Scar revision performed

Cosmetic surgery is accessed predominantly in areas where body and image-consciousness are big, which makes sense. Those who live in societies or who compete for a living in places like Hollywood and New York, for example, reportedly feel more pressure to look a certain way. These individuals, both men and women, turn to the use of cosmetic surgical procedures to be more beautiful (though it can be argued that this is measured most reliably in the eye of the beholder).

The tendency to pay cosmetic surgeons to perform various procedures on the lips or hips can also be observed in South Florida, where plastic surgery is quite popular in areas like Miami. Again, the reason is obvious, with plenty of skin on display and a preponderance of industries promoting a pleasing physical facade. Because of the pressure on observable beauty in Miami and other beach areas, South Florida hosts a thriving plastic surgery industry: tummy tucks, breast augmentation, facelifts and more are performed regularly. The same can be said of LA, NYC and many places abroad.

While the above observations may come as no surprise to readers, the following information may find a new audience, perhaps enlightening a few who have been planning to undergo surgical procedures in on the West Coast or in Florida: Scar revision, performed by plastic surgeons and doctors is common. Why? The truth is that many cosmetic surgery procedures-even when performed by highly experienced surgeons-can leave scars. Fortunately for patients, the options for reducing or eliminating these scars comprise a full menu, wherein each technique is preferable to a certain situation or area of the body/surgical procedure.
Techniques utilized by surgeons to eliminate or reduce the appearance of scars, no matter how long a patient has borne them include:

1. Injectable treatments used to fill scars, requiring repeated, regular applications for complete erasure
2. Surface treatment types such as dermabrasion, laser therapy (also termed light therapy) chemical peels, and skin bleaching
3. Topical gels, tapes, external compression
4. Complete scar removal while the patient is under general anesthesia, followed by careful wound closure: At times this requires a skin graft; timing is critical, with the best results realized two to three full months after a scar has matured

Low risk (except in the case of the fourth option using general anaesthesia) and highly effective, scar revision treatments have proven successful in making the most of cosmetic surgeries while providing patients with viable solutions when they are faced with unsightly scars. Patients preparing for any type of cosmetic surgery will do well to inquire about scar revision options post-op to reduce or eliminate scarring. Those who have not undergone cosmetic surgical procedures but who for other reasons suffer with scarring--as a result of disease, deformity or dermal conditions--can also benefit.The best course of action is to investigate options and schedule an appointment to speak with one or more cosmetic surgeons about possible procedures and realistic expectations for results. Well established facilities provide online resources and procedure descriptions, and many clinics offer financing options for those whose scar revision therapy might not be covered by healthcare insurance.

Forms of acne scars

What lasts longer than acne is acne scars. The mark that it leaves is more dreadful than the presence of acne itself. Acne scars are physical evidence of the presence of acne. Acne scars represent the areas of damage and repair. When an area is damaged, white blood cells and platelets work together to heal the spot. Genetics plays its part in the susceptibility of individuals to the degree of scarring and to the type of scar left. Some scars disappear through time, while others remain the same. Deep scars are common to people who have deeply damaged follicles.

Scars are best prevented by controlling acne pop-outs. The prevention of inflammation makes scars less likely to appear thus it is best not to squeeze them. People with healthy lifestyle need not bother since their body can eventually heal them in time. Too much sun exposure will also make scars stay longer and smoking will make the skin more vulnerable to scarring since this habit decreases the amount of collagen reserves which increases free radical formation and toxin formation.

Acne scars come in 2 forms. There are "pseudo-scars" and "true scars".

Pseudo-scars include macules and hyperpigmentation. Macules are the result of the acne's healing process which is identified with a flat skin and reddish spot. This usually lasts for 6 months and does not result to permanent scarring. Hyperpigmentation is skin darkening after the healing process of the acne. This usually lasts for 18 months and is common among Asians, Latinos and African-Americans.

True scars are the result of either tissue formation or tissue loss beyond normal. Keloids or hypertropic scars represent true scars as a result of tissue formation. They are believed to be passed on genetically. They usually occur when the skin produces too much collagen, resulting to lumps in the skin, more frequently near the jaw. This kind of scar is permanent and is usually removed only through laser treatment.

True scars or the tissue loss type come in a variety forms they are:

a) Ice-pick acne scars: are usually tiny but occur deep and are associated with jagged sides.

b) Soft acne scars have sloping edges and are usually small, round and soft.

c) Fibrotic acne scars are depressed and are usually the larger versions of ice-pick scars.

d) Atrophic macules, which are seen in Caucasians, appear as purplish wrinkled skin at first then changes to an ivory color through time.

e) Follicular macular

atrophy is similar to whiteheads but they are not developed. They commonly occur on the back or chest.

Acne scars poses a permanent threat to the beauty of the skin, but they are treatable. Macules and hyperpigmentation are treated with bleaching agents to lighten the color of the scar and resemble the natural color of the skin. Retinol, Retin-A and Renova are resurfacing drugs that can improve the appearance of acne. A choice of microdermabrasion and dermatologic surgery is also acceptable. It is very difficult to restore acne-injured skin to its original state but treatments aim to minimize its appearance. Consulting dermatologists should be done to receive the best advice for treating acne scars.

Silicone scar bandage

During scar management, the silicone sheeting is thought to stimulate repair of the dysfunctional top layer of skin covering hypertrophic and keloid scars, as well as decreasing the over-adhesive content found in their matrix. The way the silicon sheets balance the complex cellular physiology to promote the proper healing of the problem scar may be indirect and mysterious, but the evidence of its effectiveness and results are clear.

The silicon sheet is a silicon gel membrane, which is made from new type medical high polymer materials. It is a kind of thin, soft and transparent sheet, the adhesive side is applied to the scar, on the other side is a silicone side without adhesion, thus it is unnecessary to apply the other dressing to affix it. It acts on scar through the obvious oxygen tension, pressure and hydrolysis with characteristics of being easy to use, clean, comfortable and offers excellent moisture penetrability, air permeability, pressure sensitivity and acts as a protective screen from bacteria.

Given these properties, the silicon sheet is an excellent treatment for the healing of new wounds which have closed. In the first few months of the wound closure, it is hard to determine the nature of the scars - as to whether it is a keloid or a hypertropic scar. As different types of scar formation are treated differently, it is recommended that a neutral treatment be used until a scar has been identified as belonging to either category. For this purpose, the silicon sheet is very helpful.

With this in mind, an effective scar management program should be based on the modalities of wound support, hydration, and hastened maturity, all factors gleaned from scientific evidence published over the past 25 years. Tension on a scar in one axis will result in a stretched scar, probably initiated by neutrophils and their neutral proteases. Tension on a scar from many directions or intermittently will result in a hypertrophic scar, possibly initiated by lymphocytes but definitely related to a prolongation of the inflammatory process, with increased fibroblast activity and overabundant |extracellular matrix secretion. The common initiating factor is the tension on the scar, and the critical element needed to counteract this tension is scar support. Clinical experience has shown us that the most reliable way to support a scar is by using microporous tape or silicone tape at the early stages of formation. Hydration is a second beneficial influence on scar control and is the basis of the use of silicone sheeting and gel.

Best treatments for acne scars

After healing, an acne lesion can leave a red mark or a hyperpigmentation on the skin. This is just a post-inflammatory change and not actually a scar. The redness happens as the skin goes through healing, which usually takes 6-12 months. If no acne sprouts in that particular area, it can heal normally. If it is still present after a year or more, it may be considered a permanent scar.

Acne Scars that are caused by tissue formation are actually the result of a buildup of collagen in the skin. These are most commonly called keloids. Keloids tend to be genetic while scars that are caused by tissue loss are the most common type of acne scars.

Tretinoin can help heal scars. It speeds up the healing and remodeling of the skin. It also assists in the healing of hyperpigmentations. Aplha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) also helps the remodeling process of the skin. As long as it is appropriately formulated and have the right concentration with the right pH, it will be very effective. Also, a person should seek treatment for scars either to remove or lighten them. Or maybe the person can include it in the overall procedure of skin rejuvenation.

It is very important for both the patient and the dermatologist to discuss the procedures as to the treatment of acne scars. Choosing a skin rejuvenation process is based partly on the result that the patient wants to accomplish. These are just some of the procedures that dermatologists use to treat acne scars:

1. Chemical peel can treat small to large acne scars and can also be effective when it comes to removing blackheads and whiteheads. Repeated peeling is recommended to improve some extensive or deep scars.

2. Laser or resurfacing of scars is a relatively new technology but can only be effective in some patients. It can be used to treat scars that are complex in nature.

3. Dermabrasion can reach deeper skin layers than a chemical peel.

4. Excision surgery can remove the affected entirely.

5. Soft-tissue augmentation can treat scars that are caused by tissue loss. It involves injections of collagen under the scars which raises them to bring it to the surface.

6. Intralesional steroid injection for keloids on the other hand is a procedure where direct injection is done into the keloid acne scars. It can be mixed with surgery to reduce scar size. This can only be done by a dermatologic surgeon.

It is a good thing that acne scars can be effectively treated nowadays. Now, you can say goodbye to a life with acne.

Laser skin resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures and can help rejuvenate the skin. The use of laser skin resurfacing removes damaged outer layers of skin and stimulate collagen production in the underlying layer.

Actually, laser skin resurfacing is a method to reduce the appearance of imperfections on the surface of the skin. During laser resurfacing procedure, the laser will be used to dissolve the molecular bonds are broken. This also can be called as laser skin rejuvenation because of anti-aging benefits. The procedure does not have limitations, but individuals with severe injuries may need to use the technique additional scar revision to achieve the best results.

Types of laser skin resurfacing is generally divided into two kinds, namely the use of CO2 laser and erbium laser. CO2 laser is a laser treatment with the highest intensity available at this time. How it works is to limit CO2 collagen beneath the dermis by heat. CO2 laser can also remove wrinkles, scars, warts and birthmarks, and even has been applied to treat skin cancer in the early stages.

Erbium laser can remove a layer of skin thinner than a more powerful, the less appropriate when using a CO2 laser. Erbium laser is often a better choice for patients with dark skin because there is less risk of permanent changes in skin pigmentation.

Scar revision surgery

It is amazing sometimes to what extent advertising "muddies the waters" of plastic surgery. In the treatment of scars, this makes informing the prospective patient a hurdle at times. It's almost like a debriefing in my office. So let's go through some of what is known about scars and the circumstances under which they might be improved.

Scars of the skin are points at which the differences between previously wounded and unwounded skin become apparent. While they do in general improve with time, they are never converted into "normal skin." Scar tissue never attains the strength or color of normal skin. The differences between the two tissues therefore can be frequently seen. The treatment of scars is more likely to make these differences less obvious under several conditions.

The scar is wide. If the scar tissue is wide that often means that separation occurred between the two edges of the healing wound over the time over which the wound healed. A carefully planned operation called SCAR REVISION may offer some benefit here. The scar tissue is removed and the two edges of the wound are mobilized surgically and brought together to be closed in layers. This usually reduces the separation and the wound has another chance to heal. Dependent upon the quality of this healing, the scar may be improved.

The wound from which the scar formed is recent. In the first year or so after a wound is formed, healing has the best chance of improving the scar itself by a process called Re-modeling. Wound healing occurs in an optimal manner if the wound is appropriately handled in the first place, has little infection, and is kept from direct sunlight. Once the wound closes, scar tissue goes through stages. Some believe that the application of silicone sheeting (now available over-the-counter at drug stores) may help early scars to heal with less tissue distortion. This should be assisted by a physician in all but the simplest wounds as putting it on open or infected wounds can make things worse.

The scar is colored - In some individuals pigmented scars can be improved. This is a little more difficult unless the scar is wide or was poorly handled when the wound was first formed.

Acne scars causes and treatment

Most teenagers and young adults have encountered, or will encounter acne. Although this tends to be a part of growing, acne scars sometimes result from this skin condition. Acne scars can, and in many instances do, have worse effects on individuals than the acne itself- the acne scars may travel with the individual throughout the rest of their lives.

When the body uses connective tissue to repair damaged parts of the skin, acne scars develop. The white blood cells work in conjunction with the antibodies to heal the damage that acne has done to the skin. Thus, acne scars then appear. Makeup for acne scars is manufactured by many different companies. If you are not sure which makeup for acne scars is the best to use you may want to do a little research. Talk to a dermatologist before buying makeup for acne scars. Your dermatologist may have some great recommendations for makeup for acne scars.

Scars are caused when tissue is damaged. These scars are essentially caused by bacteria and dead cells plugging the sebaceous follicle. There are essentially two different types of acne scars: the ice-pick scars and the raised scars. Acne scars can often be prevented. However, to date, the only way to prevent acne scars is to treat the acne early and to continue treatment until it is gone. Even this offers no guarantees, and nobody really understands why some people will scar, while others will not, with the same type of acne, and the same severity.

The most talked about and popular treatment for these acne scars is laser resurfacing. During the treatment, the intense beams of focused light target skin layers rid unwanted cells. Lasers eliminate acne scars as they exfoliate layers of skin, revealing the newer, clearer skin underneath. Laser resurfacing can improve the appearance of the acne scars by about 30 - 40 %. However after the laser treatment, a longer time is required for the healing from the redness, swelling or flaking. Meticulous care of the wound is required to prevent secondary bacterial and viral infection that may cause further scarring.

Revision after plastic surgery

Scar revision is a common request that I get from patients who have acquired scars from an accident or from a surgical encounter. Whether it is a scar that has just occurred or one that is years old, they are very concerning for many patients.

Topical scar creams and ointments have little proven success, other than anectodal evidence, that they work. Topical scar treatments do have a role to play in early scars but not in older scars. Only the concept of some form of scar revision has any hope of improvement at this point. Scar revision can consist of a variety of treatments including excision and rearrangement (cutting out and reclosing), laser therapies, and mechanical methods of dermbrasion or sanding. All are not equal, meaning that each has a specific role to play and can be beneficial if used in the right kind of scar.

There are several extremely important points that one needs to understand about scar revision. First and foremost, no method of scar revision can completely erase a scar's appearance. The skin that the scar has replaced will never be normal ever. Scar revision is about improvement, not perfection or complete elimination of the scar. As a plastic surgeon, we are not magicians and have no magical wand. The important question before undergoing scar revision then is how much improvemennt can be had and is it worth the effort. That is where the value of a consultation with a plastic surgeon is ascertaining how much scar improvement may be achieved.

Secondly, there is no single method of scar revision that will work for all scars. Much ballyhoo goes on about the use of lasers, but quite frankly, lasers are not the most common method of treating scars. They may seem like an 'eraser' but their use is restricted to treating early or persistent redness of scars and some light skin resurfacing of scars. Both of these laser effects produce mild degrees of improvement but it is not effective for many types sof scar problems. By far, excision and primary closure (cutting the scar out and reclosing it) or excision and tissue rearrangement (cutting the scar out and realigning it through geometric rearrangements such as z- or w-plasties) is most common. Scar excision is probably the most effective method of scar improvement, if the scar problem permits, as it is removing the scar first and creating a fresh wound. Dermabrasion and deeper laser resurfacing may be helpful for wide scars that are raised that do not lend themselves to excision.

Lastly, it takes six months to a year to see the final results of scar revision. I tell patients that scar revision is a process that usually involves takes a step back (to allow healing) in the hope that in the long term you have jumped two steps forward and it looks better. It requires a commitment of time and a leap of faith that the 'effort' will be worth the result. Scar revision results take time to see improvement often at least 6 months after the procedure.

Remove scars with lser surgery

Most people would probably have scars which they want to remove for aesthetic or other reasons. Some even consider it a fashion statement. However, most people would probably like their facial scars to be removed. There are many methods being used to remove scars and one of the most convenient methods would to remove scars by cosmetic laser surgery. However, we must first understand what scars are.

A scar is the body's natural way of healing itself by replacing lost or damaged skin. Scars may occur for many reasons such as from surgery, injuries, cuts, infections or inflammation of body tissues. Scars can come with different appearances and forms like just being flat, lumpy, sunken, colored, itchy or even being painful. The look of a scar will depend on factors such as skin type, location on the body, the direction and type of the injury, age of the person and his/her nutrition.

Scars usually fade with the passing of time and many scars do not disappear completely. Cosmetics and make up can help to cover light unsightly scars. Some scars can be minimized or lightened by certain dermatological treatments. Some of the techniques that help to remove or improve the scars are dermabrasion, chemical peels, collagen injections, cryosurgery, skin grafts, surgical scar revision, laser resurfacing, and autologous fat transfer just to name a few of the many methods.

The laser scar removal technique can reduce the appearance of keloid scars, hypertrophic scars, and atrophic scars. Unfortunately, people with darker skin may not be able to use laser scar removal. People who suffer from skin disorders such as psoriasis, cystic acne, and dermatitis may also not be able to undergo laser scar removal method. People who are on medication such as isotretinoin for acne must stop using the medication for at least half a year before they are able to undergo the laser treatment.

During laser scar removal, the laser is moved along the scar. This vaporizes or removes a layer of skin and exposes a more natural-looking skin, which heals over time to minimize scar appearance. There are several types of laser treatments and each has its own benefits. The laser scar removal procedure is often performed under local anesthesia. Sometimes, general anesthesia may also used if treatment is made over a large area of the body. The laser surgery is usually performed from just a few minutes to an hour long or so depending on the patient's condition and the methods used.

The patient's recovery process can begin as early as three to four days after the laser treatment. Speed of skin regeneration will largely depend on the type of laser surgery method used, personal healing ability and adherence to medical instructions. The most common side effect of laser scar removal surgery is skin hyper pigmentation. This condition can be made worse through sun exposure. Infection or allergic reactions are also possible side effects.

Treatment options

Finding an effective way to diminish and heal a plastic surgery scar depends on the scar itself. This is because some minor plastic surgery scars may develop into much larger, more serious scars such as Keloid scars. Keloids are scars that have the potential to expand in size. While some Keloids may be treated using a topical scar treatment gel, more serious cases may require additional surgery.

However, as previously stated, most plastic surgery scars are small. For these scars, there are essentially two choices: laser treatments or using a topical scar treatment. Laser treatments help reduce the size of the scar by reducing the amount of scar tissue. Although it should be noted that in order to produce a noticeable difference in appearance, multiple treatments may be required. This in turn is often very expensive.

The other option is to use a topical scar gel/cream which is applied directly to the scar. This kind of treatment softens the scar tissue and allows the scar to heal by working and realigning the collagen fibers. In addition, the topical scar treatment forms a protective barrier over the plastic surgery scar which protects it from additional physical damage such as wind and water damage. It should also be noted that massaging the scar is very beneficial, especially if the plastic surgery scar is a result of surgery to the breast. Massaging the scar will help break up the scar tissue.

If you have a plastic surgery scar or even a non-plastic surgery scar, and would like to use a scar gel to help heal it, there are a few key things that you need to be aware of. The first and most important aspect of finding an effective scar treatment gel is determining if it contains silicone. This is because silicone has been proven to be an extremely effective ingredient used to help heal scars. Silicone also helps form a protective barrier over the scar which will help it heal faster.

You will also find that there are both silicone based gels as well as sheeting. The only problem with silicone sheeting is that it is not as flexible as using a gel. For example, when you place the sheeting over the scar, you risk loosing contact with the scar when you move. Using a gel will form a flexible barrier over the scar which will naturally move with your body and therefore will never loose contact with the scar. In conclusion, using a scar treatment gel is a safe and effective way to diminish the size and appearance of a plastic surgery scar. It is also less expensive and less risky than laser treatments.

Treat acne scars

Acne is a skin condition which is common across the globe. Scars from acne can seem like double punishment. Acne occurs most often on the face. However it also appears many a times on the chest and the back. There are different kinds of acne scarring: ice pick scarring, atrophic scarring, and hypertrophic scarring. Ice pick scars are deep pitted scars with steep edges. Atrophic scars are pitted but have smooth borders and are not as deep. Hypertrophic scar, more common on the back and chest, are thick lumpy scars that sit above the surface of the skin. Hypertrophic scars - Thickened, or keloid scars. Asians have a lower risk of hyperpigmentation than African Americans, but higher risk than Caucasian patients.

The risk of hypertrophic and keloidal scars is 5-15 times higher in african american patients and 3-5 times higher in patients of Asian descent. In the simplest terms, scars form at the site of an injury to tissue. Two types of true scars exist, as discussed later. First is depressed areas such as ice-pick scars, and Second is raised thickened tissue such as keloids. Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with nodules more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne. The best way to deal with acne is to get treatment soon after the acne appears to prevent further severe acne and more scarring. Chemical peels can improve small, depressed scars and some larger scars. Peeling may also be effective in treating any remaining acne by removing comedones.

Motorized dermabrasion is a medium-deep or deep procedure and employs the use of a motorized brush or diamond cylinder. Laser treatment of acne scars is a newer technology but one that can be very effective in selected patients. Wearing a good sunscreen is important. Using tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) speeds up the skin's remodeling process and helps heal post-inflammatory changes. Appropriate formulations of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that contain the correct concentrations and are at the appropriate pH also help the skin's remodeling process. Injection of steroids directly into keloid scars can sometimes result in acne scar treatment / improvement. Picking at scabs should be avoided at all costs.

Acne Scars Treatment Tips:

1. Wearing a good sunscreen is useful against scars.

2. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water.

3. Punch grafts are small skin grafts used to replace scarred skin.

4. Laser resurfacing may be used to minimize wrinkles and fine scars.

5. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably better.

6. Dermabrasion may be used to minimize small scars, minor skin surface irregularities.

7. Chemical peels are often used to minimize sun-damaged skin, irregular pigment, and superficial scars.

8. Using medcine tretinoin speeds up the skin's remodeling process and helps heal post-inflammatory changes.

9. Use cucumber juice or fresh cucumber paste as a face mask.

10. Egg whites are a cheap yet effective way of how to treat acne scar.

11. Honey is another natural moisturizer that can help in treating acne scars.

Preparation for laser hair removal

You can prepare for laser hair removal by not waxing or plucking hairs in the treatment area for four to six weeks before your treatment-hair follicles must be present to be treated. You can still shave and, in fact, you'll be asked to shave your treatment area 24 to 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. Because laser hair removal depends on the color of your skin and hair, you should not sun tan for a minimum of six weeks before your treatment.


There may be some redness or bumps immediately after the treatment, but nothing that will keep you from your daily activities. Some people apply a temporary icepack on their treatment area. You don't need time to recover after your session, so you can participate in almost all of your regular activities immediately after your appointment. You should, however, avoid exposure to the sun for the following four to six weeks.

The treatment should be performed by a registered nurse (RNs) or physician who's trained to operate a laser. Different treatment choices must be made for each patient. Side effects, such as skin discoloration, can result if the laser is operated by an inexperienced practitioner. At Kaiser Permanente, we provide only laser trained RNs or physicians to deliver high-quality care to our patients.

Laser hair removal is a safe procedure, but there are some risks. Some people may experience redness, swelling, bruising, blistering, or superficial skin erosions that are temporary and heal with time. Another risk is skin discoloration, which can last for several months or may be permanent.

Can scars be completely removed?

There is no way to remove scars completely. However, a skilled surgeon can definitely improve the appearance of the scar by disguising it, relocating it, or minimizing its prominence. Skin colour and type, age, and the size of the scar, are important factors that go on to decide the outcome of a surgery to remove a scar.

Different types of scars respond to different plastic surgery techniques. Timing of the surgery is another important factor. The younger the scar, the more satisfactory is the result of the surgery. Therefore, if you want to have your scar removed, do not wait, until as advised by the doctor.



Keloids are itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound or incision. They occur when the body continues to produce the tough, fibrous protein known as collagen after a wound has healed. They are more common in dark-skinned people. Keloids are treated by injecting a steroid medication directly into the scar tissue to reduce redness and itching. However, the disheartening fact is that keloids have a tendency to recur, sometimes even larger than before, thus requiring repeated procedures.

Hypertrophic scars. These scars, unlike keloids, remain within the limits of the original wound. They often improve on their own, though it may take a year or more. They may also require steroid applications or in some cases may have to be improved surgically.

Contractures is burns or other injuries that result in the loss of a large area of skin may form a scar that pulls the edges of the skin together, a process called contraction. Improving a contracture usually involves cutting out the scar and replacing it with a skin graft or a flap. In some cases, a procedure known as Z-plasty may be used.


Mostly, facial scars are cut out and closed with tiny stitches, leaving a less noticeable scar. Some facial scars can be softened using a technique called dermabrasion, that leaves a smoother surface to the skin, but does not completely erase the scar.

Scar revision facts

To have the skin at its clearest and most radiant, many seek freedom from blemishes of all kinds, and in specific, scars. For those seeking new treatment options that involve the elimination of various types of scars there a number of different options to suit the type of scar and your skin type, as well as your desires.

To have scar revision performed namely involves removing the scar from the skin while the patient is under either a localized or general anesthesia. This can be performed in various ways and it is up to the patient and the performing plastic surgeon to discuss how and what will be performed. There are a number of different types of scarring which involve overgrowth of scar tissue around the initial area of trauma, either due to a wound, burn, or any other sort of trauma. Scars are obviously the body's natural response to wound that threatens the body and so collagen is grown in and around the initial wound over time. With this in mind, it is important to appreciate the body's natural healing process. Nevertheless, there may be remaining unsightly marks left after a trauma on the skin and certain scars are more difficult to remove than others.

In the surgical world, scar revision can be as simple as a minor scar which can be excised, stitches placed, and then the remaining scar from the stitches can be worked on with ipl fotofacial light or other forms of lightening. Scarred areas are generally given a minimum of a year to heal so that the area is given the ability to get as close to a completely healed and non-inflamed area as possible. By allowing this time to go by, the skin is given more time to heal and also may help to prevent scars from recurring after they are removed with surgical procedures. Additionally, some scars may be so minor that plastic surgeons will recommend trying non-surgical approaches to scar removal before surgery is considered. Generally, if just the skin is darkened and there is no raised skin over the area, it is easier to lighten the scar to non-existence by the use of laser therapies, light technology, or even dermabrasion or chemical peels. A dermatologist generally works in this field of scar removal. Scar revision however usually implies the use of a more surgical approach to eliminate a scar which is difficult to remove without actual excision of some kind.

Since scar revision can result in repeat scars which come back, it is important to know that certain scarring is the result of genetic predisposition and no matter what, may return. Plastic surgeons performing a treatment on an area such as a keloid scar will typically let patients know that surgery is not as successful on these types of scars, which are generally caused by the body's overcompensation of collagen when the skin is traumatized by a wound. Speaking to a plastic surgeon and a dermatologist is helpful and allows patients to get a good idea of what they can expect if treatment is sought out for these types of scars.

Chemical peel

Chemical peels employ a variety of caustic chemicals to selectively destroy several layers of skin. The peeling solutions are "painted on," area-by-area, to ensure that the entire face is treated. After the skin heals, discoloration, wrinkles, and other surface irregularities are often eliminated. Chemical peels are divided into three types: superficial, medium-depth, and deep. The type of peel depends on the strength of the chemical used, and on how deeply it penetrates. Superficial peels are used for fine wrinkles, sun damage, acne, and rosacea. The medium-depth peel is used for more obvious wrinkles and sun damage, as well as for precancerous lesions like actinic keratoses. Deep peels are used for the most severe wrinkling and sun damage.

Preparation for the chemical peel begins several weeks before the actual procedure. To promote turnover of skin cells, patients use a mild glycolic acid lotion or cream in the morning, and the acne cream tretinoin in the evening. They also use hydroquinone cream, a bleaching product that helps prevent later discoloration. To prevent reappearance of a herpes simplex virus infection, antiviral medicine is started a few days before the procedure and continues until the skin has healed.

Patients arrive for the procedure wearing no makeup. The physician "degreases" the patient's face using alcohol or another cleanser. Some degree of pain accompanies all types of peels. For a superficial peel, use of a hand held fan to cool the face during the procedure is often sufficient. For medium-depth peels, the patient may take a sedative or aspirin. During the procedure, cold compresses and a handheld fan can also reduce pain. Deep peels can be extremely painful. Some physicians prefer general anesthesia, but local anesthetics combined with intravenous sedatives are frequently sufficient to control pain.

Within a day or so following a superficial peel, the skin will turn faint pink or brown. Over the next few days, dead skin will peel away. Patients will be instructed to wash their skin frequently with a mild cleanser and cool water, then apply an ointment to the skin to keep it moist. After a medium-depth peel, the skin turns deep red or brown, and crusts may form. Care is similar to that following a superficial peel. Redness may persist for a week or more. Deep-peeled skin will turn brown and crusty. There may also be swelling and some oozing of fluid. Frequent washing and ointments are favored over dressings. The skin typically heals in about two weeks, but redness may persist.

Cosmetic surgery for men

More men are choosing cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks and improve their physique than ever before. If you want to change a facial or physical feature, or reverse the signs of ageing, you too can choose cosmetic surgery. Our range of facial cosmetic surgery includes brow lifts, facelifts and eye bag removal to help you look younger, while nose jobs (rhinoplasty), ear pinning (pinnaplasty) and cheek or chin implants can adjust specific features.

If you have parts of your body that you are not happy with, or that you can’t change no matter how hard you diet or exercise, cosmetic surgery could also be the answer. We can help you build a stronger looking physique with pectoral and calf implants, and reshape your body with procedures such as liposuction and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). We also offer male breast reduction to address conditions such as gynecomastia (also known as man boobs or ‘moobs’).

We realise that undertaking cosmetic surgery is a big decision, so at Spire Healthcare you will have the choice of a range of highly experienced surgeons and you can be assured of discretion at all times. So if what you see in the mirror doesn’t reflect how you feel or the way you want to look, then contact Spire Healthcare. With expert cosmetic and plastic surgeons, high clinical standards and over 25 years’ experience, you can rely on us to look after you.

Laser tattoo removal

Did you know you can safely and effectively remove tattoos using laser technology? Your tattoo's size, style, color, depth, and age (how long you've had the tattoo) will determine the method and cost of its removal. A doctor or nurse practitioner can discuss these factors with you and recommend an appropriate treatment.
Laser treatments work best on dark colors, such as black, purple, blue, and red. Lighter colors, such as white, yellow, orange, green, and aqua, may take longer or may need more treatments.

In fact, these colors may never be completely eliminated. The depth of your tattoo will also affect the number of treatments you need. Most treatments take 15 minutes or longer, and it's not uncommon to need eight or more treatments spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. Tattoo removals are done on an outpatient basis, usually with a local anesthetic. After each treatment, your skin may be red and may sting like a sunburn for a few days. However, you should be able to resume your normal activities immediately. Keep the treated and dressed area out of the sun for at least 6 weeks, or as long as your doctor advises. Once the area is healed, you should protect it with sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher whenever it is exposed to the sun.

Home remedies for acne scars

Acne scar are the marks which are left after the acne is caused. These acne scars are more visible on the face and the major problem for the women’s concern. There are different kinds of acne scarring: ice pick scarring, atrophic scarring, and hypertrophic scarring. Ice pick scars are deep pitted scars with steep edges. Atrophic scars are pitted but have smooth borders and are not as deep. Hypertrophic scar, more common on the back and chest, are thick lumpy scars that sit above the surface of the skin.

Home Remedies for Acne Scars

Another home method to help remove acne scars is to combine 1 teaspoon of powdered nutmeg with 1 teaspoon of honey and apply it to the scarred area. After 20 minutes, wash it off with cool water. Do this twice a week, and within a couple of months you will see an improvement.

Rosehip seed oil is also another home remedy which reduces acne scars. This oil acts as an anti-aging agent and helps in the reduction of wrinkles, regenerates the skin and reverses discoloration. It is mostly used in the cosmetic products and used for acne scarring, facial scarring, surgical scars, sun damage, premature aging, burn marks etc. This oil should be massaged twice on the acne scars daily.

Paste of sandalwood (chandan) powder with black gram (masoor) dal can be used on facial skin to treat the acne. Keep it overnight and wash it with cold water the next day.

Make a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves. Apply it over the face every night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water. This will prevent pimples, blackheads, and wrinkles.

Make a paste of nutmeg (Jaiphal) with raw milk. Apply on pimples and black heads leave on for 20 minutes or overnight. Continue for 10-12 days, till face is clear.

Another effective homemade remedy to remove acne scars is a paste of gram flour, turmeric, lemon juice and curds. Leave this mixture on for about ten to twenty minutes and you will see the difference.

Another great can scar home treatment is baking soda. Baking soda functions as a homemade microdermabrasion treatment. Simply mix one teaspoon of baking soda with about two teaspoons of mineral water and gently apply the mixture to your face and rub in circular motion. Rinse after sixty seconds. This will also leave your skin smooth and silky.

Take one-third of a cup of finely powdered Fuller's earth, and add a tablespoonful of fresh potato juice to it. This makes a good deep-cleansing mask. Wash it off with warm water and then splash cold water on the face. Another good Home Remedy for curing acne.

An effective remedy for acne scar removal is to apply the juice of cucumber and tomato over your face. Tomato is rich in antioxidants and can prevent skin damage at the cellular level. It also improves the skin tone and strengthens the immune system. Another advantage is that cucumber and tomato help in tightening the skin pores.

Put egg whites all over your face (like a mask)..egg whites are driers and will remove all the impurities from your face. Leave it on until every spot is dry (depends on the type of skin you have) it works so well. use for 2-3 days or continue use. It works wonders for curing Acne!!

Acne scar treatment options

For medium or deep scars, there are a number of surgical or cosmetological options available. A plastic surgeon or a dermatologist who has professional training and experience in treating acne scars are the doctors whom you should approach for these procedures:

• chemical peels for acne scars
• dermabrasion for acne scarring
• exoderm lift
• needle subcision of individual acne scars
• acne scar revision
• laser resurfacing of scars
• cryoslush
• soft-tissue augmentation
• intralesional steroid injection
• excisional surgery in selected cases

There are many effective techniques to get rid of acne scars. The choice of treatment modality depends upon the age and sex of the sufferer, type of the acne, extent and depth of the scars, affordability and cost effectiveness of the procedures, and, finally, the expertise and facilities available at the treatment center.

Psychological aspects

Plastic surgery -- whether cosmetic or reconstructive -- encourages and promotes a strong, positive self-image. Even a small change on the outside can create an extraordinary change on the inside, allowing an individual's self-confidence to flourish. Because the changes resulting from plastic surgery are often dramatic and permanent, it's important that you have a clear understanding of how surgery might make you feel-- long before a procedure is scheduled.

This brochure will provide you with a basic understanding of the psychological issues involved with plastic surgery. It can't answer all your questions, since your individual circumstances and your self-image must be considered. Ask your surgeon if there is anything you don't understand about the possible psychological aspects and effects of your planned procedure.

There are two categories of patients who are good candidates for surgery. The first includes patients with a strong self-image, who are bothered by a physical characteristic that they'd like to improve or change. After surgery, these patients feel good about the results and maintain a positive image about themselves. The second category includes patients who have a physical defect or cosmetic flaw that has diminished their self-esteem over time. These patients may adjust rather slowly after surgery, as rebuilding confidence takes time.

However, as they adjust, these patients' self-image is strengthened, sometimes dramatically. It's important to remember that plastic surgery can create both physical changes and and changes in self-esteem. If you are seeking surgery with the hope of influencing a change in someone other than yourself, you might end up disappointed. It's possible that friends and loved ones will respond positively to your change in appearance and self-confidence, however understand and accept that plastic surgery will not cause dramatic changes in people other than you.

Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for plastic surgery, despite physical indications which are ideal for any given procedure. Experienced plastic surgeons can usually identify troubled patients during a consultation. Sometimes, plastic surgeons will decline to operate on these individuals. Other times, they may recommend psychological counseling to ensure that the patient's desire for an appearance change isn't part of an emotional problem that no amount of surgery can fix. If your plastic surgeon recommends counseling for you, feel free to ask your surgeon how he or she expects the sessions to help you.

Though there are exceptions, individuals who may be advised to seek counseling prior to any consideration of surgery include: Patients in crisis, such as those who are going through divorce, the death of a spouse, or the loss of a job. These patients may be seeking to achieve goals that cannot be obtained through an appearance change-goals that relate to overcoming crisis through an unrelated change in appearance is not the solution. Rather, a patient must first work through the crisis.

Patients with unrealistic expectations, such as those who insist on having a celebrity's nose, with the hope that they may acquire a celebrity lifestyle; patients who want to be restored to their original "perfection" following a severe accident or a serious illness; or patients who wish to find the youth of many decades past.
Impossible-to-please patients, such as individuals who consult with surgeon after surgeon, seeking the answers they want to hear. These patients hope for a cure to a problem which is not primarily, or not at all physical.

Patients who are obsessed with a very minor defect, and may believe that once their defect is fixed, life will be perfect. Born perfectionists may be suitable candidates for surgery, as long as they are realistic enough to understand that surgical results may not precisely match their goals. Patients who have a mental illness, and exhibit delusional or paranoid behavior, may also be poor candidates for surgery. Surgery may be appropriate in these cases if it is determined that the patient's goals for surgery are not related to the psychosis. In these cases, a plastic surgeon may work closely with the patient's psychiatrist.

During your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will seek honest answersto how you feel about your appearance, how you believe others see you, and how you'd prefer to look and feel. Honesty, with yourself and with the surgeon is essential. It's important that you set aside any awkwardness you might feel, and speak candidly about the changes you'd like to see. At the end of the consultation, you should feel confident that you and your surgeon understand each other completely.

Also, it is unwise to stress a minor functional problem if your true desire is to have an improved appearance. A patient who pretends to be seeking relief for a functional problem may confuse the surgeon about that patient's true goals for surgery. Often these patients stress a functional problem with the hope of obtaining insurance coverage for the procedure even though a functional problem does not exist. If your goals for surgery are not clearly communicated to your surgeon, you may not be satisfied with the final result.

laser removal of brown spot

Are you seeing spots? High-energy pulsing lasers can safely and effectively remove many unwanted brown and red spots on your skin, including liver spots, age spots, sun spots, broken capillaries, birthmarks, and angiomas (red spots). Once the lasers do their job, you can have a more even skin tone. Laser treatments usually take 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the size, color, and depth of the spot, as well as the number of spots to be treated. Most treatments do not require any anesthetic, and all are done on an outpatient basis. Red spots can usually be treated in one to two visits. Brown spots may require two to three visits. Broken capillaries or red-colored scars may need multiple treatments.

When removing red spots, the skin is often reddened or bruised for 7 to 10 days after the treatment and may sting like a sunburn for a few hours. Removing brown spots forms an abrasion and also temporarily reddens the skin. After each treatment, you can resume your normal activities immediately, although you should keep the treated area out of the sun for at least 6 weeks, or as long as your doctor advises. Once the area is healed, you should protect it with sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher whenever it is exposed to the sun.
Side effects may include hypopigmentation (lightening of the treated skin) or hyperpigmentation (darkening of the treated skin). Laser treatment will not stop new spots from forming. Your doctor will discuss with you all the risks and benefits of treatment during your consultation.

Laser hair reduction

If you have areas of unwanted hair that cause you distress, or are just too much effort to manage by shaving, plucking or waxing, laser hair reduction could be the answer. Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) and laser therapy are two methods that can achieve hair reduction. They can be used on large and small areas of hair on the body or face anywhere except near your eye.


During laser hair reduction, the beam from the laser or IPL device is focused onto the area of skin that has the unwanted hair. The hair follicle absorbs the light and heats up, destroying the hair with the aim of preventing re-growth. An individual treatment of IPL or laser therapy will thin out the hair to start with. So, for the best results, a series of treatments is usually required.

When you receive laser hair reduction treatment at Spire you will have the procedure performed by an experienced specialist in the safe and comfortable surroundings of a private hospital. As with any cosmetic procedure, it is important that you review your expectations thoroughly before you decide to proceed. Your specialist will explain the results you can expect, and will discuss the associated risks and alternatives to the procedure before going ahead.

Types of anesthesia

Three basic types of anesthesia are used for plastic surgery procedures. A local injection, which numbs only the immediate area to be operated on, is used mainly for less invasive procedures. Local injection plus sedation allows the patient to remain awake, yet relaxed through the entire procedure and is a common type of anesthesia used for cosmetic surgery procedures. General anesthesia, which allows a patient to sleep though the procedure, is usually used when large areas of the body are involved, or in children.

Whether a procedure is performed in an in-office surgical facility, a hospital, or a freestanding surgery center usually depends upon the complexity of the operation and the plastic surgeon's recommendation.
For cost-containment and convenience, an increasing number of procedures -- especially cosmetic operations -- are being performed in freestanding or office-based surgical facilities on an outpatient basis. Patients planning to have surgery in this type of facility should ensure that it is properly equipped and staffed, that it has access to a nearby hospital, that the anesthesia will be administered by a well-trained professional, and that the doctor has privileges to perform the same procedure at an accredited hospital.

Plastic surgery and patient care

This information is intended to assist those who have general questions about plastic surgery. It includes information about how plastic surgery fits into medical care, how plastic surgeons are trained, and the types of cases that plastic surgeons commonly treat. For more detailed information about a particular surgical procedure, request one of the brochures listed on the back cover of this publication. Remember, each case is unique and a great deal depends upon the patient's individual circumstances. Specific questions about surgery can be best answered in a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.


History suggests that the practice of plastic surgery has ancient roots. However, plastic surgery as a defined specialty became fully recognized during World War I. Today, scientific advances in the field allow plastic surgeons to achieve improvements in form and function thought to be impossible 10 years ago.

A board-certified plastic surgeon is a doctor trained to be a concerned care-giver, a wound-care expert, a problem-solver, an artist-designer, and a meticulous surgeon in the operating room. It's important to realize that not every doctor who has claimed the title "plastic surgeon"; has the same training. The truth is, anyone with a medical degree can call himself or herself a plastic surgeon; there are no laws that require doctors offering specialty care to meet certain qualifications. In checking a plastic surgeon's credentials, patients are advised to consider a doctor who has completed an accredited residency training program specifically in plastic surgery. Such a program includes two or three years of intensive training that covers the full spectrum of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.


Patients are encouraged to consider a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS, a patient can be assured that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency training  usually three years of general surgery (or its equivalent) and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor must also practice plastic surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral exams. Good credentials do not guarantee a successful outcome, but they can guide you to select a surgeon whose training and background will help you to meet your personal goals.

Although much depends upon the patient's unique circumstances, there are certain situations that almost always warrant the specialized care that a plastic surgeon can provide. Typically, a plastic surgeon is consulted when a child is born with a defect that affects function and/or normal appearance or when accident, injury, disease, or aging causes a physical abnormality. Plastic surgeons also are consulted in hand surgery, microsurgery, and craniofacial and maxillofacial surgery.

Emergency cases, such as facial lacerations, burns, trauma, and bite wounds, are also commonly treated by plastic surgeons. A patient who requests a plastic surgeon in the emergency room -- rather than allowing the "on-duty" doctor to close a significant wound -- is more likely to be satisfied with the end result. Reconstructive surgery is covered by most health insurance policies, although the specifics of coverage may vary greatly. Some carriers may fully cover reconstructive procedures, others may pay only a portion of the cost.

Cosmetic surgery, however, is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective and not considered a medical necessity. Some plastic surgeons accept major credit cards or offer financing programs that allow patients to make manageable monthly payments for cosmetic surgery. Keep in mind that there are a number of "gray areas" in plastic surgery that sometimes require special consideration by an insurance carrier. For example, eyelid surgery -- a procedure normally performed to achieve cosmetic improvement -- may be covered if drooping eyelids obscure a patient's vision. In assessing whether the procedure will be covered, the carrier often looks at the primary reason the procedure is being performed: is it for relief of symptoms or for aesthetic improvement.

A patient's age, skin type, general health, genetic background, and the nature of his or her condition can all affect any final result. Patients who smoke may not heal as quickly as non-smoking patients. Patients with sun-damaged skin may not achieve the same degree of improvement as those without sun-damaged skin.
Though there is no way to exactly predict a surgical outcome, the surgeon will examine the known patient variables before surgery begins and can project an estimate of the surgical result. Patients can take comfort in knowing that most of the procedures performed today have been refined over several decades.

In recent years, some plastic surgeons have begun using computer-imaging machines during consultations to show patients an estimate of post-operative appearance. A photograph of the patient is transferred to a computer screen and then altered by the surgeon to approximate the post-operative result. Doctors who use imaging find that computer-generated pictures can enhance doctor-patient communication. It's important for the patient to realize that a computer image may not match reality and represents no guarantee of outcome. No computer can take into account a patient's skin elasticity, bone structure, blood supply, and healing ability.

Laser vein treatment

Spider and varicose veins can develop after childbirth or after taking certain medications, because of hormone changes, weight gain, or prolonged sitting or standing, or they may be an inherited family trait. Spider and varicose veins can be embarrassing—they make many people self-conscious about wearing sports clothes, shorts, or summer tops. And if you have spider veins on your face, even a good makeup concealer won’t always cover the veins completely.

Spider veins are cherry red in color and usually appear on the legs, sometimes on the arms, and occasionally on the face. They are thin and thread-like, usually 1-2 mm in diameter, and generally appear in a linear pattern, a branch-like pattern, or a spider pattern. Spider veins on the face, legs, arms, or body can usually be treated with lasers. 

Spider veins can be treated with lasers, especially on the face, where the veins are too small and too close to the skin’s surface to be effectively collapsed with sclerotherapy. Lasers destroy the targeted veins without damaging surrounding tissues. Laser treatments are performed on an outpatient basis and usually take from 15 minutes to an hour. You  may require more than one treatment. Cold compresses are recommended to reduce swelling, the treated area may bruise for approximately a week, and discoloration may last for a few weeks. In darker skin types, there is the risk of permanent discoloration of the skin, so you should discuss this issue with your nurse or physician during your consultation. Although laser treatment does not prevent new veins from forming, it is a very effective treatment that usually produces few, if any, side effects.

About laser hair removal

This noninvasive laser treatment uses gentle beams of light to get rid of hair. The hair's melanin (the part that gives hair its color) absorbs the light, which turns into heat. The heat damages the follicle (but not the surrounding skin or tissue) and prevents it from producing more hair. Treatments typically last about 30 minutes and you don't have to take time off to recover-so you can get back to your normal activities immediately. Laser hair removal usually requires three to seven treatments and works best for people with light skin and dark hair. Laser hair removal can treat hair anywhere on the face or body. Women often treat the bikini area, chin, upper lip, and legs. Men can safely eliminate unwanted hair from places such as their backs.

Administered by a licensed nurse or physician, a small hand-held laser device used to deliver the light beams is placed on the treatment area. You might experience some mild discomfort during the session-like the feeling of a rubber band snapping against your skin. A topical anesthetic can be applied 60 minutes before your session, if needed, and some people like to briefly apply an ice pack afterwards. During the procedure you'll wear tinted goggles to protect your eyes from the laser light. For each treatment, we typically schedule three to seven sessions about four to five weeks apart.

Laser hair removal works when the light beams are absorbed by the melanin in the hair shaft and follicle. People with dark hair are considered the best candidates. Blonde, gray, and strawberry-blonde hair may not absorb the laser light. And contrast between the hair and your skin is also important, so people with dark or olive-colored skin may not have enough contrast for the beams to be absorbed by the hair follicle.
Each person responds differently to laser hair removal. Some may require more treatments than others. And sometimes laser hair removal can't eliminate hair completely. If some hair does grow back, it's usually thinner and finer than before the treatment.

Acne scar removal procedure

Acne Vulgaris is a skin disease which is caused by the changes in the top most layer of the skin. It appears in the forms of pimples or other blisters. Acne Scar removal procedure acquires importance as the disease infects almost 90 percent of the entire global populace.The scar removal procedures are actually surgical procedures which help to fade, improve or completely remove the various degrees of acne scarring. It is, however, extremely important to not get fooled by the numerous non-invasive methods or fake over-the-counter products that are also available in the market.

The scar removal procedures use laser lights, topical medications, chemicals, manual abrasion or surgical removal for smoothening out the skin. Fillers and filling products are also used where the procedure calls for filling up the depressions on the skin. The different types of fillers used are your own fat, pig collagen, cow collagen, cultured human collagen, synthetic fillers like polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), Artefill and Sculptra and so on. In some cases, only topical medications applied over the skin are enough to heal and fill up the scars on its own.

But before opting out for scar removal treatments you must be in good health. Since these procedures are surgical procedures, needles will be injected in your skin and certain things might be added to your body, or removed from it. You must also not be suffering from any major or minor disease in addition to your acne.
Your communication with your doctor must be complete and sincere. And, you must not have any unrealistic expectations out of your surgery. The surgical options are mainly suitable for cystic acne scar removals. You can go for microdermabrasion or macrodermabrasion. In microdermabrasion aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide crystals are used to blast away the upper most layer of the skin which holds the scar. Both positive pressure, i.e. blower, as well as negative pressure, i.e. suction is applied at the same time to clear away the mess. This also increases the blood flow in the affected area allowing it to heal on its own.

Macrodermabrasion uses salts or ultrasonic energy to remove the top layer of the affected area.
Chemical peels include salicylic acids, lactic acids, trichloroacetic acid, and so on, to peel off the scar from the skin. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) removes hyper-pigmentation by exposing the affected part of the skin to a very bright light. Laser resurfacing uses lasers such as Carbon Dioxide, CoolTouch and Smoothbeam to remove the affected portions of the skin. Punch Graft is used for the more severe, ice-pick scars. The entire skin portion is punched out and then the wound is stitched closed. Skin Lifting is another procedure which is suitable for those with multiple but shallow scars. It stretches out the skin, thereby, lessening the visibility of the scars. Therefore, we see that acne scar removal procedure has come of age and newer and safer techniques have been evolved to assist you now.

Happenning after scar revision

What happens during a scar revision surgery?
Anesthesia. The medicine given to your comfort during the surgical procedure. Including the option of local anesthesia, intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you. Maintenance. The level of improvement that can be achieved with a scar revision will depend on the severity of your scars, and the type, size and location of the scar. In some cases, a technique that can provide a significant improvement. However, your plastic surgeon may recommend a combination of scar revision techniques to achieve the best results.

Topical treatment, such as gel, tape or external compression, may assist in wound closure and healing, or to reduce the ability to produce skin pigment irregularities. This product can be used to treat existing wounds and surface color changes, and to help the healing wound revision procedure. Maintenance injections are often used to fill depressions or sunken scars. Depending on the injection of substances used and the condition of your particular scar, the results may last from three months to several years. Therapy should be repeated to maintain results. One form of injection therapy using steroid-based compound to reduce the formation of collagen and can change the appearance, size and texture of raised scar tissue.

Surface treatment is most often used for cosmetic improvement of scars. These methods can soften uneven surfaces and reduce pigmentation irregularities. Surface treatment is controlled by means of either mechanically remove the top layer of skin or change the nature of the network. These treatment options include Mechanical dermabrasion is a skin polishing. Laser or light therapy causes changes in the skin surface allowing new, healthy skin to form scars on the site. Chemical peel solution to penetrate the skin's surface to soften the irregularities in the texture and color. Skin bleaching agent applied topical medication to relieve the skin.

Sometimes for more in-depth surgical incision scar is required to remove the old scar. Some scars require layered closure. Layered closure is often used in which the excision extended to the network under the skin or in areas with high levels of movement. The first step, or sub-dermal layers require closure (under the skin) to be absorbed or non-removable stitches. Layer closure continues to build, concluded with the closure of the remaining surface of the wound. Sophisticated techniques in scar revision including the closure of the complex to cover the scar positioned so that the less conspicuous, or increase the flexibility in which contracture have limited mobility.

Pharmacy network replacement can be used if a lot of healthy tissue is not present for the closing of scar excision. This is more likely with scar revision severe burns. Network expansion can be a substitute for skin grafts. In this procedure, an inflatable balloon, called a tissue expander is placed under the skin near the scar site. Over time, the balloon slowly filled with sterile solution to expand the area of healthy skin. After the skin has been stretched enough, the developers and the scar is removed and the stretched skin is moved to replace the scar tissue. This process may involve several stages or surgical procedures to achieve the final result.
Important facts about the safety and the risk of scar revision surgery

The decision to have scar revision surgery is very personal and you must decide whether the benefits will achieve your goals and if the potential risks and complications are acceptable. Your plastic surgeon and / or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign a consent form to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will experience, one alternative and the most likely and the potential risk of complications.