Certain parts of the body, such as your back or shoulders, are more prone to scar formation. Your skin type and the direction in which the scar is running compared with the skin tension lines may also affect the appearance of the scar. They can be clearly visible on the face when the facial muscles are tensed.

The formation of the scar and pressure on the edges of the wound during recovery are further factors that may affect the way a scar looks. Increased pressure on the wound when it is stitched often produces a wider scar.

The aim of scar correction is to improve the appearance of the scar. However, it is important to bear in mind that no matter how carefully a scar correction procedure is performed, final results cannot be guaranteed.

Apart from scar correction procedures, there are also other methods for treating thick or raised scars, for example through injections with corticosteroids, pressure therapy, silicone sheets or radiation. These alternative treatments may reduce the elevation of the scar tissue, but they will not alter the width of the scar.

As will be clear from the above, scar correction will make a scar less noticeable, but it will never make it disappear.

Plastic surgeon

The consultation is always held with the plastic surgeon who will be carrying out your procedure.
During this consultation, you will discuss what bothers you most about your scar. Your plastic surgeon will take photos for your medical file, and will examine your scar. The plastic surgeon will then suggest the most suitable surgical technique for you and discuss it with you. In front of a mirror, you will be shown what this technique will entail and what you can expect in terms of end results.
The expected recovery period and any risks and complications will also be talked through with you.
A summary of your consultation will be set out in a treatment plan, and the overall costs will be discussed with you directly. The consultation will take approximately 30 minutes, and aims to inform you as clearly and fully as possible.

Consultants

Following on from your first consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will have an appointment with your consultant. The aim of this appointment is to tell you about the general aspects to be arranged with respect to your scar correction. 

The operation is usually carried out under local sedation. Before the procedure, the plastic surgeon carefully marks out what they are going to do, in accordance with the operation plan. The local sedation or general anaesthetic is then administered. The plastic surgeon makes an incision in the area marked out beforehand, and the scar is removed.

It may be necessary to do a bit more than just close the wound. Plastic surgeons have various techniques they use to make the scar irregular. This aids the healing of the scar, because the skin will not pull in a straight line. These techniques usually involve making the incision into a w- or z-shape. Once your old scar has been removed, the plastic surgeon stitches the wound together with very fine absorbable stitches. A couple of small plasters are then placed over the wound.

It is important you are aware that every surgical intervention can entail risks and complications. Even though a scar correction is a minor intervention, we adopt professional procedures to ensure that any risks and complications are kept to an absolute minimum.

Possible complications of a scar correction may be:

• Haematoma (blood clot under the skin which has to be removed)
• Adverse reaction to the sedation
• Haemorrhaging
• Infection
• Permanent scars
• Unsatisfactory aesthetic result.

Smoking

Patients who smoke or use tobacco or nicotine products (such as nicotine patches and chewing gum) at the time of their surgery have a greater risk of complications, such as skin loss and impaired wound healing. People who are exposed to passive smoking may also have an increased risk of complications such as these. What’s more, smoking may have a negative effect on the anaesthesia, which may in turn lead to an increased risk of bleeding. People who are not exposed to tobacco smoke or nicotine-containing products have a significantly lower risk of such complications. It is important not to smoke for at least 2 weeks prior to the operation and to keep this up for the entire recovery process.