Introduction to Scar Revision

Scars, whether they’re caused by accidents or by surgery, are unpredictable. How a scar develops depends as much on how your body heals as it does on the original injury or the surgeon’s skills. Many variables can affect the severity of scarring, including the size and depth of the wound, the blood supply to the area, the thickness and color of your skin, and the direction of the scar. How much the appearance of a scar bothers you is, of course, a personal matter, and we are here to help.

Dr. Nicholas Nikolov provides Scar Revision for Beverly Hills & Los Angeles patients interested in diminishing such scars that have caused discomfort mentally and physically. Below, we’ve included our guide to the procedure to see if Scar Revision is the right procedure for you; if you have questions or would like to book a consultation, please contact us today!

Woman touching hair | Scar Revision | Dr. Nikolov

What is Scar Revision?

You don’t have to live with the scars that cause discomfort any longer. Dr. Nikolov and his highly skilled team are here to help you understand Scar Revision and if you are the best candidate moving forward with this popular treatment. Scar Revision is best understood by the different scars that form, as each occurrence may require a different approach to the procedure. Upon a scheduled consultation, Dr. Nikolov will evaluate your scar and the thickness, color, and elasticity of your surrounding skin. Once assessed, our highly skilled team will decide the best treatments to treat your scar. Improving the appearance of a scar could involve the injection or application of certain steroid medications or surgical procedures known as scar revision.

These successful Scar treatments can include:

Skin Grafting: improves the function of a scarred area. However, it is vital to note that transferred skin may not precisely match the color and texture of the surrounding skin.

Flap Surgery: A modern complex surgical procedure in which skin, along with the underlying fat, blood vessels, and sometimes the muscle, is moved from a healthy body part that contains a scar.

Z-plasty: A popular surgical technique that makes a scar less visible by changing its direction so that it more closely works to the natural lines and creases of the skin.

Many of our patients seek the reduction of prominent facial scars. The face area can be approached in several ways, such as dermabrasion and Z-plasty. The simplest form of making a facial scar less visible is by cutting out the scar and closing the incision with tiny stitches, leaving a thinner, less visible scar. Dr. Nikolov takes pride in state-of-the-art equipment and decades of experience regarding the right kind of Scar Revision for you.

What are the Benefits of Scar Revision?

Scar Revision has many benefits, and the treatment type can do a lot for anyone self-conscious about a scar in a specific place on the body. Scar Revision provides a safe and successful surgery to improve or reduce the appearance of pesky scars. It also restores function and corrects skin changes (disfigurement) caused by an injury, wound, poor healing, or previous surgery. The benefit of Scar Revision from The Nikolov Center for Plastic Surgery is a significantly increased quality of life, brought about by lessened pain and increased movement.

Woman hand on hip | Scar Revision | Dr. Nikolov

What’s the First Step?

If you’re bothered by a scar, your first step should be to consult Dr. Nikolov. After examination, we will discuss the possible methods of treating your type of scar, the risks and benefits involved, and the possible outcomes the procedure can provide. We ask you to be frank in discussing your expectations with Dr. Nikolov and make sure they’re realistic. Don’t hesitate to ask inquiries or express concerns; we are here to help in every way possible. Clarity is the best step forward.

Before you schedule your Scar Revision, you must meet or schedule an appointment with Dr. Nikolov. We will review your medical history, final desired look, and other details to ensure you are prepared for optimal Scar Revision treatment or surgery. Many questions can arise with Scars and the treatment for them. Dr. Nikolov and our team are here to provide the answers and clarity on all steps forward.

What to Expect on the Day of Scar Revision

Before Dr. Nikolov begins the Scar Revision procedure, you will need anesthesia. Depending on the procedure, you may only require local anesthesia or can be awake during the treatment. On the day of your Scar Revision, we aim to make you feel as confident and comfortable as possible. Below is a breakdown of the types of scars that Dr. Nikolov can treat and what you can expect on the day of your Revision for that specific type of scar.

Keloid Scars:

Keloids can appear anywhere on the body. They occur more often in dark-skinned types and are most common over the breastbone, earlobes, and shoulders. Scar Revision Surgery for a Keloid Scar is usually treated by injecting a steroid medication directly into the scar tissue to reduce redness, itching, and burning. In some cases, this will also shrink the scar.

If steroid treatment is inadequate, the scar tissue can be cut out and the wound closed with one or more layers of stitches. This is generally an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia.

Hypertrophic Scars:

Hypertrophic scars are often confused with keloids since both tend to be thick, red, and raised. Hypertrophic scars, however, remain within the boundaries of the original incision or wound. They often improve on their own-though it may take a year or more-or with the help of steroid applications or injections.

If you have a Hypertrophic scar, Dr. Nikolov will remove excess scar tissue during the Scar Revision and may re-position the incision so that it heals in a less visible pattern. On the day of this surgery, you may be under local or general anesthesia, depending on the scar’s location and what you and Dr. Nikolov decide is the best approach. You may also receive steroid injections during surgery.

Contractures:

Burns or other injuries resulting in the loss of a large area of skin may form a scar that pulls the edges of the skin together, a process called contraction. The resulting contracture may affect the adjacent muscles and tendons, restricting normal movement. Your Scar Revision may involve correcting a contracture, which requires cutting out the scar and replacing it with a skin graft or a flap. In some cases, a procedure known as Z-plasty (discussed above) may be used.

Facial Scars:

Facial Scars require extra attention and precision on the day of the procedure. Often they are cut out and closed with tiny stitches, leaving a thinner, less noticeable scar. If the scar lies across the natural skin creases (or “lines of relaxation”), Dr. Nikolov may be able to re-position it to run parallel to these lines, where it will be less conspicuous or noticeable.

Your available treatment options on the day of your procedure will depend on the location and type of your scar. One this remains constant on this day is our patient’s comfort and safety. We can’t wait to make the day of your Scar Revision a reality, offering you a more comfortable and confident future.

Who are the Best Candidates for Scar Revision?

If you have found this page, you’ve probably considered yourself a good candidate for Scar Revision. We are here to offer you an aesthetically driven path that you may not have even known was possible when it comes to scaring. Dr. Nikolov and his highly skilled team believe when it comes to Scar Revision, you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any ideal image, and most importantly—you deserve it. You may be the perfect candidate for Scar Revision at The Nikolov Center for Plastic Surgery if:

  • You are bothered by a scar anywhere on your body
  • You are physically healthy
  • You do not smoke
  • You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for your scar revision surgery
  • You do not have active acne or other skin diseases in the area to be treated

Let’s get you one step closer to the solution you have been searching for, Scar Revision begins with a consultation, and we can’t wait to see you.

Woma on Phone | Scar | Dr. Nikolov
Blonde woman | Scar Revision | Dr. Nikolov

Scar Revision Recovery

After your Scar Revision, Dr. Nikolov and our team will provide detailed instructions for a speedy recovery; this healing process is critical to your new results. You may have swelling, bruising, skin color changes, pain, or discomfort in the surgery area; this is natural. It’s important to understand that it takes time to see the improvement of a scar after procedures. In many cases, it can take up to a year for your new scar to fully heal and fade. Dr. Nikolov will advise you on gradually resuming your everyday activities and will put together a safe and effective recovery timeline to understand the steps needed forward.

How Much Does Scar Revision Cost in Beverly Hills?

The cost of a Scar Revision in Beverly Hills can and will vary from patient to patient and be affected mainly by the number of sessions you need to determine the best procedure moving forward with the revision. In many cases, if Scar Revision is performed to minimize scarring from an injury or to improve your ability to function, it may be at least partially covered with insurance. After consulting with one of our technicians, we will provide you with an analysis of pricing for your treatment based on the needs of the procedure and care.

We look forward to getting this conversation started with clarity so that you can be one step closer to your Scar Revision reality.

Why Choose Dr. Nikolov?

It’s easy to feel hopeless when it comes to scarring; we’re here to help you realize Scar Revision can be possible. Dr. Nikolov is world-renowned for his keen aesthetic sense that emphasizes aesthetic harmony and subtle changes to create a fresh appearance, especially regarding scarring. He uses his skills to help every patient understand the process and enhance their natural beauty.

As a leader in the field of plastic surgery for more than twenty years, Dr. Nikolov has consulted for television programs and publications and has been featured on CNN, CBS, NBC, and the Discovery Health Channel. He has published and lectured extensively in his field and often hosts other doctors to help them learn about his techniques and procedures.

“My goal is to help all those under my care achieve better harmony, feel youthful, and gain more confidence in their appearance while retaining a natural look.” — Dr. Nikolov

Get in Touch

A Scar Revision procedure may be what you’ve been waiting for, and our team is thrilled to get this process from pipedream to reality. You don’t have to live with facial or body complications if you don’t want to. Request a consultation through our website, and one of our team members will quickly get in touch with you, or call us today at (310) 247-1932 There are many ways this necessary surgery could positively impact your life; we can’t wait to hear from you.

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