I Have a Terrible Scar: Can You Help?

Regardless of how you acquired your scar, scar revision interventions can minimize its appearance. At the Aesthetic Surgery Center, board-certified and reconstructive surgeon Elliott H. Rose, MD, has the experience and skills necessary to make even the most terrible scars blend into surrounding skin so they don’t serve as a reminder of the trauma you experienced.

No matter where your scar is, Dr. Rose can help. Here are some of the ground-breaking techniques he uses to revise scars.

Scars that benefit from revision

Superficial scars, such as mild acne scars and other surface irregularities, fade with time and often respond well to cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers or intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. These types of scars don’t affect your ability to function, and they don’t cause pain.

But, other scars require more intensive revision procedures. They include:

• Hypertrophic scars: thick clusters of scars that are raised, red, and uncomfortable
• Keloids: large, itchy, or painful scars that extend beyond the edges of the original wound
• Contractures: scars that occur when your underlying tissue shrinks during healing

All of these scars cause movement restriction, disfigurement, and discomfort.

To resolve these scars, Dr. Rose may use any, or a combination of, the following techniques:

Laser treatment

If your scar is not too deep, laser treatment can resolve unsightly thickening and discoloration. Dr. Rose uses state-of-the-art Fraxel laser technology to pinpoint scarred skin and penetrate the damaged tissue.

The laser features multiple wavelengths, which can help redirect collagen to flatten thickened, bumpy scars. It can also lighten areas of dark pigmentation.

The Fraxel laser delivers microscopic columns of energy, so tissue surrounding your scar is unaffected. Scars treated with laser technology heal relatively quickly. Results usually show after a series of treatments performed over four to six weeks.

Aesthetic facial restoration

When you have serious scars on your face, Dr. Rose may perform scar revision surgery. He removes the scar and affected skin completely and recloses the wound very carefully. 

To help restore your look as much as possible, he uses 3D computer imaging to determine how to rearrange tissue so your features are balanced and natural looking. 

Dr. Rose revises your entire facial shape to disguise the effects of the scar.

Skin grafting

When skin is seriously damaged and thinned, Dr. Rose may use skin grafting to improve the look of terrible scars. This procedure involves taking a thin layer of skin from a discrete place on your body with similar coloration and texture and placing it over the scarred area.

Skin flap surgery

Skin flap surgery is more involved than skin grafting. It involves moving a thicker portion of skin from a healthy part of the body to the injured area. Not only is skin replaced, but the nerves, blood vessels, and muscle are also transferred to restore the scarred area’s appearance and function.

Camouflage techniques

Scar revision surgery goes a long way in improving the look of your scar. We also have a skilled makeup artist who can teach you camouflage techniques to hide any lingering blemishes that make you feel self-conscious.

Planning your scar revision

The extent of your scar revision depends on the location of the wound and its size and depth. Your age and your skin type also factor into the type of scar revision techniques Dr. Rose and his team uses.

When to have your scar revision really depends on your situation. In some cases, Dr. Rose may recommend you wait months, or even a year, for the scar to shrink and lighten. But in other instances, scar revision gives the best results when done 60-90 days after the scar matures.

Scars are physically and psychologically debilitating, but Dr. Rose has the skills, reputation, and experience to revise your scar and restore function and appearance. Call the office, located on the Upper East Side of New York City, New York, to learn more about your options. Dr. Rose treats people from around the country and the world.