No matter the location or cause of a scar on your body, it is very likely that you have wished it away.

When the skin is in the process of recovering from an injury, whether the result of an accident, surgery, a burn, or acne, scarring will occur wherever multiple layers of the skin have been affected.

Once a scar forms, it is permanent but may be made less visible or relocated surgically.

With very few exceptions, most people are self conscious about facial scars. Some people may also experience diminished functionality of the eyes, mouth or nose due to scarring.

If you have wondered how facial scar revision could improve your appearance, self confidence or your level of facial functioning you have come to the right place

When a scar is of the contracture type, surgery generally involves removing the scar tissue entirely. Skin flaps, composed of adjacent healthy, unscarred skin, are then lifted and moved to form a new incision line. Where a flap is not possible, skin graft may be used.

A graft involves taking a section of skin tissue from one area and attaching it to another, and time must be allowed following surgery for new blood vessels and soft tissue to form.

Z­plasty is a method to move a scar from one area to another, usually into a natural fold or crease in the skin to minimize its visibility.

While Z­plasty does not remove all signs of a scar, it does make it less noticeable.

Dermabrasion and laser resurfacing are methods a surgeon uses to make “rough or elevated” scars less prominent, by removing part of the upper layers of the skin with an abrading tool or laser light.

Clearly, the scar will remain, but it will be smoother and less visible.

Keloid or hypertropic scars are often treated first with injections of steroids to reduce size. If this is not satisfactory, the scars can be removed surgically, and the incisions, closed with fine stitches, often resulting in less prominent scars.

Requirements for facial scar revision of course is good health. All details of the surgery are carefully considered in discussion with your surgeon.

Expectations of the surgery and of the surgeon must be realistic. A person considering facial scar revision must understand that there is no way to remove scars completely.

The goal is to improve the appearance of the scar either by disguising it, relocating it, or minimizing its prominence. Skin color, type, age, and the type of scarring, are all important factors that must be part of the discussion with your surgeon.

Different types of scars respond to different plastic surgery techniques. Timing of surgery is another important choice. Some surgeons advise against any scar revision in cases of injury for a period that might extend up to a year after the injury.This interval allows the body enough time to heal fully.

Whether you decision for scar revision surgery is desired for functional or cosmetic reasons, your choice of a facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance.

At La Fontaine Source De Jeunesse,Cosmetic Surgery Centre, you can be assured that we have the best surgeons available to suit your requirements.

Your surgeon will examine the scar in order to decide upon the proper treatment and inform you of the outcome that can be expected from facial scar revision surgery.

Different scars require different treatments. For example:

Burns: severe burns that destroy large sections of skin cause the skin to heal in a puckered way. As the skin heals, muscles and tendons may be affected in this “contracting” movement.

Keloid scars are a result of the skin’s overproduction of collagen after a wound has healed. These scars generally appear as growths in the scar site.

Hypertrophic scars, unlike keloids, do not grow out of the boundaries of the scar area, but because of their thick, raised texture, can be unsightly and may also restrict the natural movements of muscles and tendons.

Some facial scars are unattractive simply because of where they appear on the face, while others affect facial expression. All surgical possibilities will be discussed in the initial consultation along with risks involved for each type of scarring.

At your consultation your doctor will decide on how best to proceed with your scar revision surgery. Your surgeon will inform you about the anesthesia, any supportive surgery options, and answer any questions you may have.

Because scars are highly individualistic and the patient’s attitude toward scars is so personal, maximum improvement in facial scars may require more than one procedure, and more than one technique may be suggested.

You can expect to feel some discomfort after facial scar revision surgery. Some swelling, bruising and redness are generally unavoidable.

It is important for you to follow your surgeon’s after care recommendations.

Though the sutures will be removed within days after the surgery, your skin needs time to heal. Surgeons generally insist on decreased activity after surgery and instruct the patient to keep the head elevated when lying down, to use cold compresses to reduce swelling, and to avoid any activity that places undue stress on the area of the incision.

Depending on the surgery performed and the site of the scar, the facial plastic surgeon will explain the types of activities to avoid.

No medication should be taken without first consulting the surgeon. It is important to remember that scar tissues require a year or more to fully heal and achieve maximum improved appearance.

Facial plastic surgery makes it possible to correct facial flaws that can undermine selfconfidence. Changing how your scar looks can help change how you feel about yourself.

Insurance does not generally cover surgery that is purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery correct or improve scars caused by injury may be reimbursable in whole or in part. It is your responsibility to check with the insurance carrier for information on the degree of coverage.