Scar Removal Surgery

When conventional treatment fails to remove scars, opting for scar removal surgery often works to significantly reduce their appearance. Following are the different surgical procedures that may help to get rid of these unsightly marks.

Considering the location and the size of the scar, a specific plastic surgery technique will be implemented. Plastic surgery generally involves removing the damaged skin and replacing it with a healthy skin taken from other site.

This procedure is known as skin grafting in which healthy skin is transplanted at the scar site. This method has been used for years to restore the natural appearance of the affected part of the skin. In some cases, the scar is slightly shifted from its original position, where it appears less visible with the surrounding healthy skin.

A surgical incision can also be made to remove the affected part of the skin, which is then re-stitched carefully in the same area, in such a way that the new scar formed is far less visible than the previous one. This type of surgery is commonly used to ensure that the scars are not readily noticed.

There are different lasers and their usage will depend upon the factors responsible for causing scars. For instance CO₂ laser beam is used to clear away acne scars. On the other hand, the Pulse Dye Laser is useful to improve severe scarring that has remained for a long time.

In this procedure, high-energy light is targeted on the scarred tissue to remove the damaged tissue. The laser eliminates the unwanted skin tissue, thereby uncovering the healthy skin layer beneath it.

Cryosurgery involves application of freezing temperature to get rid of scarred tissues. The damaged skin tissue cannot withstand the application of any frozen object and as a result wears away, without hurting the underlying skin.

This procedure is used when the scars are more prominent and raised. Generally, super cooled liquid nitrogen is applied, either by using a cotton swab or is sprayed on the affected skin. As anesthesia is not used, cryosurgery can be a bit uncomfortable but the pain is well tolerable.

The cost totally depends on the size of the scar. Larger the skin deformity, higher will be the surgery cost. A physician will give a surgery cost estimate, by taking into consideration his own fees, anesthesia fees, as well as the cost of scar removal procedure. On the whole, the cost can vary anywhere between $300 to $15000.

This might appear a bit costly but the surgical procedure has been quite beneficial to reduce the appearance of scars. In case of laser surgery, the cost will depend on the number of sessions of laser therapy.

Severe scarring does not disappear in just 1 session and may require 4-5 sessions for removal. Another factor that will determine the cost is the laser itself. A plasma high energy laser, costs anywhere between $3000 to $5000, whereas a fractional laser costs approximately $2000 for every session.

On the whole, if OTC medicines do not help to improve texture of the affected skin, scar removal surgery is one method that one can rely on, as it has a high success rate in fading scars.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.