A scar is a mark on the surface of the skin that is formed by tissue replacement with fibrous connective tissue. It is the result of an injury to the body, such as surgery, wounds or burns. That is to say, when a tissue suffers an injury, wound, necrosis, burn, etc., this, in general, is replaced by collagen and elastin tissue that repairs the loss. However, except for tissues such as the liver and a few others, this tissue does not have the original normal characteristics.
Although any tissue that is injured must be repaired with healing, in this case we will refer specifically to skin lesions. Depending on the type of scar, it can be elevated or depressed, hard or soft. You can also have a scar that is discolored, large, or in the wrong place, which can be a source of anxiety, depression, and body image issues.
Plastic surgery and scars: can scars be erased?
Plastic surgery can help improve scars left by an injury, such as a cut or surgical incision. This is called scar revision, and it can be done using a variety of procedures depending on the severity or type of the scar and your individual needs. The goal of scar correction is to reduce the appearance of the scar and make it less noticeable, even those that are years old. We can never talk about «erasing scars», and in fact it is key to be suspicious of those who offer this.
Procedures range from excision of the scar down to the subcutaneous tissue, with subsequent closure of the wound using sutures or more permanent staples. These procedures are often combined with skin resurfacing to remove uneven pigmentation and restore color to the scarred area. Apart from reducing their size, you can change their orientation, homogenize their surface, and many other techniques that are part of the plastic surgery specialist’s armamentarium.
The ideal specialist will adequately guide his patient, will educate him on the different aspects and will propose realistic solutions. Again it is important not to believe in those people or institutions that promise to «erase scars».
Schedule your appointment to review scars in the cities of Manizales or Medellín, it will be a pleasure to assist you!
