Scar revision or scar reduction procedures at rtwskin

Post traumatic and keloid scar treatments in Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Sussex

Before & After Photos

 


scar revision removal tunbridge Wells kentScar revision procedures aim to minimise the scar so that it is more consistent with the surrounding skin colour, tone and texture. Scars may be raised or recessed, different in colour or texture from the surrounding healthy tissue or particularly noticeable due to their size, shape or location.

Scars are visible because of colour and texture changes; different treatments may be required to address these different characteristics.

Here at rtwskin we offer a number of treatment options which can dramatically improve the appearance of scars.

The scar revision treatment options will depend on the type, size and location of your scar.

Scar revision treatments:

Steroid injections can be administered into the hypertrophic or keloid scar. The raised scar tissue will become softer, flatter and whiter in colour, matching the surrounding skin. Steroid injections can improve symptoms such as itching or pain. Several sessions are usually required to produce good results.
Topical creams and ointments.
Dermal fillers injections can help smooth concave scars.
Nd:Yag Laser or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™) can help to lighten the area if the scar is pink in colour.
Laser skin resurfacing methodis very effective for older white scars. The Fractional CO2 and Erbium Lasers are particularly effective in the treatment of post traumatic, atrophic and acne scars. These lasers remove the very top layer of the skin and stimulate the growth of healthy new skin. When the new skin grows back it is smoother than before, and the appearance of the scar is normally reduced. Laser resurfacing may be more risky for individuals who have dark skin colours. Usually more than one treatment is necessary for maximum improvement.

RF Fractional Microneedling. Minimally invasive RF thermal energy creates fractional electrocoagulation in the dermis which facilitates a natural wound healing process (WHP). WHP promotes the remodelling of collagen and wound contraction, which improves scarring.
Surgical scar excision is used for deep scars and for the reduction of the scar size. The incision may be closed with either skin grafts or tissue substitutes. Often we will recommend certain skincare products and sunscreens to be used before and after scar revision surgery.

There is neither a single procedure nor any surgeon in existence who can completely remove or eliminate scars. We can improve scar texture and colour by using the appropriate revision procedure.  A combination of treatments in many cases could provide superior results

Scar revision procedures for dark skin types Patients with darker skin types are more likely to have pigmentation changes in scars and any surrounding tissue. Inflammation resulting from the initial injury and subsequent healing stimulates increased pigment production in the skin, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). In many instances, once scar hyperpigmentation occurs, the only way to effectively remove the pigment from the scar is to excise the entire scar. The outcome of this treatment is very unpredictable

As all scars are not the same, it is difficult to predict how well a scar will respond without more information such as the colour, thickness, location, whether it is elevated or depressed, etc. The history surrounding the injury or surgery is also helpful in trying to determine why the scarring occurred; the approach may be different for a post-traumatic scar compared with a post-surgical scar.

Some scars respond best to medical treatment such as steroid injections and topical creams, some are best treated surgically and some are most likely to improve with laser treatment.

Surgical scar revision of any kind involves certain risks and side effects.  These possible side effects include changes in pigmentation (hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation), red coloration or occasionally fine visible capillaries within a scar, surface texture changes (hypertrophy or atrophy) and infection may occur. It is important to consider these risks and review your expectations thoroughly before you decide to proceed with the recommended procedure.

The healing process after Dermal Roller or Microneedling treatment on scars results in a smoother surface texture. In addition, the use of the needles crossing between normal tissue and scar tissue increases the possibility of micro-auto-transplantation of pigment cells from the normal tissue into the scar tissue, which may help to even out the pigmentation. Breaking up the fibrotic scar collagen below the surface of the skin sets the stage for new, normal collagen synthesis (neocollagenesis).  This in turn softens the scar and improves the texture.

We are an independent private clinic located in the centre of Tunbridge Wells, established for nearly ten years. We are registered with the CQC as an independent Hospital and we are proud to be a supplier to the NHS.

We have three divisions: Dermatology, The Travel Clinic and rtwskin, a Medical Aesthetic business.

We are one of the UK’s leading non-invasive aesthetic clinics and have some of the most experienced medical practitioners in the country.

Our practitioners have extensive training in this field and are very experienced with a variety of complex skin types and conditions. Our outstanding customer service and treatment satisfaction means on average 98 % of our clients would recommend us to family and friends. Independent survey, June 2014.