Coastal Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa — Erina NSW Scar Revision Surgery
Whilst no surgical method can remove a scar completely, our specialist plastic surgeons can often improve the comfort, function and appearance of a scar — making it less noticeable or easier to conceal.
Understanding scar revision
Scar tissue forms as a natural part of the skin's healing process following injury or surgery. While all scars are permanent to some degree, their appearance, texture, and comfort can vary considerably depending on a range of individual and wound-related factors.
At Coastal Plastic Surgery, our specialist plastic surgeons expertly design surgical incisions to minimise scarring from the outset. When performing any procedure, incisions are concealed as best as possible and closed using advanced techniques to optimise the final scar outcome.
For existing scars — whether from surgery, injury, or other causes — our surgeons are able to assess whether revision treatment may improve appearance, reduce discomfort, or improve function.
No medical or surgical method can remove a scar completely. Scar revision aims to improve the appearance, comfort, and function of a scar, not to eliminate it. Your surgeon will provide an honest assessment of what is achievable in your individual case during your consultation.
Certain areas of the body are more prone to significant scarring than others. These include the shoulders, upper chest and breastbone, abdomen, and back. Your surgeon will take these factors into account when planning treatment.
Common scar types we treat
Different types of scars present differently and may respond to different treatment approaches. Your surgeon will assess your scar type during consultation and recommend the most appropriate management plan.
Hypertrophic Scars
Raised, firm scars that remain within the boundaries of the original wound. They often appear red or pink and may be itchy or tender. Hypertrophic scars can improve over time but may benefit from earlier intervention including silicone gel sheeting, corticosteroid injections, or laser treatment.
Keloid Scars
Keloids extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound and continue to grow over time. They can be raised, firm, and may cause significant discomfort, itching, or restricted movement. Keloids are more common in certain individuals and at certain body sites, particularly the earlobes, shoulders, and chest.
Surgical & Traumatic Scars
Scars resulting from surgery or traumatic injury. Surgical scars benefit from planned incision design and careful wound closure. Traumatic scars, which do not have the advantage of planned design, may require removal of damaged tissue and delicate repair to achieve the best possible outcome.
Clinical photographs shown for educational purposes. Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
What influences how a scar heals
The extent and appearance of scarring is influenced by a range of factors, many of which are beyond a patient's control. Understanding these factors helps set realistic expectations for scar revision outcomes.
Traumatic scars do not benefit from a planned incision design. Following an injury, our plastic surgeons aim to achieve the best possible scar outcome by removing damaged tissue — as surgically cut wounds heal more predictably than injured tissue — and repairing the wound with precision.
For traumatic scars that have already healed, early therapy may be commenced to improve the outcome. This may include medications to reduce itching and tenderness, corticosteroid injections, and silicone gel sheeting or ointment for hypertrophic scars.
How scars can be improved
There is a range of surgical and non-surgical options available for scar revision, depending on the type, age, location, and characteristics of the scar. Your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate approach following a thorough assessment.
Scar excision & re-closure
The existing scar is surgically removed and the wound is carefully re-closed, taking advantage of improved technique and wound placement to produce a less visible final scar.
Re-orientation of the scar
The direction of a scar can be altered surgically using techniques such as Z-plasty or W-plasty to place it in a less visible position, often aligning it with natural skin creases.
Skin grafts & flaps
In some cases, skin grafts or local flaps are used to bring in healthy skin, relieve tension across a scar, or resurface an area where scarring has affected function or contour.
Corticosteroid injections
Injections directly into hypertrophic or keloid scars can reduce bulk, soften the scar, and relieve symptoms of itching and tenderness. A course of injections may be recommended.
Silicone gel sheeting
Silicone gel sheets or ointment applied to a healing or mature scar have been shown to reduce redness and thickness, particularly in hypertrophic scars.
Laser & skin needling
Non-surgical options including laser treatment and medical skin needling may improve the appearance of scars, reduce redness, and improve texture without the need for surgery.
Scar revision surgery is generally recommended once the scar has fully matured — typically around 12 months after the original wound. Some acute injuries may require more immediate surgical intervention, while in other cases it is preferable to wait several months before proceeding. Your surgeon will advise on the appropriate timing for your individual situation.
Our specialist plastic surgeons
Scar revision at Coastal Plastic Surgery is performed by our FRACS-qualified specialist plastic surgeons, who have extensive training in both surgical and non-surgical techniques for scar management.
Common questions
General information about scar revision at Coastal Plastic Surgery. For questions specific to your scar or situation, please book a consultation.
No. All scars are permanent to some degree — there is no surgical or medical method that can completely remove a scar. Scar revision aims to improve the appearance, comfort, and function of an existing scar by making it less noticeable or more easily concealed. Your surgeon will provide an honest assessment of what is realistic for your individual scar at your consultation.
Scar revision surgery is generally recommended once the scar has fully matured, which typically takes around 12 months. Scars continue to remodel and improve during this period, and operating too early can interfere with the natural healing process. Some traumatic scars may require earlier intervention, while others benefit from waiting longer. Your surgeon will advise on the appropriate timing during your consultation.
Non-surgical approaches to scar management include corticosteroid injections (particularly effective for hypertrophic and keloid scars), silicone gel sheeting or ointment, laser treatment, and medical skin needling. These options may be recommended either as a first-line treatment or in combination with surgical revision depending on the type and characteristics of your scar.
This depends on the size and location of the scar. Smaller scars can often be revised under local anaesthetic as an outpatient procedure. Larger or more complex revisions may require a general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will discuss the most appropriate anaesthetic option at your consultation.
Medicare rebates may apply to scar revision where the procedure is clinically indicated — for example, where a scar is causing functional impairment, pain, or restriction of movement. Purely cosmetic scar revision is generally not eligible for a Medicare rebate. A detailed cost estimate will be provided following your consultation, including applicable Medicare item numbers where relevant.
For traumatic scars that have already healed, our plastic surgeons can assess whether early therapy or revision surgery may improve the outcome. Initial management may include medications to reduce itching and tenderness, corticosteroid injections, and silicone gel sheeting. If these approaches are insufficient, surgical revision may be recommended at a later stage once the scar has matured.
Concerned about a scar?
Book a consultation with one of our specialist plastic surgeons at our Erina practice to discuss your scar and understand what options may be available for your individual situation.