Any “injury” to the skin that goes deep enough will produce a scar. This may be the result of trauma such as a laceration or very deep abrasion, burns or even elective as a necessary consequence of surgery. It is usually only when these are very perceptible that people will call them scars and contemplate addressing their appearance.

Scar revision is the generic term for the surgical approach that is aimed at improving the appearance of these scars and possibly also removing their untoward functional effects. The procedure can improve aesthetics and function but despite the misconception held by many, it will not make the scars disappear in their entirety. Once a scar, always a scar.

Scars can be wide, depressed, elevated, dark, and painful and even affect function such as causing a contracture at a joint. In its most common form, a scar revision would then entail the total or partial excision of the affected area and precise closure of the created defect possibly along with some ancillary techniques. Depending on the multiple factors such as size, location, complexity, health status and age, the procedure may be performed using a local anesthetic, sedation or even general anesthesia.

I see and treat a tremendous number of patients in my practice who present with a wide spectrum of undesirable scars. These include run of the mill wide or elevated scars, thick and symptomatic hypertrophic scars, keloids and burn scars. The improvements in appearance following scar revision can be quite dramatic and satisfying.

If you have any questions regarding scar revision, treatment of burn scars or keloids or any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform or if you would like to schedule a consultation with me, please call my office at 480-451-3000.

Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona

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