Scar Revision Surgery FAQs

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Scar is one of the most commonly enquired-about plastic surgical procedures, and it a particular set of questions: what improvement can be expected, when is the right time to operate, how does the procedure actually work, and what to the new scar after the old one is . This FAQ answers the our consultants address most often at consultation.

For the underlying biology and the full menu of scar types, start with . For the wider overview, see at Centre for Surgery’s CQC-regulated Baker Street private hospital.

What is a scar?

A scar is the body’s repair tissue. When an injury or incision breaches the deeper dermal layer of the skin, the body responds by laying down to bridge the gap. This replacement collagen is from the skin — more disorganised, less elastic, often a colour and texture. The scar is what visible at the surface.

Scar formation moves through three phases. Inflammation in the first week clears debris and recruits repair cells. Proliferation over weeks one to six lays down new and the scar appears red, firm and raised. over the following 12 to 18 months gradually the collagen and the scar matures into its final form — typically paler, and softer than during the early phases. This timeline matters it is the reason scar is deferred for at least 12 months after the injury.

What are the different types of scars?

Every patient heals differently, and scars vary by location, depth, technique, skin type and other factors. The main categories:

Different scar types to treatments, which is why the consultation begins with identifying which type of scar you have. For full see and

How long does scar healing take?

The skin surface closes within 1 to 2 weeks of an injury or surgical . Scar maturation, however, continues for 12 to 18 months. The appearance during the first few months is not the final appearance.

timeline:

The implication: most scars look worst between weeks 6 and 12, and best months 12 and 18. This is one reason scar is generally not performed until at least 12 months after the original injury.

Can a scar be harmful or just cosmetic?

Most scars are benign and cosmetic — they cause no functional and serve simply as a reminder of the injury. Some, however, can cause genuine functional or symptomatic issues:

Scars causing functional benefit from earlier rather than later assessment. is also a reason to seek treatment, particularly when the scar is in a area or causing .

When is the right time for scar revision?

The standard guidance: wait at least 12 months from the original injury before surgical scar revision. The reasons:

This guidance to scar revision . scar management — silicone, sun protection, gentle massage, intralesional steroid injection for problem scars — should start during the maturation window, as soon as the wound has fully closed at around 2 weeks . Early non-surgical management is the most intervention for influencing the final scar appearance.

For scar types the timing varies. Acne is once active acne is controlled. scars often naturally over 12–24 months and can be during that period before revision. Keloids need active treatment rather than watchful waiting.

What does scar revision surgery actually involve?

Scar revision is by excising the scar and the area with technique. The procedure varies in from simple linear excision to more geometric rearrangements:

Most scar at Centre for Surgery are performed under local as procedures. More complex cases — scars, large areas, contracture Nefertiti Neck Lift with Botox skin — may need TIVA (total anaesthesia) or .

What about non-surgical scar improvement?

Many scars improve with non-surgical alone, surgical revision. This is the approach it less risk and lower cost. Options include:

Many patients from combining several modalities. The plan is to the scar type, location, skin type, and the patient’s goals.

Do some patients scar more than others?

Yes. Several factors influence how a scars:

Knowing your individual risk profile lets your surgeon plan technique and post-operative scar accordingly.

Are scars permanent?

Yes, in the strictest sense. Once the deeper layer of skin has been damaged and with replacement collagen, that structural change is permanent. What treatment can achieve is significantly the scar’s visibility, sometimes to the point where it is hard to find without close .

This is why realistic expectations matter. A who expecting “the scar will be completely gone” is likely to be disappointed even with an excellent result. A patient who arrives expecting “the scar will be much less noticeable” is likely to be delighted with the same outcome. Good includes a frank discussion about what is achievable for the specific scar in .

What about recovery from scar revision?

Recovery depends on the used. For simple linear and re-closure:

More complex revisions — tissue expansion, contracture release, skin grafting — have longer recovery that are discussed at consultation.

What we don’t recommend

Frequently asked questions

No — there will be a new scar in place of the old one. The aim is for the new scar to be much less noticeable than the original. The outcome depends on the technique used, the patient’s skin type, and how the new scar is during its 12–18 month .

Costs vary by complexity. Simple local anaesthetic revision starts from around £1,500–2,500. More cases involving tissue expansion, multiple stages, or general anaesthesia are priced accordingly. is available. For full discussion see

NHS funding for scar is . Cases with functional (restricted movement, recurrent ulceration, contracture) may qualify; cosmetic revision usually doesn’t. Most scar revision privately.

Simple linear revisions take 30–60 minutes under local anaesthetic. More complex (Z-plasty, multiple-stage closure, tissue expansion) take longer. The establishes the right approach and the procedure duration.

For simple linear revision under local anaesthetic, most return to non-physical work within 1–2 days. Heavy physical work or work the wound area should be for 2 weeks. More revisions may need longer.

Often yes — multiple small scars can be in a single appointment. We assess this at consultation based on the number, size, and locations.

The local anaesthetic injection a brief sting. The procedure itself is painless. Mild for 1–2 days afterwards is normal and with paracetamol.

Yes — there is no upper limit on how old a scar can be before . The technique and realistic are discussed at .

For most it will. For those at higher risk of problematic — keloid history, darker skin types, areas — the post-operative scar management is intensified, sometimes with adjunctive or laser treatment, to optimise the result.

Yes — scar revision is often with procedures such as facelift surgery, abdominoplasty (which itself produces a scar that benefits from optimised technique), or other plastic surgical .

Centre for is a CQC-regulated clinic at 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone. All are performed by GMC-registered consultant plastic . We offer the full range of and scar treatments, calibrated to your scar type and skin. No GP referral is .

For related guides, see , , , , , and

Centre for Surgery · CQC-regulated · GMC specialist-registered · · · ·

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Centre for is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering plastic and surgery through GMC-registered . Our expertise spans facial and , , for men, and body contouring such as and . Patient safety, and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.

Centre for is a CQC-regulated hospital on London’s iconic , offering and cosmetic surgery led by GMC-registered consultant surgeons.

Marylebone
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