Ways to Reduce Scarring After Surgery

Thursday, 30 October 2014 00:24

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Even those patients who undergo cosmetic surgery should be prepared to discuss the likelihood of scarring with their physician. No matter what the purpose of your surgery there are always potential risks from anesthesia, the surgery itself and scarring.

Before you make the decision to undergo any surgical procedure it is important to discuss your entire health history with Dr. Kimmel. This will allow him to determine if you are at an advanced risk for negative side effects – including scarring. Even the most well-trained and experienced surgeons cannot completely surpass some patients’ likelihood of scarring. By disclosing your entire health history you can help set realistic expectations for your surgical outcome.

Unfortunately, the most common reasons that patients experience excessive surgical scarring are unavoidable. Conditions such as age, race and heredity all impact your scarring capacity. For example African American patients are more likely to form keloid scars on the surface of the skin than Caucasian patients. Additionally, all patients, as they age, lose elastin in their skin making it more likely to scar.

Despite these uncontrollable factors, your likeliness to scar can also be affected by the nature of your surgery. Large incisions, deep incisions, etc. are all more likely to scar than smaller incisions. If you are concerned that you are likely to scar after your surgery be sure to discuss all of your options with Dr. Kimmel, he may be able to suggest alternate locations for your incisions.

Finally, it is important to stop all tobacco use, including smoking prior to undergoing any surgical procedure. The nicotine found in these products restricts the flow of blood to your incision site and can actually cause your surgical incision to blacken or even die.

By understanding your risk factors, discussing your entire health history and adopting healthy habits you are more likely to reduce your chances of excessive scarring after cosmetic surgery. Contact Dr. Robert Kimmel to learn more and schedule your surgical consultation today.