Which scars can be revised?
Widened scar: stretched by skin tension, common on the back, shoulders and limbs.
Raised (hypertrophic) scar: red and thick, but remaining within the original outline.
Keloid scar: a true overgrowth extending beyond the original scar. Its management is specific and cautious, as the risk of recurrence is real — surgery is only proposed within a precise framework, often combined with other treatments.
Contracted scar: a tight band that pulls on the skin and can limit movement, particularly near creases and joints.
Depressed, tethered scars, or scars poorly orientated relative to the skin's natural lines.
The techniques
Excision and resuture: the scar is removed in its entirety and the closure is redone layer by layer, without tension — the basic procedure, often sufficient for a widened scar.
Local plasties (Z-plasty, W-plasty): the path is reorientated to follow the lines of least tension and to break up a contracted band.
Associated procedures as required: skin grafting for tissue defects, corticosteroid injections for raised scars, laser treatments as a complement or alternative for texture and colour.
The strategy depends on the type of scar, its location, its age and your healing history.
The right time to revise a scar
A scar evolves over 12 to 18 months: it reddens, sometimes thickens, then softens and fades. Except in special cases (a bothersome contracted band, for example), complete maturation is awaited before considering revision: many scars improve spontaneously during the first year, and operating on a scar that is still inflammatory gives poorer results.
Procedure and recovery
The operation is most often performed under local anaesthesia, as day surgery; its duration depends on the length and the technique.
Recovery is straightforward: dressings for one to two weeks, avoidance of tension on the area, moderate discomfort.
The result is assessed over time: the new scar also follows a maturation cycle of several months, during which massage and photoprotection are essential.
Expected results
The objective is a clear and lasting improvement: a finer, flatter, well-orientated scar that blends into the skin's natural lines. The result depends on the type of original scar, the area (some regions heal better than others) and each person's own healing quality — factors assessed honestly with you at the consultation.