Facial Scar Revisions

At the recent American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) virtual meeting, Regan Thomas, MD, professor of facial plastic surgery, Northwestern University of Medicine, Chicago, detailed the different approaches he uses to improve the appearance of facial scars using surgical techniques and nonsurgical modalities, including dermabrasion and lasers, in his presentation, “Optimizing Results in Facial Scar Revision.”

While dermabrasion alone is sometimes enough to mask faint scars, Dr. Thomas says prominent scars are better addressed using surgical camouflaging options, including a running W-plasty or geometric broken line closure, both of help to break up scar margins into triangular or other irregular components.