Scar Reduction in Houston TX

There are different types of scars, and treatment may differ among them, depending on the size, depth, color, and location of the scar, as well as the patient’s skin type (sensitive, dry, and normal skin) and overall skin health.  The most common scars that we treat in our practice include the following:

• Mild to severe acne scars
• Chicken pox scars
• Hypertrophic scars
• Keloid scars
• Surgical scars
• Scars from prior accidents or injuries
• Depressed scars

Keloids

Keloids are raised, thick, sometimes itchy bands of scar tissue that develop outside the borders of a wound. Keloids are typically red or brown in color and appear much darker than the surrounding skin. These scars develop when the body continues to produce excess collagen beyond the amount required to heal a wound.  While keloids can appear in any area of the body, they’re most commonly found on the shoulders, the collarbone and chest, the neck and throat region, and on the earlobes. Keloids may be hereditary and tend to more often affect people with darker skin than those with lighter complexions.

Steroid injections delivered directly into the keloid may reduce redness, itching, and stinging in the keloid, and may also effectively reduce the appearance or prominence of the scar in some patients.

While the propensity for developing keloids decreases as we age because the body naturally produces less collagen, keloids tend to recur, and in some cases may grow larger and darker than they were originally. To prevent this, scar revision surgery may be combined with steroid shots or radiation therapy. You may also be instructed to cover the area with a protective pressure garment for a period of about a year. Yet, even with all of these precautions, it is still possible for keloids to recur every few years, requiring follow-up treatment.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars are similar to keloids, as both may appear as raised lesions that are thick, hard, and red. The difference is that hypertrophic scars grow exclusively inside the edges of the original wound. Hypertrophic scars may improve on their own in many cases after a period of about a year, or they may be treated with steroid medications.

If steroid treatments don’t diminish the scar sufficiently, surgical scar revision may be considered. Revision surgery involves surgically removing some of the scar tissue, and in some cases changing the position of the incision or wound to provide less visibility. Depending on the location and size of the scar, revision surgery may be performed using local or general anesthesia.  Surgical scar revision may be combined with steroid injections administered during the surgery and continued at regular intervals for a period of as long as two years after surgery to discourage the scar from growing back.

Burns or other surface injuries that damage a wide area of the skin’s surface typically produce scars that contract the skin and are known as contractures.  The typical treatment for a contracture normally involves surgically removing the scar and applying a skin graft or a flap over the area.

In some cases, a procedure known as Z-plasty may be used to effectively treat contractures. Z-plasty reshapes the scar into the shape of a Z so that it may be more effectively camouflaged in the skin’s natural lines and creases. This treatment may also alleviate the tension caused by a contracture as it pulls on neighboring skin tissue. Not all scars are suitable for Z-plasty treatment, however, and other techniques may turn out to be more effective.

Facial scars can be especially noticeable because they appear on one of the most visible areas of the body. Whether caused by injury, acne, surgery, burns, or previous trauma, facial scars may affect skin texture, tone, and overall confidence. While no treatment can completely erase a scar, facial scar revision can often help make scars smoother, softer, flatter, and less noticeable.

Treatment options depend on the type, size, depth, location, and age of the scar. Some facial scars may be improved with surgical scar revision, where the scar is carefully removed and closed with fine sutures to create a thinner, more refined scar. In certain cases, Dr. Bachilo may reposition the scar so it follows the natural creases or relaxed skin tension lines of the face, helping it blend more naturally with surrounding skin.

Nonsurgical treatments may also be recommended to improve facial scars, including Tixel C, RF microneedling, skin resurfacing with Venus Viva, steroid injections, or other customized scar reduction treatments. These options can help improve scar texture, discoloration, and uneven skin tone. During a consultation at Glamour Plastic Surgery and Med Spa in Houston, TX, Dr. Bachilo will evaluate your scar and recommend the best facial scar treatment plan for your skin and goals.

Dr. Bachilo will provide detailed instructions for post-operative care that you must follow after surgery to ensure optimal healing. Although you may not require much downtime after your surgery, Dr. Bachilo will advise you as to a reasonable timeline for resuming your normal activities.

Bear in mind that no scar can be erased completely, and the success of your scar revision treatment will be affected by such factors as the size and direction of your scar, your skin type, and how well you adhere to proper post-operative care directions. If your scar initially appears to look worse after surgery, don’t panic: the final results of your surgery may take as long as a year to fully develop.