Scar Revision

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What Is Scar Revision?

Scar revision is a treatment that improves the appearance of a scar. Scars are part of how your body heals. Sometimes scars don’t heal the way you want them to. A scar might be large, raised, painful, or affect how you move. Some people also feel self-conscious about how a scar looks.

Scar revision won’t remove a scar completely, but it can make it less noticeable. Sometimes it can also help the scarred area work or feel better. At University of Utah Health, our providers improve scars, so you feel better and more confident.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Scar Revision?

Not all scars need treatment, but scar revision can make a big difference for some people. You might be a good candidate if your scar causes pain, emotional distress, or other problems:

  • You don’t like how your scar looks.

  • Your scar didn’t heal well after an injury or surgery.

  • Your scar hurts or pulls on your skin.

  • Your scar is raised, wide, or discolored.

  • Your scar is fully healed (about 8–12 months old).

Treatment might not be for you if you have skin or connective tissue conditions. Scar revision could make these conditions worse.   

Common Scar Types That Revision Helps  

Scars can look and feel different depending on where they are on your body and how they formed. Some scars are wide, thick, sunken, or raised. Others may pull on the skin or limit how you move.

Depending on the typical color of your skin, you may be prone to forming hyperpigmented (darkened) scars or scars that are more reddish or purple. This may also impact what non-surgical options are available to you.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Scar Revision

Tummy tucks (also called abdominoplasty) are surgeries that remove extra skin and fat from the belly. These scars are usually long and low on the stomach. If the area didn’t heal well after surgery, the scar might stretch, become thick, or feel tight. Scar revision can improve the appearance and function of a tummy tuck scar.

C-section Scar Revision

A C-section scar forms after delivering a baby through cesarean surgery. Sometimes, this scar heals unevenly or causes a “shelf”—a small overhang of skin above the scar. The scar may also be stuck to deeper tissue underneath. Scar revision can release tight spots and smooth the area, helping clothes fit better and reducing pain or pulling.

Facial Scar Revision

Scars on the face can be hard to hide and may change how you feel about your appearance. These scars might come from cuts, burns, acne, or previous surgeries. It’s important to handle these scars with care because facial skin moves a lot (like when you talk, eat, or smile). Facial scar revision uses gentle techniques to improve how these scars blend in with the rest of your skin. Seeking care from a surgeon with specialty training in craniofacial or facial aesthetic surgery may improve your chances of a good outcome.

Lip Scar Revision

Lip scars are small but can affect your smile or how you speak. These areas often need very precise treatment to keep the natural shape and function of the lips. Lip scar revision can improve the appearance of your lips.

Scar Revision Near Me

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Scar Revision Techniques   

Scar revision can involve laser treatment, massage, or other non-or minimally invasive techniques. Some types of scar revision may require surgery. Your provider will tell you which method works best for your goals.

Scar Revision Surgery

Your provider will work with you to decide on the best procedure for you. We provide several types of surgeries, depending on your needs:

  • Excision and closure—We remove the old scar and carefully close the skin to create a thinner, smoother scar. We may use tissue below the scar to fill in any contour irregularities or combine the excision and closure with fat grafting.

  • Skin grafting—This option is used most commonly when a tight scar is causing a functional problem and cosmetic outcomes are less important. After releasing or cutting away the old scar, we take healthy skin from another part of your body and place it in the wound bed.

  • Tissue expansion—We place a small balloon under the skin near the scar and slowly fill it with fluid. Once the skin stretches, we use it to replace the scarred area. Tissue expansion is commonly used for functional scars. The goal of tissue expansion is not focused on improving the appearance of a scar. 

  • Local Tissue Rearrangement

 Scar Revision Non-Surgical Techniques

Not all scars need surgery. Many can be improved with non-surgical treatments. Depending on the type, size, and location of your scar, your provider may recommend non-surgical options:

  • Chemical peels or dermabrasion—These treatments remove the outer layer of skin to help smooth and fade surface-level scars.

  • Injections—Steroid or filler injections can reduce raised scars or improve the appearance of depressed or indented scars.

  • Laser therapy—Laser treatments can smooth texture, reduce redness, and help scars blend in better with the surrounding skin.

  • Massage—Gentle rubbing or professional massage can help soften and flatten a scar.

  • Microneedling—This technique uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen and improve the texture and appearance of scars.

  • Topical treatments—Creams, gels, or silicone sheets help soften and flatten certain types of scars, especially if used early.

  • Time and sun care—Protecting a scar from the sun and giving it time to heal improves its appearance.

Scar Revision Cost

Your provider will go over the expected costs and options during your consultation. Scar revision surgery cost can vary based on several factors:

  • Additional treatments, such as fat grafting

  • Size, type, and location of your scar

  • Type of anesthesia or numbing medicine used

  • Where the procedure is done (in office or operating room)

Is Scar Revision Covered by Insurance?

Insurance may not cover scar revision if it’s for looks only. If your scar causes pain or limits how you move, some plans may help with the cost. Your U of U Health care coordinator can check your insurance and explain your options.

What to Expect at Your Scar Revision Procedure

At your first visit, you can expect to talk about your scar history, medical conditions, and the medications you take. You will have time to talk about your goals and expectations for your scar. You and your provider will decide what procedure best meets your needs.

If you need scar revision surgery, it may happen in the office or an operating room:

  • In-office scar revision surgery involves your provider using a local anesthetic to numb the area. You will be awake for this procedure.

  • Operating room scar revision surgery means you will be given general anesthesia. This means you will sleep through the procedure.

Your provider cuts and removes your scar and nearby tissue. The skin is gently stitched closed. In some procedures, your surgeon uses some fat or muscle from your body to fill any gaps.

Scar Revision Healing Stages

When your skin is injured, whether from trauma or surgery, your body wants to stop the bleeding. Your body's goal is to close any open wounds and defend against infection. The processes are complex, but a key step is collagen. Collagen is a strong protein that can reconnect the damaged tissue.

The collagen is often dense and unorganized. As scars mature, the collagen changes and becomes more organized. This leads to less noticeable scars. This process can take a year or longer, depending on your specific circumstances. This is also a key reason to wait for the scar to finish maturing before any revision surgery. Most scars often look better with time alone.

Ongoing bleeding, infection, or large gaps in tissue can affect the final apperance of your scar. Other factors such as repeat trauma, tension, and UV light exposure can also change how your scar heals. It’s important to follow your surgeon’s guidance to have the best chance of a good outcome.

You can expect healing from scar revision surgery to take about 12 months:

  •  Weeks 1–2—Keep the area clean. Follow your provider’s instructions and don’t pick at the scab.

  • Weeks 3–6—You likely no longer need to clean and cover your scar as it heals. Avoid sun exposure and always use sunscreen.

  • After six weeks—Your skin edges should become securely attached and have no more scabbing along the incision. Your surgeon may recommend gentle scar massage, silicone sheets, or both. Silicone sheets can help flatten, soften, and fade scars.

  • After 12 months—Your scar is considered fully healed. It may continue to fade and soften over time. Talk to your provider if you’re still unhappy with how it looks.

Why Choose University of Utah Health?

Even a simple scar revision can lead to meaningful improvements in your appearance and confidence. At U of U Health, you’re in skilled hands. We work with dermatologists and other experts to give you the most complete care. Every scar is different. We help many patients with challenging or hard-to-treat scars. We tailor your treatment to your goals and needs. We also use techniques that support healing for the best possible appearance post-procedure.

Make an Appointment

At U of U Health, we take scar care seriously—because how you feel in your skin matters. You can schedule a consultation without a referral. To make an appointment, call 801-587-2173.