A patient at Parkwood Skin Clinic has a stretch mark on her shoulder.

Parkwood skin clinic

Scar Revision & Management

Scars often carry more than just a physical mark—they can hold emotional weight, serving as reminders of past injuries, surgeries, or challenging experiences. At Parkwood Skin Clinic, we understand that living with a visible or uncomfortable scar can affect your confidence and quality of life. Our compassionate team is here to guide you through the scar revision journey with empathy and personalized care. We recognize that every scar tells a unique story, and our goal is to help you feel more comfortable in your own skin while honoring your individual experience. With advanced techniques and a caring approach, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve the smooth, natural-looking results you deserve.

hypertrophic scar on the tummy

understanding scar revision

A scar is a natural part of the body’s healing process after an injury, surgery, or trauma to the skin. When the skin is damaged, the body produces collagen fibers to repair the area, resulting in a mark that can differ in texture, color, and appearance from the surrounding skin. Scars can vary widely, from flat and faint lines to raised, thickened areas such as hypertrophic scars or keloids, or even sunken scars like those caused by acne or burns.

The appearance of a scar depends on factors such as the severity of the wound, the location on the body, the individual’s skin type, and how well the wound healed. While scars are a normal part of healing, they can sometimes cause physical discomfort, restricted movement, or emotional distress, particularly if they are in visible areas. Treatment options like scar revision aim to improve their appearance and, in some cases, restore function to the affected area.

three step technique

The three-step technique for scar management focuses on a comprehensive approach targeting all layers of the skin to deliver optimal and lasting results. It consists with:

Scar improvement

collagen remodeling

volume restoration

types of scars

Scars come in many forms, each with its own unique characteristics. Hypertrophic scars are raised scars that form within the boundaries of the original wound, often appearing thick but not spreading beyond the injury site. In contrast, keloid scars are overgrown scars that extend beyond the wound’s edges, creating thick, raised areas that can be uncomfortable or cosmetically concerning. On the other hand, atrophic scars are sunken or depressed, commonly seen after acne or chickenpox, where the skin’s healing response results in a loss of tissue.

Other types of scars include contracture scars, which can tighten the skin and sometimes restrict movement, typically occurring after severe burns. Meanwhile, stretch marks are a form of scarring caused by rapid skin stretching due to growth spurts, pregnancy, or significant weight changes. Though these scars may vary in appearance and impact, each carries its own story, and modern treatments offer options to reduce their visibility and help individuals feel more comfortable in their skin.

Scar revision techniques

Scar revision involves various techniques designed to improve the appearance of scars, restore functionality, and blend them more naturally with surrounding skin. The choice of technique depends on the type, size, location, and severity of the scar, as well as the patient’s skin type and goals. Common scar revision techniques include:

surgical excision

  • This method involves removing the scar tissue and closing the wound with fine sutures, often creating a smaller, less noticeable scar.
  • Ideal for larger or raised scars like hypertrophic or keloid scars

laser therapy

  • Laser treatments, such as fractional CO2 or pulsed dye lasers, target the scar to resurface the skin, reduce redness, and improve texture.
  • Effective for acne scars, stretch marks, and other uneven scars.

steroid injections

Corticosteroid injections can flatten and soften raised scars, such as keloids or hypertrophic scars

subincision

A minimally invasive procedure that releases fibrous bands pulling the skin downward, improving the appearance of depressed scars.

Chemical Peel

Chemical peels are an effective treatment for managing scars, including acne scars and other textural irregularities. By applying a specialised solution to the skin, the peel works to gently exfoliate the outer layers, encouraging the removal of damaged skin cells and stimulating collagen production in deeper layers. 

microneedling

Highly effective treatment for scar management, particularly for acne scars and surgical scars. This minimally invasive procedure uses fine needles to create tiny, controlled micro-injuries on the skin’s surface. These micro-injuries stimulate the skin’s natural healing process, boosting collagen and elastin production, which are essential for repairing and smoothing scar tissue.

regenerative medicine

Regenerative medicine plays a vital role in scar revision by leveraging the body’s natural healing processes to repair and rejuvenate damaged tissue. Techniques such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy  stimulates collagen production, enhance cellular regeneration, and improve skin elasticity, helping scars blend more seamlessly with surrounding skin. By promoting the growth of healthy tissue, regenerative medicine not only reduces the visibility of scars but also improves the overall texture and quality of the skin, offering a minimally invasive and effective solution for long-term scar improvement

the challenge of Acne Scars

Treating acne scars presents a unique challenge due to the variety of atrophic scar types—ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars—each with distinct characteristics requiring tailored approaches. Ice pick scars are narrow, deep, and extend into the skin, making them resistant to surface treatments and often requiring targeted procedures like TCA cross (trichloroacetic acid application) or microneedling. Boxcar scars are broader with sharp edges and are best addressed with fractional resurfacing lasers or chemical peels to rebuild collagen and smooth their defined borders. Rolling scars, which are shallow and wavy, result from tethering in the skin’s deeper layers and often need subcision to release the underlying tissue, combined with skin-smoothing treatments like microneedling or radiofrequency.

Achieving a pleasing resurfacing outcome for acne scars typically requires combination treatments and a series of sessions. No single treatment modality can effectively address all scar types, so our approach often blends therapies such as laser resurfacing, microneedling, subcision, and chemical peels. The skin’s natural repair processes take time, meaning multiple sessions are needed to gradually build collagen, improve texture, and create lasting results. Patients must also have realistic expectations, as complete scar removal is rare; however, significant improvement in the skin’s appearance is achievable with a personalized treatment plan and consistent care.

Our core Technique For Acne Scars

Achieving smooth, even skin after atrophic acne scars requires a comprehensive and strategic approach. At Parkwood Skin Clinic, we have developed a core technique that addresses every aspect of scar repair, ensuring optimal results and a natural finish. Our process involves four key phases:

Treatment of the base

We begin by addressing the underlying issue of atrophic scars, such as tethering or volume loss, to release the scarred tissue and restore volume, creating a smoother foundation.

Sculpting of the Borders

For well-defined edges like those seen in boxcar scars, we focus on softening and sculpting the borders using methods like microneedling or fractional lasers, ensuring a more seamless transition to the surrounding skin.

Resurfacing of the Skin

we target the overall skin texture with resurfacing techniques such as chemical peels, microneedling, or CO2 lasers to encourage collagen regeneration and even out the surface.

Blending

we ensure that the treated areas blend naturally with the surrounding skin through light treatments, like PRP or dermaplaning, promoting uniform tone and texture for a polished, rejuvenated appearance.

microneedling and PRP

The Balance Between Gentle Light Treatments and Intensive Procedures

 

Microneedling combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) strikes the perfect balance between gentle light treatments and more intensive procedures for addressing atrophic scars, such as acne scars. This innovative combination is minimally invasive, requiring little downtime, yet it delivers significant results by stimulating the skin’s natural healing processes.

Microneedling creates micro-injuries in the skin, promoting collagen and elastin production to smooth and repair scarred tissue. When enhanced with PRP, which is derived from the patient’s own blood, the treatment becomes even more powerful. PRP contains growth factors that accelerate healing, boost collagen production, and improve overall skin quality. This synergy makes microneedling with PRP an ideal middle ground—it’s less aggressive than laser resurfacing but more impactful than light treatments alone, offering a safe and effective way to achieve smoother, rejuvenated skin.

the ideal candidate

Scar revision is suitable for individuals who want to improve the appearance, texture, or functionality of a scar that has healed but remains noticeable or problematic. Ideal candidates are:

1.  People with scars from surgery, trauma, burns, or acne.

2. Those experiencing discomfort, restricted movement, or reduced confidence due to their scar.

3. Individuals in good overall health, free from infections or conditions that may impair healing.

4. Patients with realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcomes.

keloid scar on the arm

risks & complications

Scar revision is generally safe when performed by a skilled professional, but like any medical procedure, it carries potential risks and complications. Scarring itself is a common concern, as the process may replace one scar with another, though the new scar is often smaller and less noticeable. In some cases, individuals prone to keloids or hypertrophic scars may develop raised or thickened scars after revision. Infection at the treatment site is another possible complication, though this is rare and typically preventable with proper wound care.

Other risks include skin discoloration, such as hyperpigmentation (darkening) or hypopigmentation (lightening), particularly in individuals with darker skin tones. Prolonged redness, swelling, or sensitivity may occur during the healing process, and in rare instances, complications such as wound dehiscence (reopening of the incision) or nerve damage can arise, especially in areas with delicate tissue. To minimize these risks, it’s essential to follow all pre- and post-procedure instructions and to choose an experienced practitioner for your care. Regular follow-up appointments can ensure proper healing and optimal results.

keloid scar chest

Key Considerations

 Scar revision improves the appearance of scars but doesn’t completely erase them.

Results depend on factors like the scar’s type, size, location, and the patient’s healing process.

Gradual improvement is expected, and some scars may require multiple treatments for the best results.

crafting your scar revision treatment

At Parkwood Skin Clinic, crafting your scar revision journey with Dr. Gilles Laur is a highly personalized and thoughtful process. Dr. Laur takes the time to thoroughly assess your scar, considering its type, size, location, and impact on your confidence or comfort. During your initial consultation, he listens carefully to your concerns and goals, ensuring that every detail of your treatment is tailored to your unique needs. Whether it’s a surgical scar, acne mark, or burn scar, Dr. Laur utilizes advanced techniques to improve its appearance and texture while preserving the health of your skin. This individualized approach ensures that you feel empowered and confident in your treatment plan.

The scar revision process at Parkwood Skin Clinic is guided by both expertise and care, offering a range of innovative treatments such as laser therapy, surgical revision, and regenerative options like PRP. Dr. Laur’s goal is not only to improve the scar but also to restore your confidence and comfort. Throughout your journey, the clinic provides a supportive and professional environment, with clear communication about what to expect at each step. With Dr. Laur’s skill and dedication, your scar revision is not just about treatment—it’s about achieving results that enhance both your appearance and self-esteem.

We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way

over 15 years of medical experience