Scar Revision & Lesion Removal

Scar Revision

Scar revision is performed to attempt to improve an unacceptable scar. Some scars need to be excised (cut out) and re-sutured in order to improve them. Others can be improved with resurfacing techniques designed to camouflage them. Historically, the technique utilized was called dermabrasion. A small rotary device with a diamond or wire brush is used to “sand” the skin after freezing it with a spray of Ethyl Chloride. The procedure can be done with a local anesthetic with or without IV sedation.

In modern times, surgeons have switched from the dermabrader to the CO2 Laser to perform the scar revision. This technique is referred to cosmetic skin resurfacing (CSR). Scar revision utilizing a laser CSR technique is significantly more precise than other techniques and consistently gives better results than those achieved with other techniques. The procedure can be done with local anesthesia with or without IV sedation.Complications include swelling, bruising, infection, inadequate improvement, hyper/hypo-pigmentation and worsening of the scar.

Skin Lesion Removal

There are many different types of skin lesions that can occur on the face. These can range from simple benign lesions (skin tags, nevi, moles, keratoses, age spots) to pre-malignant and malignant lesions (cancers). It is very important that any suspicious lesion be examined by a dermatologist or a facial plastic surgeon. If a lesion needs removal, it should be done by an expert in facial surgery, the facial plastic surgeon.