Any type of surgical procedure that involves an incision will result in a scar. Concern over scarring can be one of the top reasons why some individuals shy away from plastic surgery procedures. By understanding what to expect and how to minimize the effects of scarring, you can alleviate your own concerns and approach your plastic surgery with greater confidence.
How Do Scars Form?
A scar is visible evidence of the body’s wound-healing process. It occurs when collagen is produced to fill in the tear or incision in the skin. At the same time, the body produces an enzyme known as collagenase, which eliminates excess collagen. Despite the body’s best efforts and the skill of board-certified plastic surgeons, a degree of excess collagen may be left after the body completes the healing process, which leaves the residual scar.
Scars usually follow a basic progression. Fresh scars are typically red and raised after the surgery. Over time, the scar will soften and flatten out, making it less visible. Scars can be red for as long as 18 months. As the redness diminishes, the scar will become even less detectable.
Although scars are an inevitable reminder of your plastic surgery procedure, they are not usually as visible or bothersome as you fear. In most cases, incisions are strategically placed to ensure scarring is hidden in natural folds of the skin or clothing. A skilled surgeon also knows how to suture an incision to minimize visible scarring after the incision fully heals. However, some patients may be affected by hypertrophic and keloid scars. These are caused by an excess of collagen, resulting in more noticeable scarring. Hypertrophic scars stay within the existing wound or incision site, while keloid scars continue to grow and may need steroid injections or scar revision surgery to eliminate the excess scar tissue. Keloid formation is most common among patients with darker skin tones and those with a family history of keloid scar formation.
Common Plastic Surgery Scars
Common concerns over scarring occur with the following procedures:
Tummy Tuck
Patients worry about scarring after a tummy tuck because the incision used for this procedure is often quite long. However, the surgical incision is typically placed inside the bikini line, so it will not be seen in most situations.
Breast Augmentation
Incisions for breast augmentation may be placed around the areola, in the breast crease, or under the arm in the axilla. These incisions are generally much smaller than patients expect and usually heal quite well.
Liposuction
Because liposuction can be performed on nearly any area of the body, scarring is often a concern. However, because the cannula used to perform liposuction is usually quite small, the incisions are also minimal. Once they heal completely, patients will have minor scars that are not easily visible.
Facial Scars
Facial plastic surgery scars are concealed in locations that are not easily visible using advanced surgical techniques. Common scar positions for procedures like a facelift or neck lift may include the hairline, behind the ears, or under the chin.
How to Minimize Scarring
Most surgical scars heal well and eventually fade so that they blend with the surrounding skin and become unnoticeable. To protect the healing incisions and prevent unfavorable scarring, we recommend that patients avoid excess sun exposure, since this can cause permanent discoloration, and perform scar massages to promote healthy blood circulation and more quickly reduce the scar’s appearance.
Dr. Andrews may recommend silicone gel sheeting or silicone creams to improve scar healing. For severe scars, scar removal surgery and skin grafting, or other types of scar treatment can be considered to remove excess scar tissue to restore the appearance of “normal” skin.
Schedule a Consultation
Although patients often begin the plastic surgery process with concerns about scarring, most agree that the scar they have after the procedure is an acceptable trade-off for the new look they receive from their procedure. To learn more about plastic surgery scars or steps you can take for scar management after your procedure, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery at 319-800-6877.
