Does liposuction incisions cause scars? | 8 Steps to minimise lipo scarring
What do lipo scars look like? While caring for liposuction incisions and wounds to mitigate scarring seem daunting, the process is easy if you know what to do.
At Amaris B. Clinic, we take a holistic approach to address a wide range of concerns, including nail avulsion and scar revision.
Nail avulsion refers to the loss of a toenail or fingernail due to injuries or trauma. It can be a complete or partial removal of the nail.
Watch out for symptoms such as swelling, discolouration, and bloody crusting around the wound lasting for two to three days. Proper wound care is essential for quick healing and infection prevention.
Signs of infection include pus drainage, red streaks, increased swelling, warmth, pain, swollen lymph nodes, and fever.
Surgical nail avulsion is a procedure to manage this condition, involving either complete removal or repositioning of the nail. It may also include repair of the nail bed.
A partial nail avulsion may be suitable for those with ingrown toenails or fungal infections. Full nail avulsion is recommended in cases of deformed toenails, severe ingrown toenails, or significant trauma to the nail area.
If you have concerns about nail avulsion, consult Dr Ivan Puah for an accurate assessment and appropriate treatment.
Scars are the body's natural response to various skin traumas, from accidents to cuts. When a wound closes, new skin replaces the affected area, resulting in a scar. However, the appearance of scars is influenced by multiple factors, including the original injury's severity, treatment, scar type, location, and genetics.
Composed of fibrous tissues, scars formed due to many reasons. They could result from injuries, infections, surgery or tissue inflammation and can appear anywhere on the body. Scars vary in appearance - some are flat, sunken, bumpy or coloured. They may also be itchy and/or painful.
Scars come in different types, including keloids, hypertrophic scars, contractures and adhesions. Sometimes, abnormal scars are formed after the healing of a wound.
Certain scars can lead to physical deformities, as seen in contracture scars that pull skin edges together, causing tightness. This affects joints, muscles, and tendons, often reducing mobility.
Treatments | HYPERTROPHIC SCARS | KELOIDS |
---|---|---|
Appearance | Typically stays within the wound area | Extends beyond the wound area and can grow very large |
Colour | Pink to red | Red to purple |
Location | Commonly occurs in areas where the skin is taut | Occurs in both areas where the skin is taut or less taut |
Collagen arrangement (microscopically) | Fibres are parallel to the epidermis (upper skin layer) | Fibres are random and disorganised, with more blood vessels present |
Time to develop | One to two months after injury | It can take months or years to develop after an injury |
Treatment needs | Generally becomes less noticeable over time | Does not go away without treatment |
Contracture scar is formed when a large skin area is damaged or lost. This type of scar pulls the skin's edges together, causing tightness. This, in turn, affects the joints, muscles and tendons, typically causing a decrease in movement.
An adhesion scar forms between unconnected internal organs and can cause complications during certain surgeries.
Scars tend to improve in appearance over time. The duration of this improvement varies, ranging from one to two years for some scars and up to three to five years for thicker hypertrophic scars. However, keloids may persist without treatment and may even increase in size.
There are different treatments to minimise scars. The choice depends on several factors such as the patient's age, skin type, scar type and severity and location of the scar. It's important to note that while treatments can improve a scar's appearance, complete elimination is usually not achievable.
Depending on the extent of the scarring and disfigurement, there are non-invasive, injectables and minimally invasive solutions to improve the condition. The list of scar-minimising procedures, include:
Sun-damaged skin, irregular pigmentation (colour) and superficial scars can be treated with chemical peels. The skin's top layer is removed with a chemical application, which improves its appearance as the skin regenerates.
Injectable collagen is often used to treat scars, wrinkles and facial lines. It replaces the loss of the body's natural collagen. Cortisone injections are generally used to soften and shrink hard scars.
As the name suggests, it involves freezing and in this instance, that of the skin's top layer. This causes the area to blister.
It involves removing the top layers of skin. As the skin heals, its surface appears smoother. Dermabrasion is often used to address small scars, minor skin surface inconsistencies, and surgical and acne scars.
Punch grafts can be used to treat deep acne scars. During the procedure, the hole is punched in the skin to remove the scar, and it is then replaced with skin, commonly from the back of the earlobe. It is considered a small skin grafting procedure.
This procedure aims to create a less noticeable scar. The original scar is surgically removed, and the skin is rejoined. The procedure is done on scars that are wide and long or those that heal in an unusual way. It is also used on scars that appear in highly visible places.
Aside from wrinkles, laser resurfacing may also be used to treat hypertrophic scars. The procedure uses high-energy light to burn away damaged skin.
Scar revision surgery takes about one to two hours in most cases. Depending on their size and location, some types of scars may take longer as they require extensive revision and tissue repositioning.
Scars cannot be removed completely. The available procedures are to help in lessening its appearance. Discussing with a doctor will help alleviate concerns and form a realistic expectation.
Does the nail grow back after nail avulsion?
Fingernails that have been removed completely usually take about SIX months to grow back, while toenails may take between 12 to 18 months. The affected nails may look different when they grow back as a result of the injury suffered. Nails have been observed to grow back.
When should you get a scar revision?
Over time scars shrink and become less noticeable, so ideally, an individual can wait until it lightens in colour before opting for the procedure. This can take anywhere between months to a year after the wound has healed. Some scars may require a scar revision surgery after 60 to 90 days they have healed. It is best to seek a doctor's advice in regards.
What should a scar look like after 6 months?
The scar will be slightly elevated than the surrounding skin. Its colour and volume will also decrease during the healing process, typically lasting between three and six months. After which, the scar will gradually become paler and softer.
Recovery from scar revision surgery
Do follow all advice the doctor gives and remember to avoid sun exposure for at least 12 months. Many factors contribute to the healing rate, and the doctor will advise a patient regarding this.
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.