Scars are the inevitable result of any surgical procedure, but plastic surgery scars seem especially ironic. After all, whether it?s reconstructive or cosmetic surgery a patient is seeking, at least a good part of the reason is to look better. Occasionally a scar may blemish an otherwise pleasing result, and some patients seek what?s known as ?scar revision.?
First, what exactly is a scar? Smith & Nephew, an international medical device manufacturer, maintains a Scar Information Service as part of its Wound Management website. The organization presents a comprehensive overview of scars that?s a useful read for people considering surgery (see below for links).
Smith & Nephew explained that the skin?s ability to form new cells allows it to repair itself following a wound. The result is a scar. In the case of plastic surgery, damage occurs not only on the surface but on deeper layers of tissue as well. This prompts the body to generate collagen fibers to repair the wound, which look different than normal surface skin. The result is most often a scar that?s noticeable (Smith & Nephew 1).
The website went on to say that it can take up to two years for the look of a scar to be final. Collagen continues to be produced and blood vessels gradually return, meaning that a scar will usually improve in appearance for a time. Most will remain visible, according to Smith & Nephew, and scars do not allow hair to re-grow (Smith & Nephew 1).
The Smith & Nephew site presents a complete list of scars, from flat, pale scars that are common to almost everyone to the more obvious raised, red scars called ?hypertropic? or ?keloid? scars some people develop to stretch marks and acne scars (Smith & Nephew 2).
If you?re considering plastic surgery, scars are one factor to weigh in your decision. Different procedures pose different scarring possibilities, and it?s a good idea to understand your potential outcome thoroughly.
* Some incisions can be completely hidden; therefore you won?t need to worry about visible scars after healing. This can be the case for lower eyelid surgery (ASPS 1), and cheek or chin implants (ASPS 2), for example.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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