Scar Revision in Seattle and Kirkland, WA
Plastic surgeons can often improve the appearance of scars with steroid treatments or surgical scar revision. At The Larrabee Center in Seattle and Kirkland, WA, board-certified surgeons Dr. Wayne Larrabee and Dr. Susan Kurian specialize in advanced scar revision techniques to minimize visibility and blend scars with your natural skin tone. Whether from injury or surgery, our personalized treatments range from non-invasive options to precise surgical procedures—all designed to restore smoother, more natural-looking skin. Schedule a consultation today to begin your path to renewed confidence.
Scar Revision Overview
Scar revision is a procedure designed to enhance the appearance of scars, making them less noticeable and more harmonious with the surrounding skin. Scars can result from injury, surgery, or burns and may vary greatly in size, texture, and location. Poorly healed scars or those that are raised, recessed, discolored, or restrict movement can benefit from this treatment. Using advanced medical techniques, scar revision aims to reduce their prominence and improve skin tone and texture, helping patients achieve a more refined and confident appearance.
How Scar Revision Works
Scar revision is a personalized medical procedure designed to improve the appearance of scars and restore skin aesthetics. Treatments range from non-invasive options like light therapy, chemical peels, and skin bleaching for subtle corrections, to more advanced techniques such as injectables or surgical interventions. Injectables, such as fillers, can help with recessed scars, while steroids are used to address raised scars. For deeper or more complex scars, surgical approaches like tissue expansion, incision revisions, or flap closures may be recommended. The extent of improvement depends on factors such as the type, size, and location of the scar. Your surgeon will evaluate your specific condition and suggest the most suitable treatment to meet your needs.
Benefits of Scar Revision
- Improved Confidence: Feel more confident in your appearance with smoother, less noticeable scars.
- Enhanced Skin Uniformity: Scars blend better with the surrounding skin.
- Customized Care: Treatments tailored to your unique needs and the type of scar.
At The Larrabee Center, we provide compassionate guidance every step of the way—from consultation to recovery.
Improving your appearance with scar revision surgery
Scars are visible signs that remain after a wound has healed. They are unavoidable results of injury or surgery, and their development can be unpredictable. Poor healing may contribute to scars that are obvious, unsightly, or disfiguring. Even a wound that heals well can result in a scar that affects your appearance. Scars may be raised or recessed, different in color or texture from surrounding healthy tissue, or particularly noticeable due to their size, shape, or location.
Scar Revision Recovery
The initial healing phase of a surgical scar revision may include localized swelling, discoloration, or discomfort and may take 1 to 2 weeks. Healing will continue for several weeks, and as the new scar heals, it will slowly refine and fade. With dermabrasion, chemical peel, or laser resurfacing, you will experience similar conditions in the treated area, in addition to overall sensitivity.
The final results of your scar revision surgery will be long-lasting; however, it may take several months for your final results to become apparent and in some cases, it may take a year for the new scar to fully heal and fade.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee that, in some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure, and another surgery may be necessary.
Choosing Scar Revision
If you’re bothered by a scar anywhere on your body, scar revision can make a significant difference. Ideal candidates include individuals who are in good health, have realistic expectations, and are ready to pursue personalized solutions. Whether addressing keloids, hypertrophic scars, or contractures, our surgeons will work closely with you to determine the best approach.
Results of Scar Revision
Scar revision surgery minimizes the visibility of scars by improving their texture, color, and size, helping them blend naturally with the surrounding skin. While it may not completely erase scars, it enhances aesthetics, restores function to restricted areas, and reduces discomfort like itching or irritation.
Areas that Scar Revision Treats
Scar revision addresses concerns in high-movement areas such as joints, as well as visible areas like the face, neck, chest, and shoulders. We also treat scars related to burns, acne, or prior surgeries, tailoring care to meet the size and complexity of the scar.
Before, During, and After
What To Expect Before a Scar Revision Procedure
During your consultation in Seattle and Kirkland, our experienced surgeons will evaluate your scar, discuss your medical history, and outline the best treatment options for your unique needs.
What To Expect During a Scar Revision Procedure
Scar revision may involve anesthesia, surgical techniques, or surface therapies depending on the chosen method. For more severe or deep scars, surgical techniques may be needed to remove the old scar tissue before achieving the desired aesthetic.
Reclosing the wound is key to efficient healing and minimizing future scars. Depending on the scar depth and area, one or more of these techniques may be used:
- Layered Closure: Often needed for scars extending into deeper tissues or in high-movement areas. It involves multiple levels of sutures to ensure a sturdy closure beneath and on the skin surface.
- Complex Flap Closure: Used to reposition scars, reduce visibility, or improve flexibility in areas where scar contraction limits mobility.
- Tissue Substitutes: Artificial materials may be used for severe scars—such as burn scars—where there is insufficient healthy tissue.
- Tissue Expansion: An inflatable balloon is placed under the skin near the scar. Over time, the balloon stretches the skin, creating new, healthy tissue that replaces the scarred area. This may require multiple procedures for optimal results.
What To Expect After a Scar Revision Procedure
The initial healing phase after scar revision typically takes 1–2 weeks. Mild swelling and discomfort may occur, but these subside with time. Over several months—and in some cases up to a year—scars will continue to fade and refine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Scar?
The different types of scars include:
Discoloration, surface irregularities, and other more subtle scars can be cosmetically improved by surgery or other treatments recommended by your plastic surgeon. These types of scars do not impair function or cause physical discomfort and include acne scars as well as scars resulting from minor injury and prior surgical incisions.
Keloids are larger than hypertrophic scars. They can be painful or itchy, and may also pucker. They extend beyond the edges of an original wound or incision. Keloids can occur anywhere on your body, but they develop more commonly where there is little underlying fatty tissue, such as on the face, neck, ears, chest, or shoulders.
Contractures are scars that restrict movement due to skin and underlying tissue that pull together during healing. They can occur when there is a large amount of tissue loss, such as after a burn. Contractures also can form where a wound crosses a joint, restricting the movement of the fingers, elbows, knees, or neck.
Hypertrophic scars are thick clusters of scar tissue that develop directly at a wound site. They are often raised, red, and/or uncomfortable, and they may become wider over time. They can be hyperpigmented (darker in color) or hypopigmented (lighter in color).
- Simple topical treatments
- Minimally invasive procedures
- Surgical revision with advanced techniques in wound closure
Scar revision surgery is meant to minimize the scar so that it is more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture. Although scar revision can provide a more pleasing cosmetic result or improve a scar that has healed poorly, a scar cannot be completely erased.
Is it right for me?
Scar revision is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. Scar revision can be performed on people of any age and is a good option for you if:
- You are bothered by a scar anywhere on your body
- You are physically healthy
- You do not smoke
- You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for your scar revision surgery
- You do not have active acne or other skin diseases in the area to be treated
The type of scar you have will determine the appropriate techniques your plastic surgeon will use to improve your scar.
What types of scars can be treated with scar revision?
We address keloids, hypertrophic scars, acne scars, discolorations, surface irregularities, and contractures caused by burns or injuries.
How long does it take to see results from scar revision treatments?
Noticeable improvement can occur within weeks, but full results may take several months to a year depending on your procedure.
What are the different methods used for scar revision?
Scar revision encompasses a range of techniques tailored to the type, severity, and location of the scar. Here are the most used methods:
Topical Treatments: These include gels, tapes, or silicone sheets that reduce discoloration and aid in scar healing. Skin bleaching agents and chemical peels may also be used for surface-level improvement.
Injectable Therapies: Substances like fillers or steroid-based compounds are injected to address raised or depressed scars by altering their appearance and texture.
Surface Treatments: Methods such as dermabrasion, laser therapy, or chemical peels are employed to remove damaged skin and stimulate the development of healthier skin, reducing irregularities.
Surgical Revision: This involves excision of the old scar, followed by a meticulous closure technique like layered closure or advanced flap strategies. For extensive cases like burn scars, tissue expansion or skin grafts may be needed.
Your plastic surgeon will evaluate the scar’s characteristics to recommend the most appropriate approach, ensuring improved appearance and integration with surrounding skin.
Is there downtime after a scar revision procedure?
Recovery time varies based on the chosen treatment—ranging from minimal downtime for surface treatments to a few weeks for surgical revisions.
Can scar revision completely remove a scar?
Scar revision can’t completely remove a scar, but it can make a noticeable difference by reducing its visibility and helping it blend more naturally with the surrounding skin. Our treatments are designed to significantly minimize the prominence of scars, leaving them far less noticeable.
How does the type and age of a scar affect the recommended treatment options?
Older scars and certain types, such as keloids, may require more advanced techniques or combination treatments. The location, color, and texture of the scar will also determine the best treatment plan. Your plastic surgeon will determine the best method based on your unique scar and skin condition.
Can scar revision address scars caused by burns or other traumatic injuries?
Yes! Scar revision techniques, including advanced surgical options, can help improve the appearance and flexibility of scars caused by burns or injuries. Specialized methods, like tissue expansion or pharmaceutical substitutes, are often used for severe cases.
What is the difference between laser treatments and surgical options for scar revision?
Laser treatments focus on improving the skin’s surface, evening pigmentation, or stimulating collagen production for mild to moderate scars. Surgical options involve deeper repair, such as removing scar tissue or repositioning scars to make them less noticeable.
How long after an injury or surgery should I wait before considering scar revision?
You should wait for a scar to fully mature before thinking about scar revision. This process usually takes 6 to 18 months. A mature scar is usually flat, pale, and no longer sensitive to the touch.
Are there specific skincare routines to follow before and after scar revision treatments?
Preparing your skin with proper hydration and protecting it from UV rays can help enhance results. After the procedure, your doctor may recommend using gentle cleansers, applying prescribed creams or gels, and avoiding sun exposure to aid healing and minimize scarring.
What People Say About Us!
My experience at the Larrabee Center was positive from my first visit. I am so pleased to have found a Doctor with Dr. Larrabee’s skill, expertise, and caring. I am very pleased with the results of my surgery, which was a very difficult nose reconstruction! On all of my follow up visits, I was shown compassion and caring from Dr. Larrabee, Dr Patel, and the entire staff. I highly recommend the Larrabee Center. They are truly trustworthy and professional. I only wish I had found them several years ago!!”
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