The visibility, severity, and depth of a scar is determined by the degree of injury within the epidermidis and dermis of the skin. Once scar collagen begins to develop during the phase of wound healing, scarring may set in and become a permanent part of your skin. Scar revision techniques have significantly improved over the last decade. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is a leading plastic surgeon and has expertise in less invasive scar revision treatments in his Los Angeles plastic surgery practice.

 

Kare Plastic Surgery is a comprehensive cosmetic center located in Santa Monica. Our board-certified plastic surgeons and clinical nurses are experts in cosmetic dermatology, laser, scar revision, and cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

 

Scar revision surgery

 

Deep dermal scars that are associated with previous surgery, skin trauma, or burns may benefit from surgical scar revision. Hypertrophic and keloid scars often respond well to excisional surgery and re-suturing in order to reduce the visibility of the scar on the skin. Facial scars and body scars can both benefit by Z-plasty and reconstructive scar revision techniques that can remove excess bulk from the skin and hide scars within established lines or creases. Surgical removal of a scar tissue is usually performed in an outpatient setting by removing excess scar tissue and re-suturing the skin edges to produce a less visible scar that is noticeably thinner and less cosmetically deforming.

 

Dr. Karamanoukian is a specialist in Z-plasty, surgical scar, excision, scar removal, keloid excision, and revision of plastic surgery scars . Facial scars, breastlift scars, and abdominoplasty scars are commonly seen in our plastic surgery office. A programmed and protocol based scar excision pattern may help improve the long-term results of your plastic surgery and give you a more cosmetically appealing outcome.

 

Laser scar revision

 

There are many new and innovative scar treatments that are performed using lasers or radiofrequency treatments. Micro-fractional laser can help improve texture and color of a pre-existing scar and micro-fractional radiofrequency can help modulate the visibility of red and inflamed scars on the skin. Functional scars that have restricted movement may also benefit from laser scar revision. The goal of laser therapy is to blend and camouflage a scar so that it looks less visible within the context of the surrounding skin. Improvements in color, texture, and topography of scars can be improved with a combination of lasers that address redness, skin color, and texture. AtKare Plastic Surgery, we have approximately 30 laser-based machines that can help improve your scar when combined with a protocol-based scar regimen. Dr. Karamanoukian is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has world-renown in improving scars on the face and body.

 

Laser scar revision is also an excellent modality for acne scars on the face. Treatments may improve skin atrophy, boxcar scars, valleys, scars, and icepick scars using combination modalities that improve the collagen content within the skin and reduce atrophy and skin indentation.

 

Microfractional radiofrequency

 

Microfractional RF is an excellent modality to help build collagen within pre-existing scar tissue. Our office employs Morpheus8, Luminess, fractional erbium, and other fractional RF treatments to help improve skin, texture, and rebuild collagen . Radio frequency is an excellent modality for acne scars as there is less downtime associated with resurfacing treatments. Indented and hypopigmented acne scars benefit from increased collagen and skin tightening.

 

Chemical peels

 

The plastic surgeons at Kare Plastic Surgery utilize chemical peels to help address skin pigmentation associated with scars. Hyperpigmentary framing and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can benefit from rapid exfoliation techniques using chemical peels . Dr. Karamanoukian can help you decide which chemical peel is ideal for your complexion and skin tone. Older scars with hyperpigmentation can benefit from a chemical peel exfoliation. Typically more than one treatment is required to help improve skin color and scar visibility.

 

Platelet Rich Plasma and Exosomes for Scar Revision

 

Platelet rich plasma and intralesional exosomes have been used to help boost wound healing in new and old scars. By using growth factors associated with platelets, collagen formation can be boosted in order to reduce scar visibility. Growth factors can help boost fundamental elements of wound healing and can dramatically improve painful scars that are inflamed. PRP and exosomes can also be added to microfractional radiofrequency, and laser therapies in order to further boost wound healing