Scar Treatment - Scar Revision in Berlin
When the skin is injured by operations, accidents, or diseases, the body performs repair work. However, due to healing disorders and larger wounds, more or less pronounced scars can form. Scars can be painful or lead to functional limitations. If they are located on visible body parts, affected individuals often feel psychologically burdened. In my specialist practice for plastic-aesthetic surgery in Berlin, I also offer scar revisions to my patients. Depending on the condition and appearance of the scar, I use different therapeutic procedures. It is important to me that you feel comfortable in your body again without restrictions through the treatment and thus gain an all-round positive quality of life.
Scar Revision and Scar Treatment - for Beauty and Quality of Life
After operations, injuries, or burns, scars often form. Some diseases, such as acne, also frequently leave permanent marks on the skin. For many affected individuals, scars are primarily an aesthetic problem - they can significantly reduce self-confidence and quality of life. However, there are also scars that cause pain, tension, or lead to restricted mobility. If scar-related complaints and aesthetic impairments do not significantly improve with conservative treatment, a plastic-aesthetic scar revision can provide a sustainable solution.
Scar: What is a scar and the possibilities of scar revision
Scars result from the natural wound healing process after skin injuries. If the vascular connective tissue is destroyed by the injury, the skin is unable to regenerate with equivalent new cells. Instead, it builds up substitute tissue that is particularly fibrous and less elastic than the original skin tissue.
Poor tissue: the scar and the change in the skin
Scar tissue has poorer blood circulation and is unable to form hair, sweat, or sebaceous glands. Its pigmentation also differs from the surrounding healthy skin. At the same time, every scar is different: scars protrude above the healthy skin, are pulled inwards, form depressions, or consist of proliferating tissue. Factors that influence the appearance of scars, in addition to the causative injury, include their location, genetic factors, or wound healing disorders.
Scar Treatment: how can a scar be treated?
The therapeutic approach used for scar revision depends on the type and extent of the scar. In my specialist practice for plastic-aesthetic surgery, I use the following procedures, for example:
- Surgical removal of scars
- Mitigate scars with lasers (laser therapy)
- Scar correction with medical needling and micro needling
- Scar injection with cortisone (cortisone injection)
- Scar treatment with autologous fat (lipofilling) or fillers (such as hyaluronic acid).
What results can be achieved with scar correction?
Depending on the type and extent of the scar, scar correction significantly reduces its appearance and visibility. Superficial scars can be completely removed (scar removal). Since scar correction is an invasive procedure, the final result will only be visible after the completion of the renewed wound healing process.
Scar correction in my practice in Berlin for aesthetic surgery - individual consultation and care
The first step to scar correction in my specialist practice for plastic-aesthetic surgery in Berlin consists of a detailed individual consultation. I examine the scars to be treated and suggest the optimal therapy procedure for you, explain the course of the procedure as well as the expected result and address possible limitations and risks of the treatment. If it is possible due to the nature of the scar, I generally choose a minimally invasive therapy approach. For me, a naturally looking result based on medical and aesthetic excellence is important for scar correction.
How does a scar correction procedure work?
The specific course of a scar correction depends on the chosen therapy procedure. Before the start of the procedure, I will again discuss the respective treatment. You have the opportunity to clarify any remaining questions. Subsequently, the treatment area is disinfected and a local anesthetic or general anesthesia is performed.
With the exception of major operations, no inpatient stay is required (scar correction under local anesthesia). After minimally invasive procedures, you are often able to work and socialize again on the same day or at the latest after 24 hours.
Scar treatment: what are the risks of scar correction?
If scar correction is performed by an experienced plastic-aesthetic surgeon, only very low risks are associated with it. However, as with any operation, undesirable side effects - such as secondary bleeding, swelling, bruising, wound healing disorders or intolerance reactions - cannot be completely ruled out with such a procedure.
Painkillers and sleeping pills as well as blood-thinning medications must be discontinued one week before the procedure. You should reduce the consumption of nicotine and alcohol as much as possible during this time or, ideally, refrain from it completely.
If additional active ingredients - for example, fillers or cosmeceuticals in a laser treatment - are used during scar correction, these are either natural active ingredients or substances that are subject to the same approval requirements that also apply to medicines. During the consultation before the procedure, I will also ask you some questions about known allergies and other intolerance reactions.
Aftercare: what do I have to do after a scar correction?
Post-treatment after scar correction also depends on the type of procedure. In the first few days, physical rest is important. Swelling and bruising usually disappear after a short time, which you can support by cooling. If skin incisions were necessary, the sutures can be removed after 14 days at the latest. Until then, you should avoid saunas, solariums, massages, or cosmetic treatments and direct sun exposure. After a LaseMD, an ablation of scar tissue through needling and scar injections, you should protect the treated area from direct sun exposure and UV light for four weeks.
When should scar correction be performed?
For scar correction to be performed, the healing process of the injured skin area must be completely finished. This usually requires a period of six months to one year. The decision as to when the procedure is possible can only be made individually.
Does health insurance cover the costs of scar correction?
The costs for scar correction are only reimbursed by health insurance companies if there is a medical or psychological indication. However, most scar corrections are classified as purely aesthetically induced, so cost reimbursement is not an option.
Frequently asked questions about scar treatment
Scar correction is suitable for all patients who feel restricted in their body image by a scar or suffer from physical discomfort due to scar tissue.
Every scar is different. Scar tissue is formed in a specific way after an operation or skin injury. The therapy method is therefore adapted to the characteristics of the scar to be treated. If possible, I will always choose a minimally invasive approach for scar correction in my practice.
General anesthesia is only recommended if scar correction involves a major surgical procedure, in order to minimize the physical and emotional burden on the patient. For minimally invasive procedures, local anesthesia is usually completely sufficient to reliably eliminate pain. In addition, you will receive a light sedative before the procedure, which will put you into a twilight sleep.
LaseMD is an innovative laser procedure in which laser beams create the finest microchannels in the upper skin layers. High-quality cosmeceuticals - such as vitamin C or vitamin A (retinol) - are introduced into these channels, which diffuse into deeper skin layers and develop a long-term effect for skin regeneration there. Smaller superficial scars can completely disappear with this treatment.
Microneedling is also used for scar correction to treat light, superficial scars. Needling causes micro-injuries that activate the skin's natural regeneration and healing process. Needling - like LaseMD - is very successful for acne scars, among others. The treatment also makes the overall skin appearance more even and smoother.
Cortisone injections are particularly suitable for treating so-called hypertrophic scars that protrude beyond the healthy skin. This is almost always due to an excessive formation of collagen, which causes the bulky appearance of such scars. Cortisone restricts collagen formation, so that the scar becomes significantly flatter and softer.
How is scar correction performed?
I would be happy to advise you without obligation on which scar treatment is best suited for you. A removal of the scar or an improvement of the scar. Together we will find a solution for your individual needs.