Scars after surgery

Each surgical intervention entails a violation of the integrity of the skin. As a result, a suture is formed, which in some cases may have a pronounced cosmetic defect. That is why many patients are interested in the question of how to remove scars after surgery.

Stages of scar formation

Scar formation has several successive stages, which include:

• The stage of scar healing. The healing of the suture after the operation can take up to 10 days. At this time, the wound is connected with the help of granulation tissue, and with the application of force, a divergence of the fused elements may occur. Since bonding occurs by tension.
• The stage of fibrillogenesis and the formation of a fragile suture. It can last up to a month. As a result, the number of vessels decreases, as well as cellular elements and disappear. There is an increase in the number of elastic and collagen fibers. The areas of the scar are connected and can be separated.
• The stage at which a strong scar is formed. The duration of this stage can be up to 3 months. During this period, there is a growth of a dense structure made by connective tissue. The number of vessels in the scar tissue decreases.
• Transformation stage. Its duration can last a year. There is a creation of a high-density scar tissue in which there are no vessels. In the connection of tissues, the cells are denser and it is difficult to separate them. The patient needs to consult with a specialist to decide how to get rid of the scar after surgery.

Postoperative scar care

In order to prevent the formation of rough scars, it is necessary to follow the procedures aimed at proper care from the first days after the operation. Among the main rules are:

• During the first week after the operation, it is required to carry out a daily dressing of the wound with the treatment and application of a sterile napkin. In addition to cotton-gauze napkins, you can use a special plaster.
• In the absence of suppuration or wetting, postoperative scars are treated with a brilliant green solution.
• If the wound begins to turn red, the infiltrate zone is determined or it begins to get wet, the use of agents that have an anti-inflammatory effect is required. Among them, the most popular drug is Levomekol ointment.
• After a week, when the suture material is removed and there are no signs of inflammation, there is no need to apply a dressing. It is necessary to contact a specialist with the question of how and when to remove the stitches after the operation.
• While maintaining the suture material, it is forbidden to allow wetting, as well as to allow contamination of the skin of nearby tissues.
• It is forbidden to use an alcohol solution for the purpose of processing the postoperative suture. This can lead to burning of the exposed surface and increased keloid formation.
• In order to clean the surface of dried blood particles, as well as the remnants of a bandage or gauze. Removing them can cause bruising. That is why, it is necessary to first apply a large amount of hydrogen peroxide, which helps soften the crusts. This will ensure their unimpeded removal from the surface of the wound.

The treatment of the suture after the operation should be carried out using sterile instruments and carefully treated hands.
It is forbidden to reuse the dressing material again, as this can provoke an infection.

Removal Methods

After the interventions, many patients have a question about how to remove the scar after surgery. Currently, there are several different techniques that are widely used by patients. Treatment of scars after surgery includes the following techniques:

Dermabrasion

The procedure for removing scars is hardware. The procedure consists in removing epithermal cells using a cutter. The procedure is one of the most effective, but at the same time it is highly traumatic, since the removal of scar tissue occurs before the papillary layer. During the procedure, the patient may feel severe pain, which requires anesthesia.

Among the indications for the use of this type of scar tissue removal are severe keloid or hypertrophic scars after surgery, as well as retraction of scar tissue with an atrophic scar. The procedure helps to prevent excessive growth of connective tissue structures and helps to restore the skin relief. Healing of scars after surgery can take a long time.

In relation to other methods of removing such tissue, dermabrasion is one of the most effective. But, it should be remembered that it also does not always give a 100% result. Factors such as:

• Fresh scar. Older scars after surgery are more easily subjected to dermabrasion.
• Small areas of scar tissue.
• Small depth of skin lesions.

laser resurfacing

Removal of scars after surgery by laser resurfacing is one of the most effective.
Since, unlike many other methods, it allows you to remove scar tissue of various types. In addition, its implementation is absolutely painless, which does not cause discomfort to the patient. Laser resurfacing is carried out on various surfaces, including areas with soft and thin surrounding skin. The most popular method is used to excise the scar after the removal of moles. During the procedure, there is no dissection of the skin and excision of the scar zone, which prevents the ingress of an infectious agent with subsequent inflammation of the tissue. During the procedure, a thin layer of cream with a moisturizing and light anesthetic effect is first applied to the skin. Next, laser resurfacing is performed directly, the duration of which can be up to an hour. During the procedure, dead cells are removed. Areas with young cells remain unaffected, the laser does not reach the papillary layer, unlike dermabrasion. After the procedure, it is required to apply an ointment with a healing effect based on panthenol to the treated area. Small crusts may appear during the first day, which dry up and fall off on their own. Laser resurfacing will continue for normotopic, hypertrophic, atrophic, and keloid scars.

Cryodestruction

Treatment of postoperative scars by cryodestruction is a less popular procedure for removing scar tissue. Removal of postoperative scars and scars is based on the effect of tissue through liquid nitrogen. It is carried out in the conditions of a cosmetology room, where a specialist applies liquid nitrogen to the flattering of the scar. The procedure is absolutely painless and non-invasive, the risk of infection is minimal. After cryodestruction, blisters may remain on the surface of the scar, which disappear on their own and the tissue is torn off. The tissue is not always rejected after the first application, if necessary, two to four sessions are required. Cryosurgery may not remove scars after large or deep surgery. Before and after its implementation, care procedures are not performed.

Hardware techniques and surgery

In some cases, scarring on the surface of the skin may require invasive removal techniques.
This is especially necessary in cases where scars remain after heavy operations on large areas of the skin. In addition, surgical stress is carried out after healing by the method of secondary intention. These procedures are performed by plastic surgeons. Among the main methods are:

• Plastic surgery with local tissues. To remove the scar, the rough tissue is excised and healthy areas are stretched, which are sutured using a cosmetic suture. A scar remains on the surface of the skin, but it will occupy a smaller area and degree of severity.
• Plastic surgery with expanders. A similar operation is performed if it is necessary to remove a large area of ​​cicatricial changes. An expander is introduced under the skin, which helps to stretch the skin. They help eliminate various processes, including such as getting rid of scars after surgery.
• Plastic surgery through transplantation. After the scar is removed, layer-by-layer splitting of the upper layers of the skin is performed, which ensures a gradual increase in tissue. Removal of postoperative scars is performed under general anesthesia.

Medications

Among the drugs are:

• Diprospan. A glucocorticoid drug is used for various types of scar tissue. Against the background of keloid changes occurring as a result of the reaction of the immune system, Diprospan contributes to the development of an immunosuppressive effect. As a result of its use, the process of formation of kelodid is inhibited and many cosmetic defects are eliminated, including such as removing scars after surgery. The tool is used in injectable form, the drug is injected into the scar area for several days. The best effect is achieved in the early stages of tissue growth after surgery. As the treatment progresses, a change in color occurs with blanching and a decrease in size. Treatment of scars after surgery with Diprospan may not be effective for large lesions.
• Contactubex. The drug, which has a combined composition, contains in its composition components that provide splitting of coarse connective tissue and prevent the inflammatory process with subsequent hypertrophy. Allantoin, which is part of the composition, has a keratolytic effect, heparin splits microthrombi and promotes the launch of fibrinolysis. Bulb extract relieves inflammation. Treatment of postoperative scars is carried out subject to the instructions, according to which it is required to rub the gel for two or three times a day. The duration of application depends on the severity of the process, with fresh scar tissue, application is carried out within a month, old or coarse tissue provides treatment for several months. The maximum duration of application can be one year. Scars after the removal of moles are not recommended to be treated with this remedy.
• Kelofibrase.
  A combined ointment made on the basis of Heparin, urea and D-camphor leads to the resorption of scars after surgery. Urea is the main moisturizing component of the preparation, which prevents skin tightening and the formation of elastic formation. There is also a destruction of tight ties between cells. The tool helps to achieve several effects, including such as speeding up the healing of the suture after surgery. Heparin improves blood circulation, helping to sprout new vessels and provide full trophism. Camphor reduces the inflammatory response and stimulates microcirculation processes. The ointment is applied several times a day, until it is inserted, massage of the area is allowed. The best therapeutic effect is achieved when used early.

Despite the presence of many ways that help hide a cosmetic defect, before removing a postoperative scar, you need to seek help from a specialist. He will decide the question of which is the most appropriate way to choose.

Video: How to remove a scar