Plastic and Cosmetic Procedures for Burns, Scars and Deformities

Overview
Many people suffer from scars caused by burns, injuries, deformities and contractures. For these individuals, scars may affect appearance, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures are often sought to reduce the appearance of scar tissue, whether it's the result of burns, auto accident injuries, birth deformities or birth defects such as cleft palates, or skin and  muscle contractures caused by injury, resulting scarring or disease processes.

The field of cosmetic plastic surgery offers a multitude of cosmetic procedures as well as cosmetic surgery clinics that individuals can access in the removal or reduction in the appearance of scars.

Scar Treatments
Scars form whenever multiple skin layers have been injured or affected by trauma or injury such as burns, lacerations and deep cuts. Scars are permanent, although their appearance may be reduced through various cosmetic procedures. Scars are not only a physical detriment to many, but can affect the function of the mouth, eyes, and nose as well as movement in the extremities. While most people don't worry too much about mild to moderate scars in most body locations  unless they're extensive and affect mobility, facial scars carry with them a stigma that severely hampers self-esteem and confidence in many.

Various treatments are available to help reduce the appearance of scars. Different treatments and procedures are offered for different types of scars. The most common cosmetic and plastic surgical procedures for scars include:

• Skin grafts for burn scars
• Dermabrasion and laser resurfacing for reduction of elevated scars
• Steroid injections for treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars
• Skin flaps for contracture tight scars

Non-invasive scar removal techniques such as laser technology are commonly utilized today to even out skin texture around small to moderately sized scar tissue for those with light skin tones. This procedure enhances production of collagen in the skin. Chemical peels are also common for mild scarring of acne as well as treatment for some elevated scarring.

Burns and large scarred areas are often treated with skin grafts. During a skin graft procedure, a plastic surgeon will remove skin from another part of the body and replace damaged or scarred skin with the graft. For deeper wounds, skin flaps may also be utilized to support and fill skin areas.

Patients are cautioned to wait at least one year before undergoing skin graft or skin flap cosmetic surgeries in order to allow the skin to become completely healed and attain the color it will remain are the rest of their life. This way, plastic surgeons may determine the overall color of the skin replacement to most closely match surrounding areas.

Dermabrasion or dermaplaning is also a common treatment for burn scars known as hypertrophic or keloid scars that utilizes the ability to resurface the top layers of the skin through the process of surgical scraping. Dermabrasion involves scraping away top layers of the skin while derma- planing utilizes an instrument called a dermatome that enables the plastic surgeon to obtain skin grafts as well as to literally shave off or skim layers of the skin affected by scar tissue.

Today, plastic surgeons often combine dermabrasion, dermaplaning and chemical peels within a single procedure for optimal results. Dermabrasion and dermaplaning, chemical peels and laser resurfacing techniques are generally performed on an outpatient basis. Skin grafts and skin flap procedures are more detailed and invasive and may require hospitalization.

Who Benefits from Cosmetic Scar Removal Procedures?
Anyone suffering burn scars, keloid or scars from accidents, birth defects or skin infections may benefit from scar removal treatments ranging from resurfacing the skin grafting. Self-esteem, confidence and appearance may be improved dramatically through scar removal techniques that offer individuals a multitude of benefits in social and business environments.

How Much Does Scar Removal Cost?
Plastic surgery procedures or  reconstructive cosmetic surgery will be determined by the type of scar, its location and severity. Scar removal may be paid for by health insurance companies in the United States, depending on its cause. Elective cosmetic surgery procedures are not covered.

Patients with mild to moderate scars receiving treatments utilizing laser resurfacing may spend between $2,000 and $6,000. Skin grafts and flaps may cost $1,500 or more for a 40 in.² section, and that doesn't include the cost of surgery, anesthesia and hospital care. Travelers to foreign destinations such as India may save between 30% and 60% on costs the same treatment the United States.

Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon
Choose a plastic surgeon or dermatologist that has received training in skin resurfacing, scar removal, and has specialized or is board certified in techniques that include treatment for hypertrophic, keloid, skin infection and scarring treatments. Plastic and cosmetic surgeons should be certified by the American Society of plastic surgeons or in associations or organizations in his or her country of origin. Surgeons and specialists should have completed basic training as well as residency programs, specialty training and be accredited and certified.