases, scars do not heal evenly. They can appear sunken or dimpled, especially as we age and lose some of the collagen supporting the skin. Your plastic surgeon can smooth out the skin and soft tissue to create a much more appealing look that distracts from the presence of any scarring.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is one of the most successful forms of treatment for keloids. Cryotherapy and surgical removal have some success, but laser therapy has better odds for many patients. In this capacity, a laser can be used to flatten scarring and reduce discoloration.

For many patients, scar revision will not be limited to one approach. Your plastic surgeon may suggest resizing and relocation for example. Ultimately, you are the only one who can decide what happens to your body.

In order to better understand your options and the suggested treatment for your particular case, talk to your cosmetic surgeon in Houston.