Get Started with Scar Revision Surgery Near You
Scar Revision at Will Surgical Arts
Scars are a natural part of healing, but that doesn't mean you have to live with one that bothers you. Whether a scar is the result of a past surgery or an injury, it can affect how you feel about your appearance long after the original wound has healed. If a scar is in a visible spot, feels tight or uncomfortable, or simply doesn't reflect how you feel on the inside, a scar revision procedure may be able to help.
At Will Surgical Arts, scar revision is performed personally by our surgeons, Dr. Michael Will and Dr. Brian Will , who bring decades of combined experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Our nationally accredited facility in Ijamsville serves patients from throughout the Frederick area and across the Washington, DC metro region. We'd love to talk through your options and help you figure out the best path forward.
Request a consultation at Will Surgical Arts today.
How Scar Revision Treatment Works & What to Expect
Everything You Need to Know About Scar Revision Surgery
Scars come in many forms, and the right treatment depends on what kind of scar you have and what you're hoping to achieve. Here's a closer look at the most common types of scars and what scar revision typically involves.
Types of Scars That Can Be Treated
- Raised or hypertrophic scars: These scars sit above the surface of the skin because too much collagen was produced during healing. They can feel firm or itchy and are often darker than the surrounding skin. Treatments may include steroid injections, laser therapy, or surgical removal and reclosure.
- Keloid scars: Keloids are a more aggressive type of raised scar that grows beyond the boundaries of the original wound. They're more common in certain skin tones and can continue to grow over time. Treatment options vary, and your surgeon will discuss the best approach for your specific scar during your consultation.
- Depressed or pitted scars: These scars sit below the surface of the skin, often as a result of acne, chickenpox, or certain injuries. Techniques like excision, subcision, or fat grafting can help fill in these areas and create a smoother surface.
- Contracture scars: When scar tissue tightens and pulls the surrounding skin, it's called a contracture. This can restrict movement and is most common after burns or injuries over joints. Surgical release or repositioning can help restore more natural movement and appearance.
- Discolored or irregularly shaped scars: Some scars are flat but draw attention because of their color or shape. Resurfacing techniques and surgical revision can improve blending with the surrounding skin.
What Scar Revision Involves
There's no single technique that works for every scar. Your surgeon will evaluate your scar during your consultation and recommend the approach most likely to produce a meaningful improvement for your specific situation.
For some scars, a non-surgical treatment like dermabrasion is enough to make a significant difference. For others, surgical excision, where the scar is removed, and the wound is carefully reclosed using techniques designed to minimize new scarring, is the better option. In some cases, a combination of surgical and non-surgical approaches produces the best result.
One important thing to understand is that any surgical scar revision will create a new scar in place of the old one. The goal is to make that new scar smaller, better positioned, and less noticeable than what was there before. Your surgeon will walk you through realistic expectations before any decisions are made.
Recovery
Recovery from scar revision depends on the size and location of the scar and the technique used. Minor procedures may involve very little downtime, while more involved surgical revisions may require a week or more before returning to normal activities. Your surgeon will give you specific aftercare instructions, including guidance on sun protection, which is one of the most important things you can do to help a healing scar fade well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can scar revision completely remove a scar?
Scar revision can significantly improve how a scar looks and feels, but it can't eliminate it entirely. All scars are permanent at some level, because they're part of how the body heals. What revision does is replace a more prominent or problematic scar with one that's smaller, flatter, better positioned, or more naturally blended with the surrounding skin. For most patients, that improvement makes a meaningful difference in how they feel about the area.
How do I know if my scar is a good candidate for revision?
Most scars can benefit from some form of revision, but the right approach and the likely outcome vary a lot depending on the type of scar, how long you've had it, where it's located, and your skin type. In general, scars are best evaluated after they've fully matured, which typically takes at least a year from the time of the original injury or surgery. Scars that are still actively changing aren't usually good candidates for revision yet. Your surgeon will assess all of these factors during your consultation and let you know whether revision makes sense now or whether it's worth waiting a bit longer.
How do I book a consultation with a scar revision surgeon near me?
Scheduling at Will Surgical Arts is easy! You can request an appointment online or give us a call at (301) 874-1707 , and a member of our friendly team will get you set up. Your consultation is a relaxed, no-pressure conversation where your surgeon will take a look at your scar, explain your options, and give you an honest recommendation on what's most likely to help. We look forward to meeting you!