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UCI Plastic Surgery
UCI Plastic Surgery 
Scar Revision
Surgery to Minimize Appearance of Scars
Scar revision is a procedure that can minimize an unsightly scar. The procedure can make a scar less noticeable–essentially replacing the scar with a less prominent one.
If you are bothered by a scar caused by injury or previous surgery, a scar revision may be right for you. Plastic surgeons performed more than 160,000 of these procedures in 2010, helping many people improve both their appearance and skin function.
Reasons for Scar Revision
People choose scar revision to minimize the appearance of scars caused by:
- Injury
- Surgery
- Burns
Good candidates for scar revision are healthy nonsmokers who understand the benefits and limitations of the procedure. If excisional scar revision is recommended, the procedure cannot be completed sooner than six months after the scar formation.
FAQ About Scar Revision in Orange County
We’ve listed some of the frequently asked questions about scar revision at UCI Plastic Surgery.
Based on the scar you exhibit, a plastic surgeon can recommend and perform a variety of scar revision procedures. The appropriate technique depends on the type of scar, its size, age, and other factors. Plastic surgeons offer both surgical and non-surgical techniques to reduce the appearance of scars. For some of these procedures, such as local flap surgery, the doctor may perform tissue expansion techniques, which help the skin to adequately stretch in order to make reconstruction possible.
Fusiform excision surgery: the doctor makes an ellipse-shaped incision around the scar and removes the tissue.
Partial or serial excision: the doctor makes an elliptical incision. If the scar cannot be removed entirely in one procedure, there are follow-up procedures to address the entire area.
Local flap surgery: if the surrounding skin can cover the scarred area, the doctor makes a Z or W-shaped incision to break up the scar, restoring function and reducing its appearance.
In some cases, patients may benefit from skin resurfacing or injection treatments.
If you have a raised scar, your surgeon may gradually shave down the elevated tissue to help match the surrounding skin.
If you have a small, round or depressed scar, your surgeon may use a skin graft. Skin is taken from a donor site on your body and used to raise the scarred area to be more level with the surrounding skin.
After scar revision in Orange County, your skin may feel tight and you may experience some swelling. Discomfort is normal, but can be managed with prescription medication. The scar will be covered with a dressing, which may need to be changed periodically. Follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions after scar revision.