What is Scar Revision?

Scar revision is a set of surgical and non-surgical techniques designed to improve the appearance, texture, and functionality of scars caused by surgery, injury, burns, or acne. Unlike keloids or hypertrophic scars, which are raised, scar revision addresses a variety of scar types, including depressed, widened, or discolored scars, to make them less noticeable and better aligned with surrounding skin. At Nairobi Sculpt Aesthetic Centre, Dr. Mukami Gathariki specializes in customized scar revision treatments, blending advanced methods to minimize scars and enhance skin aesthetics.

Dr. Mukami’s approach focuses on tailoring treatments to the scar’s type, location, and patient goals, ensuring optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes with minimal downtime.

Benefits of Scar Revision

• Enhanced Appearance: Minimizes the visibility of scars, blending them with surrounding skin for a smoother, more uniform look.
• Improved Functionality: Reduces scar-related restrictions in movement, particularly for scars near joints or on the face.
• Reduced Discomfort: Alleviates tightness, itching, or pain associated with certain scars.
• Customized Solutions: Combines surgical, laser, or topical treatments to address specific scar characteristics.
• Boosted Confidence: Improves self-esteem by reducing the prominence of visible or disfiguring scars.

Who is a Candidate for Scar Revision?

Ideal candidates for scar revision include individuals who:

• Are in good overall health with no active skin infections or uncontrolled medical conditions.
• Have scars from surgery, injuries, burns, or acne that cause cosmetic concerns or functional issues.
• Seek to improve the appearance of widened, depressed, discolored, or poorly healed scars.
• Have realistic expectations, understanding that scar revision improves but does not completely eliminate scars.
• Are committed to following post-treatment care to optimize healing and results.

During your consultation, Dr. Mukami will assess the scar’s type, size, location, and characteristics, review your medical history, and recommend a tailored treatment plan to achieve the best outcomes.

Types of Scar Revision Treatments

Dr. Mukami offers a range of scar revision techniques, often combined for optimal results:

• Surgical Excision: Removes the scar and recloses the wound with precise suturing techniques to create a finer, less noticeable scar.
• Z-Plasty or W-Plasty: Repositions the scar to align with natural skin lines, improving its appearance and flexibility, particularly for facial or joint scars.
• Laser Therapy: Uses fractional or pulsed-dye lasers to resurface the scar, reduce redness, and improve texture.
• Dermabrasion: Ssmooths the scar’s surface by removing the top layers of skin, ideal for raised or uneven scars.
• Microneedling: Stimulates collagen production to improve scar texture and blend it with surrounding skin.
• Corticosteroid Injections: Reduces inflammation and flattens raised scars, often used for hypertrophic scars in combination with revision.
• Silicone Gel or Sheets: Hydrates and softens scars to improve texture and reduce redness, used as an adjunctive therapy.
• Filler Injections: Elevates depressed scars (e.g., acne scars) to match surrounding skin, providing immediate improvement.
• Skin Grafting or Flap Surgery: Replaces severe scars with healthy skin, used for large or complex scars.

The Scar Revision Procedure

The scar revision process varies based on the chosen technique(s). Below is an overview:

1. Consultation: Dr. Mukami evaluates the scar’s type, location, and impact, discusses your goals, and designs a personalized treatment plan, which may combine multiple modalities.
2. Anesthesia: Surgical techniques (excision, Z-plasty, grafting) use local or general anesthesia, while non-surgical treatments (laser, microneedling, injections) may require topical numbing or none.
3. Procedure Execution:
   • Surgical Excision/Z-Plasty: The scar is removed or repositioned, and the wound is closed with fine sutures to minimize new scarring.
   • Laser/Dermabrasion/Microneedling: Targeted energy or mechanical techniques resurface the scar to improve texture and color.
   • Injections: Corticosteroids or fillers are injected to flatten raised scars or elevate depressed ones.
   • Silicone Therapy: Non-invasive application of silicone products, used consistently at home.
   • Skin Grafting/Flap Surgery: Healthy skin is transplanted to replace severe scars, typically for extensive damage.
4. Completion: Surgical sites are dressed, and non-surgical treatments conclude with aftercare instructions. Sutures, if used, are removed within 5–14 days.
5. Duration: Surgical procedures take 30–90 minutes, depending on complexity. Non-surgical treatments like laser, microneedling, or injections take 10–30 minutes per session. Silicone therapy is ongoing.

Dr. Mukami’s expertise ensures precise scar revision with minimal downtime, tailored to the scar’s characteristics and patient’s skin type.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from scar revision depends on the treatment method:

• Non-Surgical Treatments (Laser, Microneedling, Injections, Dermabrasion): Minimal downtime, with mild redness, swelling, or sensitivity resolving within hours to 3 days. Patients can resume normal activities immediately, avoiding irritation to the treated area.
• Surgical Excision/Z-Plasty:
  • First Week: Mild swelling, bruising, or discomfort at the surgical site, managed with medications. Sutures are removed within 5–14 days.
  • Two Weeks: Swelling subsides, and light activities can resume. Avoid stretching or trauma to the site.
  • One Month: Initial results are visible as the new scar begins to fade. Adjunctive therapies (e.g., silicone sheets) may continue.
  • Full Recovery: Final results are visible within 3–12 months as the scar matures and blends with surrounding skin.
• Skin Grafting/Flap Surgery: Longer recovery (2–6 weeks), with dressings and restricted activity to ensure graft integration.
• Silicone Therapy: Ongoing application for weeks to months, with minimal disruption to daily life.

Dr. Mukami provides comprehensive aftercare instructions, including:

• Keeping surgical sites clean and protected to prevent infection.
• Applying silicone gel or sheets consistently to soften and flatten the new scar.
• Avoiding sun exposure and using sunscreen to prevent hyperpigmentation of the treated area.
• Avoiding activities that cause tension or irritation to the scar to promote optimal healing.
• Attending follow-up appointments to monitor healing and administer additional treatments as needed.

Combining Scar Revision with Other Procedures

Scar revision can be paired with other scar management or aesthetic procedures for enhanced results, such as:

• Keloid or Hypertrophic Scar Treatment: Addresses raised scars in patients with multiple scar types for comprehensive improvement.
• Laser Skin Resurfacing: Enhances skin tone and texture around the scar for a cohesive appearance.
• Chemical Peels: Improves overall skin quality, particularly for pigmentation issues near scars.
• Facial Rejuvenation: Combines scar revision with Botox, fillers, or fat grafting for patients seeking both scar reduction and anti-aging benefits.
• Acne Scar Treatment: Uses microneedling or fillers alongside revision to address complex acne scarring.

Dr. Mukami will recommend complementary procedures based on your skin concerns and aesthetic goals during your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can scar revision completely remove a scar? Scar revision significantly improves a scar’s appearance, but complete removal is not possible, as some form of scar will remain, though less noticeable.
• Will I have a new scar after revision? Surgical revision replaces the old scar with a finer, less prominent scar. Non-surgical treatments do not create new scars.
• Is scar revision painful? Most treatments involve minimal discomfort, managed with anesthesia or numbing agents. Post-treatment soreness is mild and temporary.
• How many treatments are needed? Non-surgical treatments (e.g., laser, microneedling) often require 3–6 sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Surgical revision typically involves one procedure with follow-up therapies.
• When will I see results? Non-surgical treatments show gradual improvement over weeks to months. Surgical results are visible within 1–3 months, with full outcomes in 3–12 months.