With any surgery, it’s normal to be concerned about the scars you'll be left with and whether they heal properly. In this episode, Dr. Bass covers the different types of scars and what to do if you find yourself with an unpredictable scar during your recovery. 

Two conditions which sometimes occur with scar healing are hypertrophic scars and keloid scars. A hypertrophic scar is red and thick, caused by inflammation combined with your wound healing biology and how your skin behaves. Keloid scars are the result of specific genes, growing thick, raised, and wider than the original incision or wound.

With scar issues of redness and thickening, the scar will be targeted through gel bandages, compression therapy, or lasers and energy based devices. Fractional lasers have revolutionized the treatment of scars, both traumatic and surgical.  For widened scars, surgical revision is typically needed, trimming out the old scar and resewing the skin edges no sooner than 6 months after surgery. 

Good scars start with good surgeries. Be cautious that you’re teaming up with a surgeon who knows how to place incisions well and treat problem scars if you’re one of the rare people whose skin reacts differently.

About Dr. Lawrence Bass

Innovator. Industry veteran. In-demand Park Avenue board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Bass is a true master of his craft, not only in the OR but as an industry pioneer in the development and evaluation of new aesthetic technologies. With locations in both Manhattan (on Park Avenue between 62nd and 63rd Streets) and in Great Neck, Long Island, Dr. Bass has earned his reputation as the plastic surgeon for the most discerning patients in NYC and beyond.

To learn more, visit the Bass Plastic Surgery website or follow the team on Instagram @drbassnyc

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