Introduction
At our esteem practice in Miami, scar revision is a very common procedure offered by Dr. Gregory Lewen. As a double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon, Gregory D. Lewen, M.D., offers this procedure for men and women in Miami, Aventura, and the surrounding areas of Florida. Dr. Lewen is one of a select few plastic surgeons who specializes in plastic surgery of the eyes.
Scars are a natural and expected part of healing. Scars can occur as the result of a trauma, accident, burn, inflammatory process (i.e. acne), injury, or surgery. Visible scarring of the skin typically occurs wherever multiple layers of the skin have been affected. Some patients may have medical conditions that predispose them to thicker scar formation, while other patients may be genetically more prone to thicker scar tissue formation as well. Although there are always precautions that can be taken to try to minimize the risk of undesirable scar formation, the healing process can sometimes be a little unpredictable. Some other factors that can also affect undesirable scar tissue formation can include: excessive sun/UV exposure, smoking, alcohol consumption, overexertion after surgery, poor nutrition, and other environmental variables.
Even a wound that heals well overall can potentially result in the formation of a scar that is raised or depressed, different in color or texture from the surrounding healthy tissue, or otherwise more noticeable due to size, shape, or location.
Once a scar forms, it may also change over the course of time, or it can be permanent. Maturation of scar tissue is a process that can sometimes occur over the course of many years, although most scars will begin to settle into their long-term appearance around six months to a year after the initial injury or surgery.
Scar revision may address some or all of these concerns for the patient.
In cases where the appearance of a scar remains more pronounced, it can be made to appear less visible, softened, or completely relocated by a scar revision surgery. Surgery can help to narrow, fade, hide, and/or otherwise reduce the appearance of more severe or unacceptable scarring, which is especially helpful in areas of cosmetic importance such as on the face and around the eyes. Chemical peeling or laser resurfacing procedures can also be very helpful for improving the appearance of scars in certain cases.
Any patient that is considering eyelid or facial scar revision must understand that there is no way to completely remove scars. The goal of any revision procedure is to significantly improve the appearance of the scar, either by disguising it, relocating it, softening it, or minimizing its prominence, while creating an area that is more consistent with the surrounding texture and tone of your skin and facial structures.
There are several important factors to consider when addressing this procedure, and these include individual patient characteristics such as skin tone, skin type, age, other medical conditions that affect the healing process, a history of keloid or thick scar formation in the past, and the location of the scar. These details will be an important part of your discussion with Dr. Lewen before considering scar revision surgery.
Scar revision surgery can certainly provide a more pleasing cosmetic result by improving the appearance of a scar that has healed poorly. Again, please remember that a scar can never be completely erased, and the goal of this procedure is a cosmetic improvement, not perfection. Dr. Lewen uses advanced techniques in wound closure during his surgical scar revision procedures. You may also benefit from other treatment options such as laser treatments, peels, injections of medications to alter the composition structure of a scar, and/or a medical-grade skincare regimen. Dr. Lewen will need to discuss your specific concerns with you in order to determine the best, individualized treatment plan to improve the appearance of your scar.
Scar Revision Cost
The cost of scar revision in Miami will vary on a number of factors. The best first step is to book a consultation. Your appoitment with Dr. Lewen for scar revision surgery takes about 1 hour. During this time, he works with you to develop an individualized treatment plan, and we base the cost upon this plan. In the meantime, we encourage you to learn about our financing options.