Facial Scars

Throughout history, facial scarring has been a source of low self-esteem for men, women and children. These scars can be erased or minimized with today's technology.

Facial scarring is usually caused by pervasive cystic acne, trauma, burns, surgery or a result of aggressive chicken pox. Scars form as part of the body's healing process whenever multiple layers of skin are injured. Facial scars can negatively effect a patient's self-esteem, as well as their business and social life. Many of these patients seek treatment to improve the appearance or texture of their facial scars.

What are my treatment options?

Today, doctors can choose from multiple treatment modalities. Their options include excisional surgery, punch grafting, soft tissue augmentation, laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and dermabrasion.

Which treatment is best for me?

During your conference with your surgeon, explain your goals and expectations of the treatment. Your surgeon will assess the nature of your scars, your expectations and explain the probable outcome of your procedure.

Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate treatment to achieve your expectations.

You may be shown several before and after treatment photographs of patients with similar scars, and your surgeon will explain the procedure you can expect to receive and the results that you can anticipate.

The Procedures

The following procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis and usually require local anesthesia.

Excisional surgery is the cutting away of scar tissue. Punch grafting is the removal of the scar tissue and replacement with a graft of good, healthy skin.

Soft tissue augmentation uses natural and synthetic fillers such as Artecoll®, Radiance™, Cymetra®, CosmoDerm™, CosmoPlast™, Hylaform™, Restylane® and Zyderm™ & Zyplast™ collagen. Utilizing the appropriate filler for you, your doctor will inject it under the treated area. Results are immediate. The duration of the improvement depends on the size and location of the scar treated as well as on the material used.

Laser resurfacing with CO2 lasers, Erbium lasers, dual mode lasers, and Vascular lasers gives your physician precise control as the procedure gently vaporizes the damaged or acne-scarred skin to reveal the smooth, fresh skin underneath. Scars are removed in a precise, rapid, bloodless fashion achieving excellent results. Laser scar removal can be performed with local anesthesia if limited areas are treated, while full face resurfacing is usually performed with the administration of intravenous sedation by an anesthesiologist.

Chemical Peels can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands and even arms and legs. Most chemical peels are performed as outpatient procedures in the doctor's office or surgical suite. Depending on your skin type and the desired results, your physician may recommend a superficial, medium or deep chemical peel. Your surgeon will select the proper chemical or mix of chemicals (glycolic acid, Jessner, TCA or trichloroacetic acid or carbolic acid) and apply the solution to various areas of skin. Once applied, the chemicals produce a separation and peeling of the outer layers of the skin. This stimulates the production of new skin from beneath.

Microdermabrasion can be likened to a "superficial skin polishing" using microcrystals vacuumed through a delicate hand piece. In as little as twenty minutes, this gentle abrasive technique efficiently produces satisfying results. Treatments are progressive and are applied through a course of weekly sessions.

This information is intended to supplement, not replace, a consultation with a board certified physician. To find out if you could be a candidate for one of these procedures or to learn more information about these procedures, we invite you to contact one of our doctors for a private consultation.

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