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After an accident or surgery, scar tissue can affect your outward appearance and even your social life. You might feel embarrassed about facial scars, but you do not need to live with their effects forever. Through facial scar revision surgery in Washington DC, you can improve a scar’s appearance, making it as smooth and invisible as possible.
If you are unhappy or embarrassed by a scar’s appearance, you have several options to revitalize this part of your skin. Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Somenek can provide comprehensive scar revision services to help you achieve smooth, clear skin once again. There is hope for those looking to remove scars and achieve a natural and softer look to their skin.
Scars may be noticeable due to their size, location, or shape, and they can be raised on the surface of the skin or appear as depressions. Scars can also differ in texture or color from other areas on the body. Three of the most common types of facial scars that Doctors Somenek and Pittman see at our Washington DC practice are hypertrophic, contractures, and keloids.
Hypertrophic scars are raised, often thick and red, and appear on the damaged tissue site. They can be dark or light in appearance.
Contracture scars get their name from the fact that they restrict movement due to skin and underlying tissues pulled together during healing. They often occur when a large area of skin is lost, or in wounds that occur on or near a joint.
Keloids are thick clusters of scar tissue and usually develop on the face, neck, or chest. Burn areas are examples of keloid scars.
It is recommended that you wait a year or more after the incident in question to begin your scar revision, in order to allow the site to properly heal on its own.
The type and amount of scarring affect the kind of treatment you would receive. Procedures for facial scar reduction at Somenek + Pittman MD in Washington DC range from non-surgical medications and injectables, to tissue expansion and skin grafts. Consult with our surgeons to decide which of these techniques will best be able to help you meet your cosmetic goals.
There is no way to completely remove a scar – the primary goal is to disguise, relocate, or minimize its prominence. When successful, it should be practically invisible to others and allow you to socialize without feeling self-conscious.
After the surgery, you might experience some swelling, bruising, or redness. Our surgeons will remove the suture within a few days, but the skin will continue to naturally heal after that. You should restrict physical activity and gradually increase it over a period of weeks. You should then follow up in a few months to ensure the best results.
The effectiveness of scar reduction surgery depends on several factors, including the nature of the injury, your body’s healing mechanism, the size and depth of the wound, and your skin’s thickness and color. If you wish to hide embarrassing scars, Doctors Somenek and Pittman can set you up for facial scar revision surgery in Washington DC. Place a call today and discuss your concerns and goals with our professional staff.
Dr. Troy Pittman is an internationally recognized expert in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast and body. Dr. Pittman is Board-Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and practices the full spectrum of Plastic Surgery procedures. He has specific interest and expertise in aesthetic surgery of the breast, including complex revision breast surgery.
Michael Somenek, M.D., is a facial plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C. whose practice offers specialized cosmetic and reconstructive services. In addition to his high levels of experience and talent, Dr. Somenek is also a compassionate and warm surgeon who finds personal fulfillment in helping patients rejuvenate their appearances and their confidence. Request a consultation online to meet personally with Dr. Somenek, or call our office to schedule a consultation.