Treatments for Keloid Scars

Keloids are a type of scar tissue that develop near a wound or abrasion in the skin. These growths can continue to grow, sometimes to extensive proportions. The difference between a keloid scar and a normal or hypertrophic scar is that keloids do not grow within the borders of the original skin injury, but near the wound. The scar tissue usually begins as a red color, then changes to a brown or pale color.

It is not known why keloids appear. They are more common in darker skinned ethic groups, usually in appearing in the teens to thirties and seem to be genetically related. The earlobes, cheek, shoulder and breastbone are likely places for keloids to occur, usually about three months after the initial injury. Most keloids grow slowly for a few months, then may stop growing or begin shrinking. Some grow quickly and can become large and cumbersome. In some cases, they can restrict movement if located near or on a joint.

Treatment for keloids is not always necessary, but there are options available. If a keloid is extremely large, unsightly or uncomfortable, visiting a an experienced plastic surgeon can give you options for keloid scar treatment. There are several different treatment methods that can be used. Steroid injections or laser treatments can be effective for smaller keloids. There are some types of topical medications that can be used, but for larger keloids, plastic surgery may be necessary.

If you have a keloid scar and are considering treatment, see your plastic surgeon to explore the options. Non-surgical methods are usually recommended first, with surgery used as a last resort. While some keloids will shrink, and dissipate on their own, this is not always the case. Keliod scar treatment is the only way to ensure the keloid is removed when the scar is causing you embarrassment or discomfort.

Posted on behalf of:
Maurice M. Khosh, MD, FACS
580 Park Avenue, Suite 1BE
New York, NY 10065
212-339-9988

Repairing Your Skin from Mohs Surgery

Did you know that it is estimated that two million Americans are diagnosed each year with skin cancer? It is becoming an epidemic, with predictions that 20% of Americans will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their life. The good news is that many types of skin cancer are treatable and the prognosis for recovery is high. One of the reasons for the high recovery rate is the use of Mohs surgery to remove the cancer cells.

Mohs surgery was first created back in the 1930’s by the doctor whom it was named after, Frederick Mohs. This technique removes the cancer affected skin, removing layer by layer. As a larger and deeper layer of cells are removed, they are closely examined for the appearance of cancer cells. This procedure continues until the layer removed is free of cancer. This method is 99% effective in removing all the skin cancer cells and is one of the preferred treatments.

The problem with Mohs surgery is that though it does remove the cancer, it also removes a large portion of skin. Since skin cancer is often found on the face, this can leave a large scar. However, an experienced plastic surgeon can repair the scar damage and help reconstruct the area to reduce a deformed appearance. Using techniques such as skin grafts, the Mohs surgery site can be repaired so that it is barely visible.

If you have had Mohs surgery and want to have your skin repaired, consult with a plastic surgeon that offers Mohs surgery reconstruction. After surviving cancer, you deserve to look great and not be reminded of this scary period of your life every time you look in the mirror.

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter Moyer, MD
1400 Northside Forsyth Dr.  #390
Cumming, GA 30041
(404)  250-3393

Facial Scar Revision

Facial scars can cause profound emotional and psychological stress to people. For some, the scars are painful reminders of the past. For others, the scars are just an embarrassing facial feature that they wish would go away. In some cases, facial scars can distort or limit the functioning of certain structures including the lips, eyes, brows, and nose. Correcting facial scars can benefit a person emotionally as well as physically. 

Different factors are taken into account when a patient is undergoing scar revision. The person’s age, skin type and color, the placement of the scar, and the nature of how the scar was obtained must all be taken into consideration. Every facial scar is different. Some scars are deep, while others are wide. Some scars stand alone, while others affect different facial structures and inhibit their ability to function. Scar revision requires specific plastic surgery techniques; therefore, your face should only be trusted with a skilled and reputable plastic surgeon. 

Scar revision is not recommended on new scars. Twelve months are generally needed for an injury to sufficiently heal and for the scar to mature. Common facial scar revision procedures used are laser therapy, dermabrasion, W-Plasty, Z-Plasty, and direct excision. Meeting with a trusted plastic surgeon will help to ensure that your face is in good hands. A quality plastic surgeon uses more than just a knife to enhance the beauty of a patient. He or she uses the knowledge of a person’s face and skin to determine the best route for scar revision. 

Your doctor should thoroughly examine your scar in order to determine the correct treatment for revision. Everyone will have different results, but you should expect to see great improvement from your scar revision. Your face is personal to you, and it should be treated with utmost care and respect.

Posted on behalf of Benjamin Stong, MD, Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC 

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Types of Scars

One of the remarkable things about the human body is the skin’s ability to heal and repair itself.  The biological process by which the skin rebuilds itself after a burn, wound, or skin condition always results in some degree of scarring. Scars differ in appearance according to the severity of the damage, the composition of the scar tissue, the origin of the injury, and the amount of collagen produced.  Genetic and individual factors (e.g. diet, age) also influence the way different people scar. There are four main types of scars.

Depressed/atrophic

Depressed or atrophic scars are sunken and pit-like in appearance. They are caused when fat and muscle underlying the skin is lost.  Atrophic scars typically appear as small, round recesses in the skin and can cause the skin to have a wavy appearance. This type of scarring is commonly seen with chickenpox and acne. Treatment for atrophic scars involves using methods like punch grafting and punch elevation to raise or fill the scars.

Hypertrophic

With hypertrophic scars, the body produces too much collagen, resulting in a raised, red bump. These types of scars commonly result from traumatic skin injuries or wounds that become infected. Hypertrophic scars can be flattened using methods like scar revision or scar excision. Steroid injections and silicone sheets are also used to treat hypertrophic scars.

Keloid

Keloid scars are a type of hypertrophic scar since they are also raised in appearance; however, they are distinguishable from hypertrophic scars by the fact that they grow beyond the borders on the injury site and can continue spreading for years. Keliod scars are thus thick, widened, elevated scars. They can also be painful and itchy and are most commonly seen in dark-skinned people. Keloid scars are treated with the same methods used to treat hypertrophic scars.

Contracture

Contracture scars are characterized by skin tightening around the injury site which, if not treated, can lead to restricted movement. These scars form following a second or third degree burn and also occur with scars that stretch across joints. Contracture scars are best treated with skin flaps, skin grafts, and silicone scar treatments.

Post provided by Benjamin Stong MD

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Facial Scar Revision

If you have facial scarring that you would like to have treated, you should know that today’s facial plastic surgeons have a variety of facial scar revision tools and procedures available to help you. 

Perhaps you were injured in an accident, or you have scars from acne, disease, burns, or surgical intervention.  You may have been hesitant to make an appointment  or a scar revision because you think that having a scar revision is frivolous, but it has been shown that unsightly facial scars can substantially reduce a person’s self esteem and confidence level. 

An unsightly scar does not just affect how you look, it affects your mental health by negatively impacting how you believe others view you.  This affects how you interact with other people and can result in poor interpersonal and professional relationships. 

In addition, facial scars can interfere with the ability to form facial expressions and sometimes impair the functioning of facial features such as the lips, eyes, eyelids, nose and brows.

Scar tissue forms naturally as the skin heals from an injury or trauma.  Scars differ depending on the extent of the injury, the location, age of the patient, and the nature of the treatment of the wound.  The appropriate treatment differs depending on the nature and unique characteristics of the scar.  Treatments include dermabrasion, laser therapy, Z-Plasty, W-Plasty, excision, geometric broken line closure and skin grafts. 

Your facial plastic surgeon will be happy to discuss various procedures for reducing or minimizing the visibility of scar tissue.  While most patients are advised to wait 12 months from the date of an injury to seek a scar revision, you should schedule an initial consultation with your plastic surgeon as soon as possible after an injury.  In some cases, immediate intervention is needed to minimize future effects of scarring.