Scar Revision

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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What do I need to know about scar revision?

Scar revision is surgery to improve the look of one or more scars. Scar revision may also help correct or fix a painful or disfiguring scar. You will still have a scar, but it will look smoother and less visible. Your surgeon may use one or more types of scar revision to improve the look of your scar.

How do I prepare for scar revision surgery?

Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. Your provider will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery. You may be given an antibiotic through your IV to help prevent a bacterial infection.

What will happen during scar revision surgery?

• You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may instead be given local anesthesia to numb the surgery area. With local anesthesia, you may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery, but you should not feel any sharp pain.
• Your surgeon may make an incision around the scar to remove it. Several incisions near or on your scar may be made instead in a certain pattern. This pattern helps to form a less visible scar. Your surgeon may also remove or move scar tissue. The incisions will then be closed with stitches and the area will be covered with a bandage.

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What will happen after scar revision surgery?

You may have swelling, bruising, skin color changes, pain, or discomfort in the surgery area. These may last for 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery. You may not see improvement in the look of your scar for some time. It can take up to year for your new scar to fully heal and fade.

What are the risks of scar revision surgery?

You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Your skin may be sensitive in the area where the surgery was done. Nerves or blood vessels near your scar may be damaged during the surgery. The final look of your scar may be different than you expected. You may need other surgeries or procedures to further improve the look of your scar. You may get a blood clot in your limb. This may become life-threatening.

What are other types of scar revision?

• Dermabrasion is a procedure to remove the upper layers of a raised scar with a wire brush or other device. Local anesthesia may be used. This procedure can help to smooth out the surface of the scar so it blends with your surrounding skin. New skin will grow over the area.
• Lasers and light treatments are procedures that change the surface of your skin. New, healthy skin forms at the scar site after this treatment.
• Topical treatments and injections may be used to improve the look of a scar. Topical treatments may include silicone gels, tape, or compression. Injections may be used to shrink or fill a scar. An example is steroid medicine that is injected to shrink a scar. More than one injection is usually needed.

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