Scar revision

Scar RevisionA scar is your body’s natural response to injury of the skin. For many people a scar fades or is not particularly noticeable, but in some cases the scar can become red and raised. More extreme forms of scarring are known as ‘hypertrophic’ and ‘keloid’ scarring. Such scars can be noticeable, and can also be painful, itchy and limit movement, for example when a scar crosses a joint.

Scar revision refers to a variety of techniques which can help to improve the appearance or symptoms of scars. Every scar must be treated as a unique entity, with a tailor-made treatment plan. For some scars, a combination of treatments may be required to get the best result.

Am I A Good Candidate For Scar Revision?

The best candidates for scar revision are patients:

• Who understand the final result may not be visible until a number of months have passed
• Who understand a combination or number of treatments may be required to get the best result
• Who have realistic expectations of the results and are willing to follow all pre-op and post-op instructions
• Who are generally healthy and do not have a medical condition that could impede healing
• Who do not smoke

What Scar Revision Surgery Won’t Do

It is important to understand scars are permanent and that scar revision will not completely remove the scar but improve its appearance.

How scars are treated

Surgical removal of a scar is often the most direct treatment. By excising the scar and carefully closing the new wound with plastic surgery techniques, the scar can often be improved. In some cases, the surgery may be more complex involving skin grafts, flap surgery (in which an adjacent flap of healthy skin is lifted and moved over the scarred area), or injection of the scar with nanofat (fat grafting).

Non-surgical treatments can also be used to improve scars and include steroid injection and silicone gel. Laser treatment, and for some keloid scars radiotherapy after surgery, are given by other specialists; Mr Karri can advise whether a referral would help. Keloid scars often come back after surgery alone, so surgery is usually combined with steroid injections, and sometimes other treatment, to reduce the chance of return. For some patients, a combination of treatments may be the best approach for minimising the appearance of the scar as much as possible.

Scar revision is performed as a day case at Kinvara Private Hospital. Depending on the technique, it is done under local anaesthetic, local anaesthetic with sedation, or general anaesthetic.

The Results You Can Expect

Some improvement may be seen early, but the final results can take much longer to become visible. Scars continue to mature and improve for up to two years following surgery. During this time Mr Karri will instruct you as to the proper care of your scar so as to minimise its appearance. Scars are initially very sensitive to sunlight and can tan darker than the surrounding skin, so it is important to wear sunscreen over your new scar for the first six to nine months.

Recovery

You can shower after 72 hours. Stitches are removed after 5 to 7 days on the face and 10 to 14 days elsewhere.

Risks of scar revision

The possible complications of scar revision will largely depend on the particular technique used. Mr Karri will discuss all risks and benefits of your scar revision procedure prior to starting your treatment.

In general, possible risks include:

Poor healing

Infection

Bleeding

The scar returning, or becoming wider, raised or more noticeable than before

Numbness around the scar – usually temporary, but can occasionally be permanent

Risks of anaesthesia (local with sedation, or general)

Any further surgery is charged as set out in our Revision Surgery Policy.

Medically reviewed by

Mr Vasu Karri

BSc(Hons), MBBS, MRCS, MSc, FRCS(Plast)
Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Last updated 30th September 2026