Will Facial Scar Revision Be Effective?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I am interested in scar revision on my right eyebrow. Will it make it look better?

A: When I evaluate a scar for potential revision, there are two issues to consider. First, what are the exact improvements that are needed such as is it depressed, is the scar wide, etc. in other words evaluating the specific changes that may likely make the scar less apparent. Secondly, based on the dimensional needs of the scar, how much better can it really be. An important concept to understand about scar revision is it is best thought of as scar replacement. Meaning there will always be a scar as there is no way to make it invisible. The real question is whether the scar replacement procedure is going to produce a better appearing scar than the one that currently exist. In other words, is it a good gamble to do?

That being said the two issues that appeared to make your scar more visible, based on the pictures, is an inward depression of the eyebrow and a scar line that goes above the eyebrow into the lower forehead skin. Thus your scar revision in my opinion consist sof several small components, including release of the eyebrow tissues with a small fat graft and replacement of the straight scar line above the eyebrow with a broken line closure technique.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon