Cosmetic Surgery for Scars

Under normal conditions, human skin and mucous membranes harbour resident or commensal microbial flora. Our body is covered with a harmless microbial layer that can become virulent if introduced into the body through a skin breach.

The scar becomes mechanically strong enough for suture removal between the 3rd and 15th day, depending on the sutured tissues (primary healing). It is fragile beforehand and should not be "traumatized" (avoid scratching, rubbing, etc.).

After suture removal, the clinical and histological evolution of the scar remains stereotypical for several months.

It gradually becomes red, hard, hypertrophic, and itchy -- it may even become painful. This is the inflammatory phase of healing. From the second month, these signs begin to disappear, leaving by the twelfth month a white, supple, and insensitive scar (remodeling and maturation).

It is after one year that healing is considered definitively complete and the quality of the scar can be assessed. After several years, scars gradually take on the coloring of the surrounding skin.

Should a scar prove unsightly -- too wide, too thick, or too red -- it is important to know that there are ways to improve it.

Scars will always remain, most often very discreet, but never completely invisible except in particular cases or particularly favorable locations.

A scar may be: invisible (intranasal), concealed with makeup, covered by clothing (underwear or swimwear), or blended into wrinkles or skin folds.

Small scars (liposuction) will gradually fade, but larger ones (abdominoplasty and breast reduction) will take several months before becoming acceptable.