Are You Considering a Scar Revision?

No two people heal in the same way, which means injuries and surgeries leave unique marks. But you don’t have to live with those scars forever. Our plastic surgeons can improve a scar's appearance on virtually any part of the body.

Just as no two scars are the same, scar revision procedures differ, too. At Penn Plastic Surgery, we offer the following types of scar revision procedures.

• Scar excision: The surgeon removes the scar and closes the skin, if there’s enough adjacent skin.
• Z- or W-plasty: The surgeon repositions the original scar along the natural lines of the skin.
• Skin grafting: Common for burns, the surgeon removes the scar and uses skin from another area of the body to cover the scar area.
• Skin flap: Similar to a skin graft, the skin and tissue below are moved from another part of the body to cover the scar site.

Scar revision surgery can help you look and feel better about your appearance, but keep in mind that the scar healing process takes about a year. Scars typically start out as red, then tighten, and finally relax into a more subtle color. Once the scar completely heals, you can talk with your surgeon about scar revision therapy.

The Penn Experience

Preparation for and recovery after scar revision

Your scar revision begins with a consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons, who will take into consideration the extent and location of your scar. Together, you’ll develop a plan that works for what you envision for yourself.

Because different areas of the body heal differently, recovery times and expectations differ as well. Surgery to repair a leg scar, for example, may take two weeks to heal, while a face procedure may take a week or less.

Your surgeon will talk about your expectations for after surgery, as well as how to care for your wound. Carefully follow the instructions to speed the process, but also make sure to ask any questions or voice any concerns. That’s why your care team is here.

Scar treatment risks

Scar revisions surgery is typically safe, but as with any surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, or the recurrence of the scar. To avoid these, follow your care team’s pre- and post-operative instructions, and keep an open dialogue about any concerns you have throughout the recovery process.