Scar Removal: Q&A

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How Can I Get Rid of Old Scars?

Can an old scar be removed? I had a surgical operation when I was 6 years old in my tummy and now I am 23 years old. The scar on my tummy is about 5 inches long. I also have a scar from chickenpox on my face. Prevention or treatment of the scar while it's healing isn't an option anymore. Is it possible that these can be removed? What kind of treatment would you recommend and how much will it cost? How long would the treatment be?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Removing old scars

It is possible to revise scars so that they are not as visible, but more difficult to remove them completely. It sounds like for the abdomen you are a good candidate for s surgical scar revision with a plastic surgeon. There is a good chance this will make the scar much less visible. For the chicken pox scar, you have a couple options. If a small light linear scar is more acceptable to you, you might be a candidate for a surgical scar revision and another option is laser resurfacing,... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

4 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Scar Revision on the abdomen or chest

Scar revision employs a variety of surgical and non surgical modalities, including surgical scar revision, topical creams, injections of TAC, and scar modification. It is advisable to seek the advice of a surgeon who is able to perform all of these modalities.

Scars

Sometimes scars can be improved by scar revision surgery. Some lasers can remove hyperpigmentation while others can soften the contour irregularities. Without examining you it is difficult to let you know exactly what to do.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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Treatments for old scars

Unfortunately, scars are for life. However, this does not mean they cannot be improved. For issues of surface irregularities (elevated scar, lumpy scar, etc.) planing of the scar by dermabrasion works well. Color changes in a scar may be improved via certain lasers or IPL. For indented or puckered scars, deep release combined with a filler (fat grafting, Juvederm, etc.) may work. In cases where a scar is quite large or has a functional impairment (common in burn... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

How to Get Rid of Old Scars

Scars are permanent. As plastic surgeons, we try to hide them in lines that people normally have. Most plastic surgeons will wait at least 10 months to a year before attempting surgical revision as the scar needs to be mature before surgery. The problem with surgical revision is that there is no guarantee that the new scar will be better than the scar that you have right now. There are other modalities that might help. discoloration may be treated with laser therapy. Hypertrophic or... more

The long scar can probably be adressed by scar revision

Hello, It sounds like you might be a candidate for a scar revision. A doctor would need to see the scar to be sure.

Scar Management

As I tell all of my patients, those with previous scars and those who I am planning on operating on, scars are permanent, but it is a plastic surgeon's passion to construct or repair current scars in a concealing manner. In a sense, hide them so that although they are present, they are not obvious to the naked eye. Surgical repair techniques include, but are not limited to, excision and re-repair, Z-plasty utilization, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and even make-up concealer... more

Getting rid of old scars

You can't. Scars are forever. However, in some cases scars can be made to look less noticeable by various techniques called SCAR REVISION. Depending on the location of the scar, the way it was caused, the adjacent tissues, Plastic surgeons can remove the scar, use various surgical techniques to exchange it for a new scar which would hopefully be nicer. The cost would vary widely based on the scar. Good Luck.

Peter A. Aldea, MD

35 reviews

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Scar Revision

Scars can not be completely removed. What can happen is that the scar can be revised or redone so that the new scar you have is aesthetically more pleasing. Some laser can help with hyperpigmentation issues as can some creams. Hope that helps.

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

Scar Removal: Q&A