Scar tissue formation is an inevitable part of surgery. Naturally, surgeons, particularly plastic surgeons, try to minimize scarring by using gentle techniques. But the fact remains that any type of incision will result in some kind of scar. Scarring may fade or even disappear over time, but this depends on a variety of factors, some of which cannot be controlled by the surgeon or patient. Traumatic injury also typically results in scarring — often massive scars that can result in feelings of embarrassment or self-consciousness in the person who was involved in trauma. Regardless of how they were caused, scars can be upsetting and affect the aesthetics of the body, particularly when they are located on the face. But how do scars form, and what can be done about them?
How Scars Form
When the deep layers of skin are damaged, the body is prompted to repair the skin in that area as soon as possible. Collagen is a type of connective tissue, and a major building block of skin. Injury or infection kicks the production of collagen around the wound into high gear, which over time mends the damage and results in a scar.
The Difference Between Scars and Normal Skin
There are different kinds of scars, but most scars are made up of fibrous tissues, and are a little bit different from normal skin. The more collagen that was produced in response to the scar, the more raised the scar may be. Scars do not contain any hair follicles, sweat glands, or oil glands, and they often appear smooth and shiny. While the composition of scars and normal skin is not too different from one another, the proteins form in different ways, resulting in the unusual appearance of scars.
For many smaller scars, the color of the area will start off as pink or red, and slowly fade to white. This can take many months, and some scars never fade at all. Fortunately, small scars are often able to fade without treatment, making the process nothing more than an exercise in patience.
Bigger scars, such as those caused by trauma, can sometimes cause major aesthetic issues, and patients often undergo scar revision surgery to minimize the appearance of these scars, particularly if they are located in a prominent area. Scar revision is a highly custom procedure, with different techniques being used depending on the nature of the injury. The procedure may be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Techniques may include excision, which involves removing the scar tissue and replacing it with a thinner scar, or repositioning the scar to make it more discreet.
Keep in mind that all plastic surgery will produce at least minimal scarring, and while these scars are typically inconspicuous, they may not fully fade either depending on the nature of the procedure.
Need Help? Talk to a Reconstructive Specialist
Facial reconstruction is an exceptionally difficult segment of the facial plastic surgery industry, and it takes an immense amount of skill to be able to improve difficult scars and minimize damage caused by trauma. If you are suffering from facial scarring and/or disfigurement, chances are good you can achieve improvement by working with a talented, board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Robert A. Mounsey of Revesse in Toronto. Dr. Mounsey is a facial surgery specialist, and has helped many patients improve their self-esteem through reconstructive surgery. Because injuries are so varied, it is impossible to say how much improvement can be expected without consulting with an expert. If you would like to discuss your case with Dr. Mounsey, call Revesse at 416-438-2499 to schedule a consultation.