Scar Revision IstanbulAssoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal
Treatments

Scar revision treatments

There is no single operation for scars — there is a toolkit. The right choice depends on the scar's structure, position, colour and texture, and the best result often combines methods in the right order.

01

Surgical Scar Excision & Re-closure

The old scar is removed and the wound closed meticulously in layers, with reduced tension, to produce a thinner, flatter line.

02

Z-Plasty & W-Plasty

Geometric techniques that re-orient a scar along natural skin creases and break a straight line into a less noticeable pattern.

03

Skin Grafts & Local Flaps

For larger or contracted scars, healthy tissue is used to release tightness and resurface the area — key in burn reconstruction.

04

Laser Resurfacing

Fractional and vascular lasers improve the colour and texture of a scar and soften redness, without cutting.

05

Steroid & 5-FU Injections

Intralesional injections flatten and soften thick, raised or keloid scars, usually over a planned course.

06

Silicone & Pressure Therapy

Evidence-based measures that keep scars flatter and paler as they mature; the foundation of non-surgical scar care.

07

Subcision

A fine needle releases the fibrous bands tethering depressed rolling scars, allowing the skin to lift.

08

Microneedling & Dermabrasion

Controlled resurfacing that stimulates new collagen to smooth texture and blend the scar with surrounding skin.

09

Fat Grafting & Fillers

Depressed, tethered scars are lifted by adding volume beneath — durably with the patient's own fat, or temporarily with filler.

Surgery or laser?

They solve different problems.

Surgery changes a scar's structure and position — narrowing a wide scar, re-orienting a badly placed one, or releasing a tethered or contracted scar. Laser refines the surface — colour and texture — without cutting.

For many prominent scars the ideal sequence is surgery first, then laser once the new scar has matured. Matching the method to the problem is what produces a natural result.

Laser vs surgery: how to choose
  • Structure & position → surgical revision, Z-plasty, flaps.
  • Colour & texture → laser resurfacing, microneedling.
  • Thickness → steroid / 5-FU injections, silicone, pressure.
  • Depressed scars → subcision, fat grafting, fillers.

Which treatment is right for you?

The honest answer depends on your specific scar. Send a photo for a tailored recommendation.

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