Patients and surgeons alike embrace contemporary minimally-invasive techniques for many reasons, but perhaps chief among them is the tiny size of surgical incisions. Smaller cuts mean smaller scars.
Not every procedure can be done through keyhole incisions, however, and you can develop scars for other reasons too, such as from serious cuts. Often raised and lighter than skin in the surrounding areas, a scar can stand out noticeably.
While it’s not always possible to make a scar disappear, there are options for reducing the intensity of its appearance. Alexis Furze, M.D. offers in-office scar revision and scar management plans for his patients, both surgical and non-surgical.
The appearance of your scar depends on the nature of the scar formation. As your skin heals, new collagen forms in the middle layers, which can create the characteristic light and raised appearance of many scars. However, that’s not the only way that scars look.
Acne blemishes can crop up on top of skin that’s not yet healed from earlier pimples, and this can cause disruptions to the collagen matrix supporting your surface skin. Pits, bumps, and wavy scars can result.
Characteristic of a burn injury, scars stretch the skin over the damaged areas, and they can also go deep, affecting nerves and muscles, and sometimes they can keep joints from moving normally.
The healing response for some people can be aggressive, resulting in scar tissue spreading beyond the area of injury. The extra tissue created with a keloid scar can also interfere with joint movement.
Red in color and raised, hypertrophic scars are otherwise similar to keloid scars, but they don’t extend past the injury.
There are many options for reducing the appearance of scars, some more effective than others. Since Dr. Furze performs plastic surgery in addition to head and neck procedures, he’s always aware of the potential cosmetic impact of surgical scars.
Dr. Furze recommends the use of Biocorneum® Advanced scar treatment gel. Silicone preparations are often effective at reducing scar formation when in contact with the incision or wound throughout healing.
Applied as a topical gel twice daily, you allow Biocorneum to dry, then cover the wound with a dressing. The cross-linked, medical-grade silicone in the gel helps to keep the area hydrated while preventing excess collagen formation.
Old scars may be suitable for in-office revision. The exact procedure depends on your scars and their severity, and it could include surface treatments, injectable fillers, or topical treatments. Deep scars may need to be reopened and closed again with care, cutting away keloid formation, and giving your body a fresh start at healing. Adding Biocorneum to this new healing cycle helps to form a smaller, less obvious scar.
You have options if you’re unhappy with the appearance of a scar. Find out more by contacting Alexis Furze, M.D. in Newport Beach. You can book your personal consultation by phone today.
