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Woodbury, MN 651-495-6865

St. Paul, MN 651-254-8290

Scar Revision

Scar revision refers to several procedures that are performed to correct scars that have not healed properly or that may be causing issues. Scars can affect your appearance and movement and how you feel about them can be a very personal matter. Our surgeons at HealthPartners Plastic Surgery offer scar revision in the Twin Cities for patients looking to improve the appearance of their scars and increase function that was limited by it.

Scars remain after a wound from injury or surgery has healed. Many scars may become less noticeable with time so it may be recommended to wait at least one year before having scar revision. No scars can be removed completely, but they can be made less noticeable through scar revision.

There are many variables that affect the severity of a scar:

  • Size and depth of a wound
  • Blood supply to the area
  • Thickness and color of your skin
  • Direction of the scar
  • Location of the scar

We want you to be informed before making your choices. Our caring team will take the time to listen to your needs and fully explain everything. We will develop a personal plan customized to your needs. You can feel confident in our excellent care.

Your surgeon will discuss the options available based on your scar. The discussion will include:

  • Type of scar
  • Surface treatments
  • Surgical techniques

Type of scar

There are different treatments for scar revision based on the type of scar you have.

Surface irregularities – include discoloration and other subtle scars, but do not affect the function or cause pain. These scars can be caused by acne, minor injury, or surgical incisions.

Keloid Scars – thick, puckered, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound or incision. They are often red or darker in color than the surrounding skin. Keloid scars can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common over the breastbone, on the earlobes, and shoulders. They are often treated with steroid medication injected into the scar. If the steroid treatment does not work, the scar may be surgically cut out. Keloid scars are known to recur, sometimes coming back even larger than before.

Hypertrophic Scars – thick, red, and raised, but remain within the boundaries of the original incision or wound. They are very similar to keloid scars. Hypertrophic scars often improve on their own or with a steroid application or injection. They can also be improved surgically if needed.

Contractures – restrict movement due to skin and underlying tissue that pull together during healing. This can happen with a large area of skin loss from a burn or other injury. The contracture may restrict normal movement by affecting the adjacent muscles and tendons. The most common treatment for contracture is cutting out the scar and replacing it with a skin graft or flap. Other techniques also include a Z-plasty or tissue expansion.

Scar Revision

Surface treatments

Some scars can be treated with non-invasive or surface treatments. These treatments will soften the surface of the scar or reduce uneven pigmentation. These options include:

  • Dermabrasion – to soften facial scars, the top layers of the skin are scraped leaving a smoother surface, but it won’t completely remove the scar.
  • Laser or light therapy – changes the surface of the skin to allow new, healthy skin to form at the scar site.
  • Chemical peel – to soften the texture and color of a scar, a solution is used to penetrate the skin’s surface.
  • Skin bleaching – medication is applied to the scar to lighten the skin.
  • Cortisone injections – into the scar tissue, helps the scar tissue shrink and flatten out so it is less noticeable.

Surgical techniques

The type and extent of the scar will determine the scar revision procedure. Your surgeon will determine the best technique for your scar which may or may not include the following procedures.

Z-plasty – repositioning a scar to more closely conform to the natural lines and creases of the skin. This will make it less noticeable and can also relieve tension caused by contracture. The old scar is removed and new incisions are made on each side, creating small triangular flaps of skin. The flaps are then rearranged to cover the wound at a different angle, giving the scar a “ Z” pattern. A portion of the scar will still remain outside the natural lines of the skin.

Skin grafting – transferring the skin from a healthy part of the body to cover the injured area. When new blood vessels and scar tissue form in the injured area, the graft is said to “take”. All grafts leave some scarring at the removal and injured areas.

Flap surgery – skin, underlying fat, blood vessels, and sometimes muscle are moved from a healthy part of the body to the injured area. Sometimes the blood supply remains attached at the original site, and other times, the blood vessels are reattached at the new site using microvascular surgery.

Skin grafting and flap surgery improve the function of the scarred area, but the skin may not precisely match the color and texture of the surrounding skin.

Recovery

Our team will provide you with a list of post-operative instructions that will help you throughout your scar revision recovery. Some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort may occur depending on the procedure performed. Recovery time will vary.

She is professional

Dr. Heinrich is actually out of St Paul MN. She and her staff are all beyond what words can describe. She is professional, kind, and explains things well.

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The cost of your scar revision

During your consultation, our team can go over the expected cost of your scar revision in the Twin Cities during your consultation. Price will be based on the type of scar revision performed. Financing is available.

Schedule a consultation

Each scar revision procedure is based on an individual’s body and goals. We would be happy to schedule a consultation to answer any questions you may have about your scar revision in the Twin Cities and provide our recommendation on what we think is best for your situation. You will be well taken care of at HealthPartners Plastic Surgery. We are confident you will be pleased with the results.

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Please call the practice for any inquiries

We offer complimentary consultations for cosmetic and skin rejuvenation services. For other procedures, patients are responsible for any health insurance co-pay or deductibles.

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