When the skin gets damaged as a result of an injury or a surgical operation, the result is always a scar formation. How visible this scar will be, depends on many features such as its location and direction, the skin type, the suturing technique, the sun exposure and many other. All scars evolve during time: For the first six months they get red and after such period they start to take the color of the skin. The maturation of the scar can last up to one and a half year, and only after this period of time it can be judged and decide whether reconstruction is worthy. There are many ways to improve a scar but up to date there is no way that can guarantee a 100% success. On the other hand in the majority of the cases, Plastic Surgery can provide a significant improvement. The use of machinery, laser, RF or liquid nitrogen type does not have anything to add to this direction.
Hypertrophic Scars
The final result of the scar doesn’t extend the original trauma. The most common solution is the excision and re-suture using the techniques of Plastic Surgery. In addition special silicon bandages can be used and local corticosteroids. In cases where scar direction is not parallel to the skin lines a “Z” or “W” plasty is recommended.
Cheloids
Cheloids are scars that have extend the original area of the trauma. They usually are red with rich vascularity, causing pruritus and are a result of an excessive response of the organism to the trauma. The most usual positions are the retro-auricular region, the sternum and the shoulders. Their treatment is difficult with no guaranty of success, and involves possible excision, use of injectable corticosteroids, use of silicone-based bandages and creams