Scar Treatment in Lake Oswego, OR

Scars are a very common skin flaw and can be located anywhere on the body. In some cases, a scar is a reminder of a wound that once existed or another condition that caused a disruption to the skin’s surface. While most scars are not an issue, some scars are unappealing and unsightly. They can be too big or too wide, bumpy, dark, raised, or recessed. Depending on where the scar is located and its condition, scar revision surgery may be needed to improve its appearance. If acne scarring is an issue, then laser treatments can also be a viable option. Lake Oswego and Portland, OR plastic surgeon Dr. Mark A. Petroff offers scar revision surgery at Petroff Center and laser treatments at Premier Laser + Skin, which are cosmetic treatments that help reduce the size and improve the appearance of a scar.

Surgical Scar Revision

Scar revision surgery is usually performed within Petroff Center Plastic Surgery and Medi-Spa. Your practitioner will use a local anesthetic or sedation depending on the complexity of the case. Scars that are larger and raised may be reduced in size by utilizing a series of Kenalog injections or a direct excision may be required.  There are several different techniques for surgical scar revision, including an elliptical incision, a W-plasty, or a Z-plasty.  The skin is then re-sutured with a clean, thin line. For scars that exist due to poor closure, this can be a big improvement. Large scars or contracture scars sometimes will require a skin graft or tissue expansion so that the old scar can be removed, allowing healthy skin to be reconnected.

Laser Scar Treatment

In some cases, it’s not the size or shape of the scar that is bothersome but instead the color or texture. There are some effective laser treatment for scars that can lessen the color and visibility of a scar without the need for surgery. At our practice, we use the Halo Hybrid fractional laser to address acne scars and other minor to moderate scarring. During this treatment, the laser handpiece will be set at the appropriate temperature to address your unique needs before being passed over the desired areas to heat up the damaged skin; this will cause collagen production to ignite and allow the skin to heal, lessening the appearance of the blemishes. We may need to perform multiple sessions to achieve the most desirable results.  For moderate to severe scarring, the Lutronic eCO2 fractional ablative laser may be recommended.

There are various types of scars. The type you have can dictate the surgical technique to treat it. The most common scars Dr. Petroff treats are:

• Superficial Scars
  These are the subtlest type of scars. They do not cause any issue other than an unsightly appearance.
• Keloid Scars
  These scars are larger in size and can be sometimes painful. The skin around the scar tends to be discolored and extends beyond the edges of where the wound once existed.
• Hypertrophic Scars
  This type of scar can also be large. They tend to be thicker and grow over time; however, they do not typically extend beyond the wound site.
• Contracture Scars
  This type of scar is considered more complex as it forms over a greater area of skin. A burn is an example of this type of scar. Many times a contracture scar feels tight and also impairs movement in some patients.

If you have an unsightly scar that bothers you, Petroff Center Plastic Surgery / Premier Laser + Skin offer numerous options to make it less noticeable. After assessing the size, shape, depth, and type of scar you have, a revision treatment plan will be created to help minimize its appearance. From surgical scar revision to laser treatments, Dr. Mark A. Petroff can transform the scar area and skin around it for a more normal and natural appearance. We invite you to call Petroff Center Plastic Surgery / Premier Laser + Skin in Lake Oswego, OR to schedule your scar assessment and consultation.