Scar Revision

Scar revision is a treatment/procedure to improve the appearance of an existing scar. Mr Thornton is highly experienced in this area having undertaken a year of clinical research into wound healing, scar and skin graft contraction.

Scars represent the bodies natural healing response to injury. They can arise as a consequence acne, illnesses such as chickenpox, burns, traumatic injury or surgery. Scar healing and quality is affected by various factors such as the mechanism of injury, your skin colour, your age, the location & orientation of the scar, and the presence of infection/foreign material/wound dehiscence during the healing process.

Scar revision treatment depends on the type of scar: atrophic or sunken scars; contracted scars where the skin is tight and twisted; hypertrophic scars that are red and lumpy; raised keloid scars extending beyond the wound margins; painful scars; and stretch marks which appear as red and then silvery lines.

Although it is not possible to eradicate a scar completely, scar revision aims to improve the appearance of the original scar. Treatments such as chemical peels or dermabrasion may smooth or resurface the scar; inflamed lumpy hypertrophic or keloid scars may benefit from silicone ointment, pressure dressings or steroid injection to reduce their colour or prominence; and surgical excision or reorientation may be required to neaten, release or realign the scar to a more favourable orientation.