Hello. I am Lee Sang-ju, a dermatologist. Many people choose plastic surgery to improve their appearance, but not a few also have concerns about the scars left after surgery. Today, we will learn more about the scars that can occur after plastic surgery and their treatment methods.
Various Types of Scars Appearing After Plastic Surgery
The scars left after plastic surgery vary greatly in form. Many people visit dermatology clinics with the following concerns:
- Color Change: When the scar area appears whiter or remains redder than the surrounding skin.
- Height Change: When the skin height is uneven due to hypertrophic scars that are raised above the skin surface or depressed scars that are sunken.
- Texture Change: When the scar area becomes bumpy and not smooth.
Common Areas for Plastic Surgery Scars
Plastic surgery scars appear differently depending on the surgical site. In particular, many patients visit for scars after the following cosmetic surgeries:
- Double Eyelid Surgery: Concerns about scars widening or darkening.
- Epicanthoplasty: Concerns about the epicanthal area becoming larger or uneven in height.
- Nose Surgery: Scars remaining after alar reduction surgery or scars after nose augmentation surgery in the philtrum area.
- Breast Augmentation: Scars remaining on the breast area or armpits.
How Should Plastic Surgery Scars Be Treated?
Plastic surgery scar treatment methods can be broadly divided into two categories.
Reoperation Should Be Considered Carefully
The first is reoperation for scar removal. However, reoperation often leads to more severe or bumpy scars, requiring a cautious approach.
Laser Treatment, an Effective Method for Scar Improvement
The second treatment method is laser treatment. Laser scar treatment works to soften the scar area and restore skin color to be closer to normal. It is not that the scar completely disappears with a single treatment, but rather, gradual improvement can be expected through repeated treatments.
What Makes Laser Scar Treatment Special?
Laser scar treatment helps achieve desired results by selecting the appropriate laser based on the scar's height, texture, and color (redness or whiteness).
- Bumpy Scars: Methods such as Pinhole Technique are effective in leveling the skin height.
- Red Scars: Redness can be alleviated using pigment lasers such as V-beam Laser.
- Hyperpigmented Scars: Skin can be brightened using special lasers or pigment lasers.
Scars vary in color, texture, and height, so it is difficult to satisfy all needs with a single device. It is important to choose a clinic equipped with various laser devices.
Criteria for Choosing a Clinic for Successful Scar Treatment
Plastic surgery scars require delicate and meticulous treatment. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a clinic considering the following points:
- Possession of Various Equipment: A clinic equipped with various laser devices to suit the diverse characteristics of scars.
- Abundant Treatment Experience: Medical staff with extensive experience in treating various scars.
- Meticulous and Delicate Treatment: Medical staff who treat scars carefully, as they are often in noticeable areas.
When Is the Best Time to Start Scar Treatment?
The timing of scar treatment after plastic surgery is important.
- Early Treatment: It is recommended to consider laser treatment 1 to 2 weeks after removing stitches from plastic surgery. Generally, it is important to minimize scarring within 6 months after surgery, and for those who are constitutionally prone to scarring, active treatment at this time is advisable.
- Later Treatment: Scars remaining after 6 months require laser treatment to restore the scar. In this case, receiving consistent treatment with appropriate lasers, observing the scar's progress every one to two months, helps achieve good results.
Today, we looked at scars after plastic surgery. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.