Patients who choose to undergo a plastic surgery procedure are often concerned about scarring. Will the scar be visible? Will it detract from the overall look of the procedure? How will it look as I age? Unfortunately, these fears often prevent individuals from taking the next step and scheduling a consultation. A skilled and knowledgeable plastic surgeon can answer your questions and help calm your fears before your procedure. Armed with the right information, you can make a more informed decision about whether plastic surgery is right for you.
What is a Plastic Surgical Scar?
A scar is a mark that is left on the skin after the body tissue has been wounded. It is often the result of an injury, an abrasion, or surgical incision. Some scars are lighter in pigment than the skin around it. Other scars are thick and raised.
Some people are at an increased risk for scarring and some surgical procedures produce more noticeable scars than others. While you can't completely prevent scar tissue from forming, there are steps your surgeon can take to help reduce the appearance of your scar. There are also steps you can take after your procedure to help accelerate healing.
An Experienced Plastic Surgeon Can Minimize Scarring
Certain plastic surgical techniques can actually minimize scarring. Laparoscopic surgery and other minimally invasive techniques often result in minimal scarring, while open surgery results in a larger incision and more scar tissue. Your surgeon will also try to hide the incision in an inconspicuous area – such as underneath your breast or hidden under the areola border. Facelift incisions are often hidden around the ear and posterior hairline.
Individual Risks that Worsen Scarring
Unfortunately, some individuals are just predisposed to scarring. Genetics plays a very important role in whether or not you will have noticeable scarring after a cosmetic procedure. Your skin tone and your age also play an important role. In general, darker skin tones have a greater likelihood for developing pigmented scars or raised scars. Older individuals also have a lesser chance of scarring.
Good Post-op Care Can Minimize Scarring
After your plastic surgery procedure is over, your surgeon will give you specific instructions to help minimize scarring. During the post-op period, you may be instructed to avoid sun exposure, smoking, and alcohol. You will need to watch the skin tissue for signs of infection, such as a red and painful incision site or foul-smelling discharge. Your surgeon may also dress the incision with silicone dressings to help speed healing and make the scar less painful.
Can a Plastic Surgical Scar be Improved?
There are times, however, when a scar does not heal properly. Perhaps it is larger than you imagined it would be? Or perhaps it is more noticeable than you would like? When this happens your plastic surgeon may be able to help. There are a variety of different treatments options available for minimizing the appearance of surgical scars. Some of these treatments include:
- Silicone gels, tapes or compression bandages
- Injectable collagen
- Steroid injections
- Dermabrasion
- Laser or light therapy
- Chemical peel solutions
- Skin bleaching agents
- Scar revision surgery
The appearance of plastic surgery scars will usually reduce in time – and sometimes it can take up to a year for the body to completely heal. As such, it is best to wait one year before considering scar-minimizing treatments.
Contact Pasadena Plastic Surgeon Specialists
If you are considering plastic surgery and you have questions about scarring, it is important to choose a plastic surgeon carefully. Pasadena men and women continue to choose Dr. Kevin Ruhge to perform their plastic surgeries because of the extraordinary care they receive. His personalized approach to plastic surgery means that his clients can contact him 24/7 after a surgical procedure.
We invite you to meet with Dr. Ruhge for a private consultation at our office in Pasadena by calling 626.397.9095, or by scheduling an appointment online.