| The popular conception of plastic surgery is often | | | | bleaching agents. |
| focused on what some might see as "the glamorous | | | | Scar revision surgery, beyond these measures, often |
| side"-gossip magazines dishing over which stars might | | | | involves reopening a wound and re-closing the |
| have or might have not been under the knife to | | | | incisions in a manner that will result in less scarring. |
| perfect some minute flaw, the current popularity of | | | | This often means using layered closure techniques or |
| reality shows about "extreme makeovers", things of | | | | repositioning a scar so that it is less conspicuous. |
| that nature. But this is just one aspect of plastics, | | | | Sometimes, pharmaceutical tissue substitutes are |
| known as cosmetic surgery. | | | | used, when ample healthy tissue is not present |
| Reconstructive surgery is the other major avenue | | | | around the wound. This approach is often taken for |
| plastic surgeons travel down. While some surgeons | | | | the revision of severe burn scars. |
| focus only on cosmetic surgery, and others entirely | | | | Sadly, many health insurance plans will not cover scar |
| on reconstructive surgery, many do both. For | | | | revision surgery, so the decision to undergo this, or |
| example, a surgeon who focuses on the face might | | | | any related procedures, is a very difficult one. It is |
| perform a rhinoplasty (more colloquially referred to as | | | | recommended that patients considering any sort of |
| a "nose job") and repair a child's cleft palate in the | | | | scar revision surgery, from dermabrasion to a layered |
| same day. | | | | closure or skin graft, have a consultation with a |
| One of the most important reconstructive surgeries | | | | surgeon they can trust before making any sort of |
| is scar revision surgery. Scars can occur for a number | | | | final decision on whether or not to go through with |
| of reasons, from childhood acne to injury by accident | | | | the surgery. |
| or even malicious intent. Some of the different types | | | | Also, as with any surgery, there are risks involved |
| of scars include: | | | | and should also be considered before making any final |
| - Hypertropic scars - thick clusters of scar tissue | | | | decisions. Some of the most commonly reported |
| developed at the site of a wound | | | | problems resulting from scar revision surgery include: |
| - Keloids - painful, itchy scars that extend beyond the | | | | - Bleeding Infection |
| edges of an original wound or incision, often | | | | - A delay in healing |
| appearing where there is little underlying fatty tissue | | | | - Resulting change in skin sensation |
| (face, neck, ears, chest, shoulders) | | | | - Damage to nerves, blood vessels, and other deeper |
| - Contractures - scars that restrict movement when | | | | structures below the skin |
| skin and underlying tissue pull together during healing | | | | A risk of nearly any surgery is persistent pain. Since a |
| While scars usually cannot be "removed," per se, their | | | | scar revision surgery is not necessarily a surgery to |
| appearance can be lessened through a number of | | | | alleviate pain, this is something that should be taken |
| different measures. These include topical treatments, | | | | into careful consideration. |
| injectable treatments, and surface treatments. | | | | Scar revision surgery, in its many forms, is one of |
| Topical and injectable treatments often do not | | | | the most common areas of reconstructive surgery. |
| require anesthesia, but many surface treatments do. | | | | For more information, see a trusted surgeon in your |
| Some surface treatments include dermabrasion, laser | | | | area. |
| or light therapy, chemical peel solutions, and skin | | | | |
