Scar Removal Treatment Melbourne
Transform your skin with our professional scar reduction therapies.
If you have a scar that makes you feel self-conscious, Chelsea Cosmetics Melbourne can help.
Scarring is a result of how your skin heals after injury. When the deep, thick layer of your skin (the dermis) is damaged, your body forms new collagen fibres to mend the damage, resulting in a scar.
Scars come in all shapes and sizes. They can be flat, hollow, or raised. They can be skin-coloured, white (hypopigmented), or brown (hyperpigmented). Some prominent scars, like keloids, can extend beyond the original wound area.
Different types of scars suitable for scar removal treatment include:
- Dark or Light Scars: Caused by an injury with a depth that extends into the dermis. If formed seven to ten days after the wound, a light or dark scar can form.
- Raised Scars: The abnormal skin healing often results in the prominent scar tissue of either a Keloid Scar (outside of the border of the initial injury or Hypertrophic Scars (raised but to a lesser degree).
- Indented Scars: The most common scar type is often a result of acne and is caused by a lesser amount of scar tissue forming, which does not match up with the surrounding skin.
Non Surgical Scar Removal Treatments
Many non surgical techniques are being used to prevent and treat scarring. The following methods can be used individually or together with other surgical methods:
Chemical peeling: A chemical solution is used on the skin surface, which peels off the top layers promoting new cell growth
Compression Garments: Applying constant pressure to prevent scar formation on new wounds and burns and assisting to flatten raised scarring.
Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy involves the surface of the scar being frozen with nitrogen. This causes the scar to blister and shrink, making it far less noticeable.
Physiotherapy: Physical therapy includes massaging and stretching the skin around the scar to stimulate healthy cell growth
Radiotherapy: Used for more difficult cases such as keloid scars after surgery and may involve multiple sessions
Silicone: Silicone in the form of a gel can treat hypertrophic scars (raised thick scars) or prevent them when used as a dressing
Soft tissue fillers: Used to fill out indents from scars and can include the patient's fat or an artificial filler such as Restylane.
Steroid Injections: Several direct injections of steroids (cortisone) can diminish the thickness of scars
Tape: Micropore tape can prevent stretching and thicker scars from forming days after injury.
Topical Creams: Topical steroid (cortisone) creams can help lessen the intensity of the scar.
Scar Removal Surgery
For those with more severe scarring, scar revision surgery provides a solution. This procedure can reduce the appearance of lingering scars and improve its function. The recovery period will depend on the specific procedure performed, but once the area is fully healed, the results should be permanent and may even improve over time. Typical surgeries for scar removal include:
Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion or dermaplaning is a procedure that removes the top layers of skin, surface irregularities and uneven edges with a surgical scraping machine, almost like sanding. This process lessens the visibility of the scars after the skin surface heals and creates a smoother layer of new skin.
Excision: The Excision procedure involves cutting the scar out and repairing it with stitches to produce a thinner and less noticeable scar.
Flap surgery: More complex again is flap surgery, which involves the transfer of healthy skin with fat, blood vessels, and in some cases, muscle from the donor site to the required area.
Laser treatment options: Picosure laser treatment uses high energy laser technology to target scars at various depths to break up and remove scar tissue. These laser resurfacing procedures are highly targeted, have no downtime, and virtually no discomfort is felt during the procedure, making them a popular choice.
Microneedling: Microneedling procedures like Vivace treatment are highly effective in reducing acne scars and smaller scars by utilising microneedles to stimulate elastin and collagen
Skin graft: Of all the options, this is the most complex and is usually reserved for scarring over large areas of skin that may be restricted in their movement. The skin grafting procedure involves a piece of unaffected skin known as the donor site placed on an area where scar tissue has been removed.
Z-Plasty or W-Plasty: These two procedures re-align the scar tissue and are often used when a scar lies across the skin's crease or in a situation that may involve burns. Incisions are made in the shape of a "Z" or "W" across the scar, and the lengths of the Z or W are then crossed over, which helps lessen the length of the scar, increases skin mobility and refreshen the tissue around the scar.
Note: While the plastic surgery procedure is referred to as scar removal treatment, it is not possible to remove a scar altogether but rather improve comfort and appearance, making it far less noticeable and easier to conceal.
Common Questions
Scarring from acne can be treated once blemishes are under control, as treatment is not recommended if active acne is present.
After receiving treatment, you may notice a subtle but temporary change in your skin's pigmentation. A cold ice pack will reduce any redness or itching that may occur soon after.
Multiple treatments are needed as collagen remodelling takes time. The exact number will depend on the type of scar, the severity of the scarring, and the level of improvement required.
The aim is a significant improvement, but it's important to understand that the skin will never look 100% again after scarring has formed. You can expect at least a 50% fractional improvement.
Ask about Scar Removal in Melbourne Today
We understand that the presence of a scar can be uncomfortable, cause a lack of confidence, and at times, be a reminder of a painful situation. The staff at Chelsea Cosmetics primarily aim to assist all of our patients in achieving a body they will feel comfortable with.
Our experienced team is on hand to provide the necessary information while answering any questions you may have to ensure that the path forward is positive. Please book an appointment with us today, so we can assess your current situation at the initial consultation and identify the best way to rectify any scarring issues you are concerned about.
Call: (03) 8822 3472 or book here
