Scar revision
It would be unusual to be without scars. We get them after almost any injury to the skin — surgery, trauma, infection, burns, or simply a deep enough cut. Scarring is part of how the body heals; it is not a failure of healing.
Patients come to us about scars for several reasons. Some have a scar from old surgery or an injury that has bothered them for years. Some have a recent scar that is healing in a way they were not expecting — raised, red, itchy, or pulling on surrounding skin. Some have keloids, which are scars that have grown beyond the original wound. Some are scheduled for an upcoming surgery and want to know how to give the resulting scar the best chance of healing well.
Two honest notes before the rest of this page. First, scar revision rarely produces no scar. It produces a better scar — flatter, paler, narrower, less visible, oriented in a more flattering direction, or simply less itchy. Anyone promising to "remove" a scar entirely is misunderstanding what the procedure does. Second, results are not entirely under our control. The same surgical technique on two different people will give different results because each person's skin heals differently, and skin types prone to keloids — including some Kerala skin — carry real limits on what is achievable. We will be honest about this during consultation.
The rest of this page covers the different types of scars, the treatments available (conservative, medical, and surgical), what to expect from each, and the practical things you can do yourself to improve outcomes.
Patients come to us about scars for several reasons. Some have a scar from old surgery or an injury that has bothered them for years. Some have a recent scar that is healing in a way they were not expecting — raised, red, itchy, or pulling on surrounding skin. Some have keloids, which are scars that have grown beyond the original wound. Some are scheduled for an upcoming surgery and want to know how to give the resulting scar the best chance of healing well.
Two honest notes before the rest of this page. First, scar revision rarely produces no scar. It produces a better scar — flatter, paler, narrower, less visible, oriented in a more flattering direction, or simply less itchy. Anyone promising to "remove" a scar entirely is misunderstanding what the procedure does. Second, results are not entirely under our control. The same surgical technique on two different people will give different results because each person's skin heals differently, and skin types prone to keloids — including some Kerala skin — carry real limits on what is achievable. We will be honest about this during consultation.
The rest of this page covers the different types of scars, the treatments available (conservative, medical, and surgical), what to expect from each, and the practical things you can do yourself to improve outcomes.
What affects how a scar heals?
The appearance of a scar is shaped by several factors:
The type of injury.
Crush injuries, burns, and infected wounds heal with worse scars than clean surgical incisions. The longer a wound takes to close, the more prominent the scar tends to be.
Location on the body.
Scars across natural skin creases and wrinkles heal better than scars at right angles to them. Scars over high-tension areas — the chest, shoulders, upper back — tend to widen or become hypertrophic. Scars on the face usually heal more favourably than scars on the trunk and limbs.
The patient's scarring tendency.
Some people simply heal with more prominent scars than others. This is largely genetic. Patients of South Asian, African, or East Asian skin types are at higher risk of hypertrophic scars and keloids than Caucasian patients.
What was done early.
Wounds that were closed promptly, kept clean, and protected from sun and tension during healing usually scar better than wounds that were not.
What was done after.
Scar management — silicone, pressure, sun protection — measurably improves outcomes when applied during the early scar maturation period.
The type of injury.
Crush injuries, burns, and infected wounds heal with worse scars than clean surgical incisions. The longer a wound takes to close, the more prominent the scar tends to be.
Location on the body.
Scars across natural skin creases and wrinkles heal better than scars at right angles to them. Scars over high-tension areas — the chest, shoulders, upper back — tend to widen or become hypertrophic. Scars on the face usually heal more favourably than scars on the trunk and limbs.
The patient's scarring tendency.
Some people simply heal with more prominent scars than others. This is largely genetic. Patients of South Asian, African, or East Asian skin types are at higher risk of hypertrophic scars and keloids than Caucasian patients.
What was done early.
Wounds that were closed promptly, kept clean, and protected from sun and tension during healing usually scar better than wounds that were not.
What was done after.
Scar management — silicone, pressure, sun protection — measurably improves outcomes when applied during the early scar maturation period.
Types of scars
Different scars behave differently and call for different approaches.
Hypertrophic scars.
Raised, red, sometimes itchy scars that stay within the boundary of the original wound. They usually become most prominent at three to six months after the injury, and then gradually settle over twelve to twenty-four months. Most hypertrophic scars improve significantly with conservative treatment.
Keloids.
Scars that grow beyond the original wound, sometimes well beyond. They are often itchy and may produce a thick discharge. Earlobes after piercing, the central chest, and shoulders are common sites. Keloids do not settle on their own and need active treatment. They are also prone to recur after surgical excision unless the surgery is combined with adjunctive measures such as steroid injection, pressure, or post-operative radiotherapy.
Atrophic scars.
Depressed scars where tissue is lost — most commonly seen with acne, chickenpox, or after certain surgical wounds. These need volume restoration rather than excision.
Contractures.
Scars that have shortened and pull on surrounding tissue, often after burns. Contractures across joints can limit movement; contractures near the eye, mouth, or nose can distort surrounding features. These nearly always need surgical release rather than conservative management.
Widened or stretched scars.
Scars that have spread to a wider line than they should have — often a result of high tension on the wound during healing, particularly across the back, shoulder, or knee. These are usually managed with surgical revision once mature.
Pigmentation problems.
Some scars heal with darker pigmentation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or lighter pigmentation (hypopigmentation) than the surrounding skin. These are managed with topical agents and sun protection rather than surgery.
Hypertrophic scars.
Raised, red, sometimes itchy scars that stay within the boundary of the original wound. They usually become most prominent at three to six months after the injury, and then gradually settle over twelve to twenty-four months. Most hypertrophic scars improve significantly with conservative treatment.
Keloids.
Scars that grow beyond the original wound, sometimes well beyond. They are often itchy and may produce a thick discharge. Earlobes after piercing, the central chest, and shoulders are common sites. Keloids do not settle on their own and need active treatment. They are also prone to recur after surgical excision unless the surgery is combined with adjunctive measures such as steroid injection, pressure, or post-operative radiotherapy.
Atrophic scars.
Depressed scars where tissue is lost — most commonly seen with acne, chickenpox, or after certain surgical wounds. These need volume restoration rather than excision.
Contractures.
Scars that have shortened and pull on surrounding tissue, often after burns. Contractures across joints can limit movement; contractures near the eye, mouth, or nose can distort surrounding features. These nearly always need surgical release rather than conservative management.
Widened or stretched scars.
Scars that have spread to a wider line than they should have — often a result of high tension on the wound during healing, particularly across the back, shoulder, or knee. These are usually managed with surgical revision once mature.
Pigmentation problems.
Some scars heal with darker pigmentation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or lighter pigmentation (hypopigmentation) than the surrounding skin. These are managed with topical agents and sun protection rather than surgery.
Treatment options
Scar treatment ranges from doing nothing to extensive surgical reconstruction. The right approach depends on the type of scar, how mature it is, where it is on the body, the degree of any functional limitation, and what the patient is hoping for.
Conservative management. For many scars, this is all that is needed.
Topical agents. Various creams have a role.
Injection therapy. Steroid injections (intralesional triamcinolone) are the mainstay of treatment for hypertrophic scars and keloids. Injections are repeated every three to four weeks until the scar flattens. They are usually combined with silicone sheets and, where appropriate, pressure. Injections can lighten the scar slightly and cause some thinning of the surrounding skin; we discuss these effects before starting.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), prepared by centrifuging a small sample of the patient's own blood, is used for atrophic scars and to support healing. Done as an office procedure, it usually requires several sessions.
Resurfacing. For shallow scars, dermabrasion or chemical peels can improve surface texture by removing the top layers of skin and allowing new epithelium to form. Healing usually takes seven to ten days. Multiple sessions are often needed for meaningful improvement.
Surgical revision. For mature scars that bother the patient — too wide, in the wrong direction, contracted, or simply unsightly — surgical revision can substantially improve the appearance. This is covered in detail in the next section.
Conservative management. For many scars, this is all that is needed.
- Silicone application, in the form of sheets or gel, is one of the few measures with consistent evidence behind it. Worn or applied for several months, silicone reduces redness, height, and itch in hypertrophic scars and helps prevent keloids in patients prone to them.
- Pressure garments, custom-made and worn continuously, are particularly useful for large scars after burns. They need to be worn most of the day for many months to be effective.
- Massage with a simple emollient, done several times a day with gentle fingertip pressure, helps soften scars during the maturation phase.
- Sun protection is essential. Scars darken with sun exposure for at least the first year. Sunscreen daily and physical protection (caps, umbrellas, clothing) for the first twelve months protect a maturing scar.
Topical agents. Various creams have a role.
- Bleaching agents combined with sun protection help with darkly pigmented scars.
- Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are used for atrophic scars, often in combination with other treatments.
- We are honest about which topical agents have real evidence behind them and which do not. Many over-the-counter scar creams promise more than they deliver.
Injection therapy. Steroid injections (intralesional triamcinolone) are the mainstay of treatment for hypertrophic scars and keloids. Injections are repeated every three to four weeks until the scar flattens. They are usually combined with silicone sheets and, where appropriate, pressure. Injections can lighten the scar slightly and cause some thinning of the surrounding skin; we discuss these effects before starting.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), prepared by centrifuging a small sample of the patient's own blood, is used for atrophic scars and to support healing. Done as an office procedure, it usually requires several sessions.
Resurfacing. For shallow scars, dermabrasion or chemical peels can improve surface texture by removing the top layers of skin and allowing new epithelium to form. Healing usually takes seven to ten days. Multiple sessions are often needed for meaningful improvement.
Surgical revision. For mature scars that bother the patient — too wide, in the wrong direction, contracted, or simply unsightly — surgical revision can substantially improve the appearance. This is covered in detail in the next section.
Surgical scar revision techniques
Surgical revision is a small procedure that removes the existing scar and re-closes the wound in a more favourable way. The choice of technique depends on the situation.
Direct re-excision. A widened or stretched scar is excised and re-closed with careful technique to reduce tension on the wound. Usually combined with subcutaneous tension-reducing sutures and post-operative scar management to give the new scar the best chance of healing well.
Z-plasty. A scar that crosses a natural skin crease at the wrong angle is reorientated using a small zig-zag incision pattern, redirecting the scar along the natural lines of the skin. Z-plasty is also used to lengthen short scars that are pulling on surrounding tissue.
W-plasty. A long straight scar — which the eye reads easily — is converted into a series of small zig-zag segments that the eye reads with much more difficulty. The total scar length increases slightly but the visual prominence reduces significantly.
Geometric broken line closure. A more sophisticated form of W-plasty for long facial scars, designed to make the scar essentially impossible to follow visually because there is no repeating pattern.
Serial excision. For very large scars, particularly those left by burns or wide naevi, where removing the whole scar in one operation would leave a wound too large to close. Part of the scar is removed in stages over months, allowing the surrounding healthy skin to expand naturally between operations.
Skin grafts and local flaps. For large defects after scar removal, where direct closure is not possible. Skin grafts are taken from a donor site such as the thigh; flaps are pieces of adjacent tissue rotated or advanced into the defect with their blood supply intact. Both are used most often after burn contracture release.
Adjuncts after surgery. Surgical revision is rarely the end of the story. We almost always combine it with one or more of the conservative measures — silicone, taping, pressure, sun protection — for several months afterwards to support the new scar through its maturation phase.
Direct re-excision. A widened or stretched scar is excised and re-closed with careful technique to reduce tension on the wound. Usually combined with subcutaneous tension-reducing sutures and post-operative scar management to give the new scar the best chance of healing well.
Z-plasty. A scar that crosses a natural skin crease at the wrong angle is reorientated using a small zig-zag incision pattern, redirecting the scar along the natural lines of the skin. Z-plasty is also used to lengthen short scars that are pulling on surrounding tissue.
W-plasty. A long straight scar — which the eye reads easily — is converted into a series of small zig-zag segments that the eye reads with much more difficulty. The total scar length increases slightly but the visual prominence reduces significantly.
Geometric broken line closure. A more sophisticated form of W-plasty for long facial scars, designed to make the scar essentially impossible to follow visually because there is no repeating pattern.
Serial excision. For very large scars, particularly those left by burns or wide naevi, where removing the whole scar in one operation would leave a wound too large to close. Part of the scar is removed in stages over months, allowing the surrounding healthy skin to expand naturally between operations.
Skin grafts and local flaps. For large defects after scar removal, where direct closure is not possible. Skin grafts are taken from a donor site such as the thigh; flaps are pieces of adjacent tissue rotated or advanced into the defect with their blood supply intact. Both are used most often after burn contracture release.
Adjuncts after surgery. Surgical revision is rarely the end of the story. We almost always combine it with one or more of the conservative measures — silicone, taping, pressure, sun protection — for several months afterwards to support the new scar through its maturation phase.
Treating keloids
Keloids deserve a separate mention because they behave differently from other scars and are common in Kerala skin types.
Treatment is rarely a single procedure. The reliable approach is a combination — usually intralesional steroid injection over several months, plus silicone sheet application, plus pressure where the location allows. For larger or resistant keloids, surgical excision is sometimes added, but only if it is combined with active recurrence prevention immediately afterwards: steroid injection, post-operative radiotherapy, or both.
Surgical excision of a keloid without adjunctive treatment afterwards usually results in recurrence — often a larger keloid than the original. We do not perform keloid excision in isolation; the post-operative plan is part of the decision to operate.
Treatment is rarely a single procedure. The reliable approach is a combination — usually intralesional steroid injection over several months, plus silicone sheet application, plus pressure where the location allows. For larger or resistant keloids, surgical excision is sometimes added, but only if it is combined with active recurrence prevention immediately afterwards: steroid injection, post-operative radiotherapy, or both.
Surgical excision of a keloid without adjunctive treatment afterwards usually results in recurrence — often a larger keloid than the original. We do not perform keloid excision in isolation; the post-operative plan is part of the decision to operate.
Recovery after scar revision
Most surgical scar revisions are done under local anaesthesia as outpatient procedures. Larger revisions, scar contracture release, or revisions in children are usually done under general anaesthesia as short-stay procedures.
Sutures are removed at five to seven days for facial scars and seven to fourteen days for scars on the trunk and limbs. The new scar is then taped or supported with silicone for at least three months, sometimes longer.
The new scar will look red, raised, and visible for the first three months. It usually peaks in prominence at six weeks to three months, then gradually settles. The final result of a scar revision is not apparent until twelve to eighteen months after the procedure. We see patients at intervals during this period — usually one week, six weeks, three months, six months, and a year — to monitor progress and intervene if needed.
Sutures are removed at five to seven days for facial scars and seven to fourteen days for scars on the trunk and limbs. The new scar is then taped or supported with silicone for at least three months, sometimes longer.
The new scar will look red, raised, and visible for the first three months. It usually peaks in prominence at six weeks to three months, then gradually settles. The final result of a scar revision is not apparent until twelve to eighteen months after the procedure. We see patients at intervals during this period — usually one week, six weeks, three months, six months, and a year — to monitor progress and intervene if needed.
Practical things you can do yourself to improve scar outcomes
Whether you are recovering from a scar revision, healing a recent injury, or preparing for upcoming surgery, four things consistently help:
Help the wound heal as quickly as possible. Keep it clean, follow dressing instructions carefully, and seek medical attention if it is not healing as expected. The longer a wound takes to close, the more prominent the scar tends to be.
Protect the scar from the sun for at least a year. Daily sunscreen on the scar, even on days you are not stepping out — UV reaches scars through clouds and windows. Hats, umbrellas, and long sleeves help for outdoor exposure. Reapply sunscreen every three to four hours when outside.
Massage the scar with a simple emollient several times a day. Gentle fingertip pressure, no need for special creams. This helps the scar settle.
Come in early if a scar is becoming prominent. Hypertrophic scars and keloids are much easier to treat when they are six weeks old than when they are six years old. If you notice a scar becoming red, raised, itchy, or growing, an early visit gives you the best chance of catching it before it becomes more difficult to manage.
Help the wound heal as quickly as possible. Keep it clean, follow dressing instructions carefully, and seek medical attention if it is not healing as expected. The longer a wound takes to close, the more prominent the scar tends to be.
Protect the scar from the sun for at least a year. Daily sunscreen on the scar, even on days you are not stepping out — UV reaches scars through clouds and windows. Hats, umbrellas, and long sleeves help for outdoor exposure. Reapply sunscreen every three to four hours when outside.
Massage the scar with a simple emollient several times a day. Gentle fingertip pressure, no need for special creams. This helps the scar settle.
Come in early if a scar is becoming prominent. Hypertrophic scars and keloids are much easier to treat when they are six weeks old than when they are six years old. If you notice a scar becoming red, raised, itchy, or growing, an early visit gives you the best chance of catching it before it becomes more difficult to manage.
How much does it cost?
The cost of scar revision varies enormously depending on what is needed — from a single steroid injection in the clinic, to a small surgical revision under local anaesthesia, to extensive burn contracture release with grafts or flaps under general anaesthesia.
During your consultation, we will assess the specific scar and provide a transparent cost estimate based on what you actually need. Many scars need conservative management rather than surgery, and this is reflected in the cost.
Insurance coverage. Cosmetic scar revision is generally not covered by insurance in India. Reconstruction for functional scars (burn contractures limiting movement, scars distorting facial features after trauma) may sometimes be partially covered when supported by appropriate documentation.
During your consultation, we will assess the specific scar and provide a transparent cost estimate based on what you actually need. Many scars need conservative management rather than surgery, and this is reflected in the cost.
Insurance coverage. Cosmetic scar revision is generally not covered by insurance in India. Reconstruction for functional scars (burn contractures limiting movement, scars distorting facial features after trauma) may sometimes be partially covered when supported by appropriate documentation.
A note from us
Scar revision is one of those areas where managing expectations matters as much as the procedure itself. Most patients who come in have one of two stories. The first is someone who has been bothered by an old scar for years and has finally decided to do something about it. The second is someone who has noticed a recent scar healing in a way they were not expecting and is anxious that something has gone wrong.
The honest answer is usually the same in both cases. Almost every scar can be improved. Very few scars can be entirely erased. The aim is a better scar, not no scar — flatter, paler, narrower, oriented along better lines, less itchy, less obvious. That is genuinely achievable for most scars, but it usually requires a combination of measures over several months rather than a single procedure that fixes everything.
The other thing worth saying is that early treatment is usually easier than late treatment. A hypertrophic scar caught at six weeks responds well to silicone and pressure; the same scar at five years is much harder to flatten. If you are worried about how a scar is healing, an early visit costs nothing and gives the best chance of a good outcome.
If you would like to talk it through, call or WhatsApp us. We are happy to look and tell you honestly what is achievable.
The honest answer is usually the same in both cases. Almost every scar can be improved. Very few scars can be entirely erased. The aim is a better scar, not no scar — flatter, paler, narrower, oriented along better lines, less itchy, less obvious. That is genuinely achievable for most scars, but it usually requires a combination of measures over several months rather than a single procedure that fixes everything.
The other thing worth saying is that early treatment is usually easier than late treatment. A hypertrophic scar caught at six weeks responds well to silicone and pressure; the same scar at five years is much harder to flatten. If you are worried about how a scar is healing, an early visit costs nothing and gives the best chance of a good outcome.
If you would like to talk it through, call or WhatsApp us. We are happy to look and tell you honestly what is achievable.
If you are travelling for surgery
Scar revision is usually a small outpatient procedure that does not require an extended stay. The procedure can often be done on the same day as the consultation if the schedule permits, with same-day or next-day return home.
For larger revisions or burn contracture releases, plan to stay in Trivandrum for three to five days after the procedure to allow for the first follow-up before you head home.
Conservative scar management — silicone, pressure, steroid injections — is something that can largely be continued at home or coordinated with a doctor closer to you, with periodic review by phone, WhatsApp, or in-person visits as needed. We are happy to plan the follow-up around your travel.
For larger revisions or burn contracture releases, plan to stay in Trivandrum for three to five days after the procedure to allow for the first follow-up before you head home.
Conservative scar management — silicone, pressure, steroid injections — is something that can largely be continued at home or coordinated with a doctor closer to you, with periodic review by phone, WhatsApp, or in-person visits as needed. We are happy to plan the follow-up around your travel.
Frequently asked questions about scar revision
Can scars be removed completely?
No. Scar revision improves a scar — makes it flatter, paler, narrower, less visible, or better oriented — but it does not remove it entirely. Anyone promising complete removal is misunderstanding what the procedure does.
When should I have a scar revised?
Most surgical scar revisions are best done after the scar has matured — usually after twelve to eighteen months — because the appearance of a recent scar continues to change for a year or more, and operating too early often gives a worse result than waiting. Hypertrophic scars and keloids, by contrast, are best treated early with conservative measures rather than waiting.
What is the difference between a hypertrophic scar and a keloid?
A hypertrophic scar is raised and red but stays within the boundary of the original wound, and usually settles over twelve to twenty-four months. A keloid extends beyond the original wound, often grows over time, and rarely settles on its own.
How are keloids treated?
Usually with a combination of intralesional steroid injection, silicone sheet application, and pressure where possible. For larger or resistant keloids, surgical excision is added, but only if combined with active recurrence prevention afterwards. Keloid excision without follow-up treatment usually leads to recurrence.
How are acne scars treated?
Acne scars are usually atrophic — depressed rather than raised. Treatment depends on the depth and pattern: dermabrasion or chemical peels for shallow scars, fat grafting or filler for volume restoration in deeper scars, and surgical revision (subcision, punch excision) for specific scar types. Multiple sessions and combinations are often needed.
How are burn scars treated?
Conservative measures — silicone, pressure garments, massage, sun protection — are the foundation. Surgical release is added when contractures limit movement or distort features. Large burn scars often need staged surgical revision over months or years.
Will steroid injections hurt?
The injection is uncomfortable but brief. We use a fine needle and the discomfort lasts a few seconds. Most patients tolerate it without local anaesthesia, but anaesthetic cream can be applied beforehand for sensitive areas.
How many sessions of treatment will I need?
It depends on the scar. A simple surgical revision is usually one operation followed by months of conservative management. Steroid injections for keloids are usually three to six sessions at monthly intervals. Resurfacing procedures often need two or three sessions. We give an honest estimate during consultation.
How long until I see the result of a scar revision?
The new scar looks red and raised for the first three months, peaks in prominence at six weeks to three months, then gradually settles over twelve to eighteen months. Final result is apparent at one year.
Are some skin types more prone to bad scars?
Yes. Patients of South Asian, African, and East Asian skin types are at higher risk of hypertrophic scars and keloids than Caucasian patients. We discuss this honestly during consultation, and treatment plans for keloid-prone skin are designed accordingly.
Can scar revision be done on children?
Yes, with the same caveats as in adults. Small revisions in older children can be done under local anaesthesia; larger revisions and procedures in younger children are done under general anaesthesia as short-stay procedures.
No. Scar revision improves a scar — makes it flatter, paler, narrower, less visible, or better oriented — but it does not remove it entirely. Anyone promising complete removal is misunderstanding what the procedure does.
When should I have a scar revised?
Most surgical scar revisions are best done after the scar has matured — usually after twelve to eighteen months — because the appearance of a recent scar continues to change for a year or more, and operating too early often gives a worse result than waiting. Hypertrophic scars and keloids, by contrast, are best treated early with conservative measures rather than waiting.
What is the difference between a hypertrophic scar and a keloid?
A hypertrophic scar is raised and red but stays within the boundary of the original wound, and usually settles over twelve to twenty-four months. A keloid extends beyond the original wound, often grows over time, and rarely settles on its own.
How are keloids treated?
Usually with a combination of intralesional steroid injection, silicone sheet application, and pressure where possible. For larger or resistant keloids, surgical excision is added, but only if combined with active recurrence prevention afterwards. Keloid excision without follow-up treatment usually leads to recurrence.
How are acne scars treated?
Acne scars are usually atrophic — depressed rather than raised. Treatment depends on the depth and pattern: dermabrasion or chemical peels for shallow scars, fat grafting or filler for volume restoration in deeper scars, and surgical revision (subcision, punch excision) for specific scar types. Multiple sessions and combinations are often needed.
How are burn scars treated?
Conservative measures — silicone, pressure garments, massage, sun protection — are the foundation. Surgical release is added when contractures limit movement or distort features. Large burn scars often need staged surgical revision over months or years.
Will steroid injections hurt?
The injection is uncomfortable but brief. We use a fine needle and the discomfort lasts a few seconds. Most patients tolerate it without local anaesthesia, but anaesthetic cream can be applied beforehand for sensitive areas.
How many sessions of treatment will I need?
It depends on the scar. A simple surgical revision is usually one operation followed by months of conservative management. Steroid injections for keloids are usually three to six sessions at monthly intervals. Resurfacing procedures often need two or three sessions. We give an honest estimate during consultation.
How long until I see the result of a scar revision?
The new scar looks red and raised for the first three months, peaks in prominence at six weeks to three months, then gradually settles over twelve to eighteen months. Final result is apparent at one year.
Are some skin types more prone to bad scars?
Yes. Patients of South Asian, African, and East Asian skin types are at higher risk of hypertrophic scars and keloids than Caucasian patients. We discuss this honestly during consultation, and treatment plans for keloid-prone skin are designed accordingly.
Can scar revision be done on children?
Yes, with the same caveats as in adults. Small revisions in older children can be done under local anaesthesia; larger revisions and procedures in younger children are done under general anaesthesia as short-stay procedures.
Related topics
To know more about the changes that can be achieved with surgical scar revision, click here.
- Infographic on scar management tips
- Keloids: symptoms and treatment options. A keloid is a type of scar that grows beyond the initial site of injury. It is often associated with itching and discharge.
- FAQ about treatment of scars
- Surgical treatment option for scars
- Serial excision in plastic surgery. Indications and benefits
- What can be achieved with surgical scar revision?
- Plastic surgery for burn scars
- Hypertrophic scars | Prevention and Treatment
- Conservative management of scars at home
To know more about the changes that can be achieved with surgical scar revision, click here.
