What to Expect after Scar Revision Surgery By The Landings Surgical Centre on April 23, 2023

Blemishes on the skin can be a source of insecurity. Mole removal and scar revision can diminish the appearance of imperfections on the skin.

At The Landings Surgical Center, our surgeons offer several options to improve the appearance of scars. Scar revision surgery is one of the most effective ways to dramatically reduce the appearance of scars.

When considering treatments for scars, it’s important to have a good understanding of what to expect after scar revision surgery at our Halifax, Nova Scotia, practice, also serving Prince Edward Island.

About Scars and Scar Revision Surgery

Scars are a natural part of the healing process. Typically made of fibrous tissue, scars replace skin that is lost or damaged after an injury, surgery, infection, or other trauma to the skin.

Scars can take on different types of appearances. Some people will develop raised scars, lumpy scars, dark scars, or indented scars.

Scar revision surgery can help improve the appearance of scars and make them less noticeable. There are different techniques that can be used for scar revision surgery. Generally speaking, scar revision surgery involves the removal of scar tissue and closing the incision in a way, sometimes a zig-zag shape, to make the new scar less noticeable.

What to Expect Immediately After Surgery

Most patients experience some discomfort after surgery, as well as swelling and bruising. Pain medication is typically prescribed and over-the-counter pain relievers are frequently recommended to help manage pain and discomfort during recovery.

Pain usually resolves within a week or two after surgery, but full healing can take several weeks. It should also be noted that the extent of discomfort and length of time needed for healing will depend on how much scar tissue was removed, the technique used to remove the scar tissue, and personal healing times.

Aftercare and Resuming Normal Activities

Patients will be provided instructions for caring for their specific scar revision, including how to properly care for their incisions, as well as how often to replace any bandages or wound dressings necessary to reduce the risk of infection.

Patients may also need to avoid certain activities, especially if their scar revision treatment is in an area that would be irritated by movement, like the wrist or knee, or if there is a significant amount of tissue removed to treat the scar.

Patients will generally receive approval from a doctor as to when they can resume normal activities during a follow-up appointment. Most patients are cleared within four to six weeks of surgery.

What Results Should Be Expected?

After scar revision surgery, scars should look less noticeable, but they will not be completely gone. The degree to which scars are less conspicuous after surgery depends on many factors such as the size of the scar, skin quality, and wound aftercare.

Scar revision can dramatically improve the appearance of many scars. Although it’s common for patients to want to see immediate improvement in the appearance of their scars, patients should expect it to take several months and sometimes up to a year to see the final results.