Scars and Keloids

A scar is a natural part of the healing process. A scar is the normal response of the organism to a skin wound, which is covered and filled by fibrous tissue.<0} Since tissue restoration process provides a new tissue, this is not identical to the tissue that it replaces.

Conditions of the scar depend more on the location on the body than the reconstruction technique. Although every surgeon´s goal is to achieve a scar as less visible as possible, sometimes a thick and irregular scar may form. These scars usually can be improved with the appropriate chemical peeling.

Wounds final appearance depends on many factors such as:

	Unexpected reactions of skin.
	Skin type.
	Location of the wound.
	Presence of old scars in the surrounding area.
	Wound and tissue tension.
	Caring of wounds.
	Surgical technique.

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*	Reconstructive nose surgery
*	Ear reconstruction
*	Breast reconstruction
*	Dermabrasion
*	Scars and keloids
*	Lipoinjection fat transfer

Every patient develops a different wound healing process, even in the same procedure. Even with the best planning and the most meticulous surgical techniques, development of a scar is unpredictable. You can be sure your doctor makes every effort to hide, camouflage and have a less noticeable incision. Although some marks may be obvious, they may improve in time following some medical treatments. Enough time must have elapsed to allow healing of tissues before judging results. Body response to injury is a very complex process. As every person has a different wound healing response, the time this process may take is unpredictable.

Body response to wound healing is one of the most complex physiological processes.

In the wound healing process you may expect:

1	Inflammatory phase.
2	Proliferative phase.
3	Remodeling phase.

In each patient every stage develops in a different way. However, in most healthy patients´ wounds heal in a satisfactory way and with minimal intervention.

Abnormal scar formation

Some patients have an abnormal wound healing process. This is known as hypertrophic scarring. This is a complex matter, but what you have to understand is that scarring occurs as a natural part of the healing process, and therefore the way how tissues repair is uncertain. There are special treatments for skin scars. Before proceeding with any scar treatment, your surgeon must identify the wound´s stage.

Scar revision

What is the scar revision?

Scar revision is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of scars. Most of the times, the surgeon may improve the appearance of a scar, making it less obvious, changing its direction or length. Sometimes, when the skin has been removed and the lesion has developed on a wide retractile scar, a skin graft may be needed.

A scar revision treatment may only be performed when the scar is sufficiently mature. An early revision may interrupt the natural healing process. The red, tight and unpleasant appearance of a scar may reveal an immature healing process. While a soft, normal color and flat scar provides better conditions to be treated.

How is the scar revision treatment made? . What kind of anesthesia is used?, What are the requirements for scar revision?

Most scar revision treatments can be done under local anesthesia, and in an outpatient basis.

Instructions for facial scar revision

	Your surgeon may recommend the best face and hair washing routine. Good oral hygiene.
	Male patients should be carefully shaven. Avoid injuries during the shaving. This may increase the incidence of wound infection.
	On the day of the procedure, do not apply makeup on the area to be treated.
	Dental prosthesis may modify the shape, appearance and location of the scar. If you wear dental prosthesis, you will be requested to wear it on the day of the procedure to observe any change.