Scars on the face or body can be distressing, especially if they are quite prominent. Some scars may even inhibit movement or flexibility. While scars cannot ever be completely removed, they can be revised to make them appear less conspicuous and unsightly. Dr. Heil performs scar revision surgery to help patients feel more confident and regain their overall quality of life.

What is scar revision?

Scars form when the body produces collagen to close a wound stemming from an injury, surgery, burn, or trauma. Scars typically mature to their final appearance over the course of one year, at which point the patient is eligible to undergo a scar revision procedure. Scar revision can help improve the scar’s appearance and make it less noticeable.

There is a range of methods used to revise scars, spanning from injections and topical creams to laser therapies and surgery. Dr. Heil will discuss all your options and help choose the best approach for your unique case. It may be possible to combine treatments to achieve an outcome that is aesthetically pleasing.

Some common methods of scar revision include:

Topical solutions – Can help reduce minor scars, improving their color and texture
Silicone products – Can help flatten raised scars
Steroid injections – Can help treat raised scars and improve comfort levels
Dermal fillers – Can fill in scar-related depressions and indentations
Laser and light therapies – Can improve scar texture and appearance
Scar revision surgery – Can reduce excess scar tissue and decrease the scar’s visibility
Z-plasty surgery – Can change the scar’s orientation to make it less visible while improving patient comfort and mobility

What is scar revision?

What type of scars can be treated?

Hypertrophic scars – These scars are raised and thick, made of collagen-heavy fibrous tissue. Hypertrophic scars occur a few weeks after the injury and fade gradually. If, after time, the patient desires an improved scar appearance, they can undergo a scar revision surgery.
Contractures – These occur after a burn and can stretch across a joint, limiting mobility and flexibility. The scarred skin is tight and uncomfortable. The usual path for scar revision, in this case, is to remove the scar tissue and then graft healthy tissue onto the area.
Facial scars – Facial scars can be particularly difficult to deal with. Scar revision surgery can help to reduce their appearance through scar tissue removal and scar repositioning.

A similar surgical technique, Dr. Heil also performs forehead reductions for patients who would like to lower their hairline. If such patients also require a brow lift, Dr. Heil can move the brows and the hairline towards each other, lifting the brows while lowering the hairline. This approach requires an incision that is slightly more visible, but with Dr. Heil’s exquisite closing techniques, the eventual scar is virtually invisible.

What are the benefits of scar revision?

Can help correct the appearance of scars on the face or body
Repositions or reorients scars so they are less visible
Removes redundant scar tissue
Improves the color and texture of scars
Helps restore flexibility
Enhances self-confidence

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Who is a candidate for scar revision?

Dr. Heil will consider each scar on its own when assessing candidates for scar revision. He will investigate the depth, thickness, color, size, orientation, and overall appearance of the scar to decide the best route for improving its appearance. Candidates should be healthy non-smokers with realistic expectations for their outcomes. Scar revision can improve, but not completely remove, your scars.

What is recovery like for scar revision?

Recovery times will vary, depending on the method of scar revision Dr. Heil chooses. Topical agents, dermal fillers, laser and light therapies, and steroid injections all come with little to no downtime, while surgery will have a more significant recovery period of about 2-3 weeks. Dr. Heil will go over your aftercare plan with you during your confidential consultation.

Why choose Dr. Heil?

Dr. Heil founded Premier Plastic Surgery in Pittsburgh as a cutting-edge facility devoted to superior surgical outcomes. His scar revision results are elegant and personalized, helping his patients to regain their self-image and peace of mind.

Dr. Heil obtained his Doctor of Medicine Cum Laude (Alpha Omega Alpha) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He then went on to complete a challenging 5-year combined General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency before pursuing a prestigious fellowship in Microsurgery and Thrombosis Research at the University Medical Center of Pittsburgh.