Scar Revision / Laser Scar Reduction in Alpharetta, GA
Most people have scars, but when a scar affects your appearance, it can be embarrassing. The Graivier Center can help with our scar revision treatments.
Scar revision treatments can improve the condition or appearance of a scar anywhere on your body, making it more consistent with the surrounding skin tone and texture.
Scar Revision Consultation
At The Graivier Center, we value our personal relationships with our patients. Each patient is treated as an individual, and as such, is given a personal consultation prior to any treatment. Dr. Graivier and his staff will meet with you to help you make decisions regarding which procedure(s) or treatment(s) will result in achieving your aesthetic goals. The consultation will conclude with a discussion about the desired treatment, your expectations, the benefits and risks associated with the treatment and post-treatment recovery.
Types of Scars
There are several different types of scars and each responds well to different or a combination of treatments.
- Subtle Scars are scars that are discolored or have surface irregularities can be cosmetically improved by laser surgery. These types of scars include acne scars as well as scars resulting from minor injury and prior surgical incisions.
- Hypertropic scars are thick clusters of scar tissue that have developed directly at a wound site. They are often raised, red and/or uncomfortable, and they may become wider over time. They can be hyper-pigmented (darker in color) or hypo-pigmented (lighter in color).
- Keloids are large, painful or itchy scars that may also pucker. Keloids extend beyond the edges of an original wound or incision. They can occur anywhere on your body, but are found most commonly 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 movement of the fingers, elbows, knees or neck.
- Stretch Marks and non-pigmented scars can be caused by pregnancy or by rapid weight-loss or gain. Non-pigmented scars are white in color and generally long-standing. In these areas, the elastic properties of the skin have been over-stretched and cannot come back on its own.
Scar Revision Procedures
- Topical treatments including gels, tapes or external compression, can help in wound closure and healing or to reduce the ability of skin to produce irregular pigment. These products may be used to treat existing surface scars and discoloration and to aid in healing of scar revision procedures.
- Injectable treatments are used to fill depressed or concave scars. Depending on the injectable substance used and your particular scar conditions, results may last from three months to several years. Therapy must be repeated to maintain results.
- Surface treatments are used for cosmetic improvement of scars. These treatment options include: dermabrasion, laser or light therapy, chemical peel solutions and skin bleaching agents.
- Layered closure are used for deep, old scars that extend below the skin surface, or for scars in areas of the body with a high degree of movement.
- Pharmaceutical tissue substitutes may be used if ample healthy tissue is not present for closure of a scar excision. This is more likely with revision of severe burn scars.
- Tissue expansion is a substitute for skin grafts. This treatment involves the placement of an inflatable balloon, called a tissue expander, under the skin near the scar site. Over several treatments, the balloon is filled with sterile solution to expand the area of healthy skin. Once the skin has been stretched sufficiently, the expander and the scar is removed and the stretched skin is moved to replace the scar tissue.
