December 31, 2015 | 3 minute read
Conspicuous scars can make people feel self-conscious about their appearance. While there is no perfect solution to visible scarring, scar repair and revision can help to reduce the appearance of scars and restore a person’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Dr. Kimberly A. Henry is pleased to offer scar repair and revision at her San Francisco, CA plastic surgery practice to patients who want to minimize the appearance of scars on their bodies and revitalize their skin.
If you are dissatisfied with your appearance due to visible scarring, we encourage you to contact our plastic surgery practice to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Henry today.
The Decision to Undergo Scar Repair Surgery
Scar repair surgery is generally reserved for cases in which more conservative treatments have proven ineffective or would most likely be ineffective. It may also be recommended as a first line of treatment if it would be likely to improve function, as is the case with scars caused when large areas of the body are burned. With scars such as these, the muscles and tendons can be affected, causing restriction of normal movement.
When scar surgery is strictly a cosmetic matter, Dr. Henry may recommend that patients wait for the scar to fully heal before making a decision. This is because some scars will shrink and lighten over time, and it is best not to perform surgery until a scar has matured. Dr. Henry does not want to remove more tissue than is necessary. Indeed, some patients decide that, once their scars have healed, surgery is unnecessary. This is a decision that Dr. Henry fully supports.
About Scar Repair Surgery
When patients elect to undergo scar repair surgery, it is generally performed while they are under local anesthesia; however, it can also be performed while patients are under general anesthesia. During the procedure, Dr. Henry carefully removes the scar tissue, which creates an uneven portion of skin. She then repairs this area using dermal fillers, dermabrasion, or laser skin resurfacing, depending on the nature of the deformity.
For tight or contracted scars, Dr. Henry may perform Z-plasty, a procedure in which the scar is repositioned so that it is made less noticeable. It is positioned in such a way that it conforms to the natural creases and lines of the skin.
In cases in which Dr. Henry feels that surgery is not the best option, she will recommend alternative treatments, such as dermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing. These procedures, which are often used to repair the skin after scar removal, can also be used to lighten scars and other blemishes on the surface of the skin.
Learn More about Scar Repair and Revision
If you suffer from visible scarring anywhere on your body, there are treatment options available to you. We invite you to contact our plastic surgery practice today to learn more about scar repair and revision, performed by experienced plastic surgeon Kimberly A. Henry at her state-of-the-art facility.
