Scar Revision

Home Skin Care Services Scar Revision procedures explained by Dr. Sterry in New York

Dr. Sterry explains Scar Revision

What is your approach to treating scars?

“My approach to treating scars is really multifaceted.

• Some scars need to be surgically removed, or excised, and closed again to make a new, less-conspicuous scar.
• In some cases, I may reorient a scar by actually making it in a different shape so the scar blends in better.
• Other patients just need good skin care—things like silicone sheets and silicone gels that help them to heal better and make a nicer scar.
• I treat some scars with lasers every one to three months, which helps to fade the redness.
• Dermabrasion—essentially a spinning file—can be used to shave off the outer layer of the scar, and a little bit of the surrounding skin, under a local anesthetic. When it heals, the scar blends in well and is less conspicuous.”

How long should a patient wait before having a scar treated?

“The textbook answer is, ‘at least six months.‘ But I have to confess that I had a patient who was in a car accident on new year's day last year and had a scar on her nose. It was soon obvious that the scar wasn't healing well. I ended up taking her to the operating room after about three months, where I was able to remove a large portion of the scar and reorient other parts of it. Now it's hard to see the scar at all.”

What results can you expect from scar revision?

“After scar revision, you can expect to see a more pleasing, natural appearance to the area that was injured.”