Scar revision is a broad term used to describe techniques that minimize or improve the appearance of scars. Scar revision can also help reduce pain and restore function to the area around a scar. Treatments include surgery, injections, and topical therapies.
Types of Scar Revision
There are several different scar revision techniques. The treatment that’s right for you will depend on factors like the type of scar, its severity, location, and your desired outcome.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are typically more effective for mild or newly formed scars, while a wound is healing. They are applied to the surface of your skin and don’t require any needles or incisions.
Topical treatments include:
Pressure Therapy This involves wearing a pressure dressing, such as an elastic bandage, to apply pressure to a wound. Applying pressure can help prevent scarring or reduce its appearance.
Polyurethane Dressing This is a moist, flexible pad that can help reduce scarring after surgery or reduce discoloration, hardness, and the size of a raised scar.
Silicone Gel This works similar to a polyurethane dressing and is applied as either a gel sheet or ointment. It is applied after a wound closes and you need to use it every day, often for months.
Injectables
Injectables are medications injected directly into your scar. They are most effective for keloids and raised scars and can help reduce their size as well as any pain or irritation.
Types of injections include:
5-FU and Bleomycin Injections 5-FU (5-Fluorouracil) and bleomycin are types of chemotherapy drugs that can also treat keloid scars. They can help reduce or completely flatten raised scars and ease pain and itching.
Corticosteroid Injections These also help treat raised scars and keloids, and in some cases, may completely reduce their appearance. Corticosteroid injections typically require more than one treatment.
Dermal Fillers These are used to fill in depressed scars, such as acne scars and pockmarks. Fillers can be temporary or long-lasting and made from natural or synthetic materials. Examples include Restylane, Juvéderm, and Radiesse.
Skin Resurfacing
Surface treatments help improve the appearance of scars by smoothing out irregularities and reducing uneven pigmentation. They work by either removing the top layers of skin or changing its structure.
Skin resurfacing treatments include:
Laser Therapy This technique uses different types of laser light to treat a scar. Laser treatments are effective for all scar types, and can improve appearance, symptoms, texture, and pliability.
Cryotherapy Cryotherapy, or cryosurgery, uses a substance such as liquid nitrogen to freeze the scar tissue, causing it to die. It is typically used to treat raised or keloid scars and can help reduce their size, pain, and discoloration.
Chemical Peel This involves applying a chemical solution to the skin, typically a kind of acid. It works best for mild scars on the face.
Dermabrasion Dermabrasion uses a sterile sandpaper or wire brush to evenly smooth the surface of skin. It is typically used for acne scars.
Skin Bleaching This uses medications applied topically to lighten the skin and reduce the appearance of scars.
Microneedling With this technique, a doctor uses a device to make microscopic punctures in your skin, encouraging structural changes and improved appearance.
Surgery
Surgery techniques involve cutting or removing a scar. These types of treatments may be necessary for large or severe scars, especially if they are causing pain or limit movement.
Types of surgery for scars include:
Z-Plasty and W-Plasty With this treatment, a surgeon cuts a “Z” or “W” shape into the scar, allowing movement once the skin heals.
Skin Graft If there isn’t enough healthy skin to close a wound, a surgeon may take healthy skin from another area to cover the affected area. This type of treatment is common for scars caused by serious burns.
Excision With this procedure, a doctor makes an incision to remove the scar and then surgically remove and close the skin.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Scar Revision?
You might consider scar revision if you want to improve the appearance of a scar. Scar revision may be a good option if you:
Have an unwanted scar
Are physically healthy
Have realistic goals for scar revision
Don’t have a skin condition in the area you’d like to treat
Before treatment, your healthcare provider will examine your scar to determine the right type of scar revision for your needs. They will identify the type of scar you have and also evaluate whether it may be cancerous, which may require different treatment.
Depending on the type of treatment, your provider may administer an anesthetic before the procedure. This can include:
Local anesthesia (an injection that numbs the area)
Intravenous sedation (“twilight” sedation)
General anesthesia (medicines that put you to sleep during surgery)
Treatment may involve a single scar revision technique or a combination of techniques to achieve the best result. This is influenced by factors like the type of scar, its severity, size, and its location.
If your scar is deeper, your doctor may make incisions to surgically remove the scar. They will then close the incisions using one of several techniques. After scar surgery, you may also receive a corticosteroid injection to help improve the results.
How to Prepare for Scar Revision
Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to best prepare for your procedure. You may have to wait to have the treatment if your scar hasn’t matured enough.
Before your surgery, you should tell your provider about any medications and supplements you take. Additionally, it’s important to let your doctor know about any existing medical conditions and drug allergies you have.
Before undergoing scar revision surgery, you may need to:
Avoid taking certain medications or adjust your dosages
Stop smoking
Get lab tests
Eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals to help with wound healing
It can be a good idea to ask your doctor to see before and after pictures of cases similar to yours. This way, you’ll know what to expect from your treatment.
What Are the Risks of Scar Revision?
The risks associated with scar revision will depend on the type of procedure you have. Following your doctor’s post-care instructions will help ensure the best results.
Topical treatments typically have the fewest risks, which include mild discomfort, rash, and skin irritation.
Risks of injections and resurfacing treatments can include swelling, blistering, darkening of the skin, and sensitivity to sunlight.
Surgery treatments for scars carry the most risks, including bleeding, infection, risk of a new scar, and the possibility that the scar will return.
What Are the Potential Complications of Scar Revision?
While scar revision treatments are generally safe, they can potentially cause complications, including:
You should seek medical attention right away if you develop the following symptoms:
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Irregular heartbeat
A high fever, chills, or other signs of infection
Additionally, contact your doctor if you’re experiencing persistent pain, swelling, or numbness or your skin isn’t healing normally.
What to Expect After Scar Revision
Recovery after scar revision will depend on the type of treatment and can take weeks to months. You may also need multiple treatments to achieve the desired results.
If you have stitches, your doctor will typically remove them after three to four days if they’re on your face, or after five to seven days if they’re on another part of your body.
Most people are able to resume normal activities shortly after their procedure. Your doctor will inform you of any activities you should avoid. You may have to be careful not to stretch the new scar and to protect it from sun exposure while it is healing.
The Takeaway
Scar revision involves a variety of treatments to improve a scar’s appearance, reduce pain, and restore function. Treatment types include topical therapies, injections, resurfacing techniques, and surgical procedures.
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the scar, and recovery can take anywhere from weeks to months. Risks include discomfort, swelling, discoloration, and infection.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious symptoms after scar revision, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, or other signs of infection.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Dr. Jane Yoo is an internationally recognized Korean American dual board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon practicing in New York City. She graduated with a bachelor of science in biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and obtained a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University.
Yoo completed her dermatology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine followed by a Mohs Micrographic Surgery fellowship at Yale School of Medicine. She is the founder of the Clinical Research Center of New York and conducts clinical trials for numerous skincare, pharmaceutical, and energy-based device companies.
As a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation, she is a staunch advocate for skin cancer prevention and lobbying for better sunscreen regulation in the United States. She's also an Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher and is currently training for the Sydney Marathon.
Julie Marks is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health, lifestyle, and science topics. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, her work has been featured in WebMD, SELF, Healthline, A&E, Psych Central, Verywell Health, and more. Her goal is to compose helpful articles that readers can easily understand and use to improve their well-being. She is passionate about healthy living and delivering important medical information through her writing.
Prior to her freelance career, Marks was a supervising producer of medical programming for Ivanhoe Broadcast News. She is a Telly award winner and Freddie award finalist. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, traveling, and cheering on the UCF Knights.
