Virtually no one makes it through life without scars. For some, large or abnormally textured scarring causes problems, both aesthetically and medically.
If you’re tired of the look or feel of a scar, our team at Surgical Associates of North Texas can offer solutions.
Scott A. deVilleneuve, MD, has extensive training in scar revision and has helped many men and women feel better about the appearance of their scars as well as resolve physical issues related to scar tissue.
Here’s an overview of how scar revision works and what it might do for you.
While you may think about scarring in terms of the way it changes the appearance of your skin, your body’s ability to form scar tissue is nothing short of astounding. Scars develop in response to soft tissue damage. They work to close a wound and fill in any gaps left behind by an injury.
As soon as an injury occurs (including surgical incisions), your body jumps into action to address the situation. Platelets in your blood rush to the area and begin to clot, forming a fragile seal that slows or stops bleeding.
These platelets also prompt other cells to rush to the site, including monocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils.
These cells work to clear pathogens and cellular debris while also stimulating tissue granulation and repair. Fibroblasts gather to reduce the size of the wound by tissue contracture and also promote collagen production.
Over the coming weeks, new epithelial cells cover the wound, and tissue remodeling begins. The scar becomes stronger and eventually flattens over time.
Simply put, scarring is a lifesaving process that prevents you from bleeding to death when something disrupts your skin barrier.
Everyone creates scar tissue a bit differently. For some, scarring happens quickly and results in new tissue that is flat, relatively thin, and eventually blends in with the color of the surrounding skin.
Other people build thicker scar tissue that can be raised above the surface of the skin or take on a lumpy, irregular texture.
Thick, raised scars are called hypertrophic. Scars that are large and take on a lumpy shape are called keloids. It’s possible to have a combination of different scar types on various parts of your body.
Scar revision is a treatment that works to minimize the appearance of a scar or to address problems brought on by large areas of scar tissue. Some people seek scar revision purely for aesthetic purposes, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to reduce the size or improve the appearance of a scar.
For others, large or deep scars cause problems with the normal movement of a joint. Some scars can be painful, and scarring can also cause intense itching in the area, which can even lead to new skin damage if you scratch it.
One of the best ways to treat large or deep scarring is through surgical revision. Dr. deVilleneuve begins by assessing your scar and learning how it affects your everyday life. There are a number of different techniques he can use to change the look and feel of the scar.
Scar revision is usually done on an outpatient basis, so you’ll be able to return home the same day.
Dr. deVilleneuve uses a sharp surgical instrument to cut away the existing scar tissue. He then gathers the edges of the wound together for closure with sutures, surgical tape, or glue. The edges of the skin can be cut into a “Z” or “W” shape to allow the skin to flex as you move.
You’ll still have a scar as your body works to knot together the revision site. But that scarring should be far less noticeable than what you started with, and the smaller scar won’t cause the same limited movement as before. You’ll also learn how to take care of your scar as it moves through the healing process.
If you have one or more scars that you’re tired of dealing with, our team is here to help. Surgical Associates of North Texas is a wonderful resource in McKinney, Texas, and offers the very latest tools and techniques for optimal scar revision.
Booking a visit with our office is as simple as making a quick call. We also offer online booking that allows you to schedule at any time that’s convenient for you.
