Posted by Dr. Julian De Silva | February 10th, 2022
Knowing scar removal surgery cost helps you make an informed decision about getting the treatment.
Scars, especially the big, unsightly ones, can change your appearance. If you have been wanting to remove your scars, you must know the scar removal surgery cost first.
But is scar removal really worth your hard-earned money? What exactly are the benefits of surgery scar removal? What types of scars does surgery remove?
In this article, I will talk about the types of scars surgery can remove and scar removal surgery cost. I will also discuss why facial scar removal is the best option.
A scar removal surgery cost includes treating many types of scars.
Here are the types of scars surgical scar treatments UK can remove:
1. Normal Scars
Normal scars are produced by the body’s healing process. Usually, normal scars do not become large. They also eventually fade and flatten.
Other than minor wounds, scars can also come from cuts or slightly deep scratches. At first, these scars leave raised lines. However, it will gradually fade as long as it does not get infected.
These types of scars can take up to two years to fade. However, It does not totally disappear. Normal scars typically leave visible marks or lines.
Furthermore, normal fine-line scars can be itchy for a few months. These normal scars are either caused by a wound or surgery. On the other hand, they are not painful and gradually flattens out as they heal.
Lastly, normal scars which are flat often come in pink or red colors. These scars may eventually become slightly darker or lighter than the surrounding skin.
2. Keloid Scars
Keloid scars are a product of an extreme and aggressive healing process. These scars are huge and raised.
Normally, keloid scars come in colors of pink, purple, or red. Also, they can become darker than the rest of the surrounding skin. Other times, keloid scars have the same color as the surrounding skin.
Additionally, Keloid scars can appear on any part of the body. However, keloid scars can be commonly found on the head. It’s mostly on the earlobes after having piercings. Keloid scars can also be frequently found on the shoulders, neck, and upper chest.
No one is exempted from the possibility of getting keloid scars. However, people with dark skin have higher chances of getting keloid scars.
Keloid scars can develop after minor skin damage. This can be from a piercing or an acne mark. Then, keloid scars spread beyond the area from where the initial damage was.
These types of scars extend beyond the area of damage. Therefore, it can hinder movement over time. Also, keloid scars do not fade away without proper treatment.
3. Hypertrophic Scars
Much like keloid scars, hypertrophic scars are a product of excess collagen. This excess collagen built up at the area where the wound originally occurred.
Normally, hypertrophic scars come in colors of pink or red. They also develop one to two months after incurring trauma.
Hypertrophic scars can appear in any part of the body. However, these scars commonly occur in areas where the skin is tight.
Although hypertrophic and keloid scars seem similar at first glance, they have many differences. Unlike keloid scars, hypertrophic scars do not develop beyond the damaged area.
Also, hypertrophic scars partially fade with time. They become thick continuously for up to six months. Then, over a few years, they improve.
4. Contracture Scars
Contracture scars are a type of scar that are a product of burns. Burns are painful. Therefore, the scars they produce become painful as well. If your skin was burned, then you most likely incurred a contracture scar.
The skin may acquire a lot of damage from burns. Particularly, contracture scars tighten your skin. These types of scars also become too sensitive.
Contracture scars may lead to functional and aesthetic problems. Also, contracture scars can affect the way you move. Contracture scars can cause extreme pain on joints and other body parts you always move. As a result, they limit your body’s movement.
Also, contracture scars leave unsightly marks. These marks appear extremely wrinkly. They also come in colors of red and pink. Additionally, these scars can completely change the way you look when they appear on your face.
Contracture scars may go also deeper into your skin. In some cases, they can affect the nerves and muscles.
5. Pitted Scars
Skin conditions such as chickenpox and acne produce pitted scars. Pitted scars can also be caused by an injury or loss of underlying fat. These scars are also known as atrophic or ice pick scars.
Pitted scars have a sunken appearance. Due to this, many people treat this as an aesthetic issue.
Though the appearance of pitted scars may improve over time, they might not totally disappear. Therefore, if you want to get rid of them, you need to seek professional help.
A scar removal surgery cost includes surgeon fee, anaesthesia cost, consultation fee, and more.
Here are the things included in scar removal surgery cost you have to prepare to pay for:
1. Surgeon Fees
Fees vary from one cosmetic surgeon to another. Usually, more experienced surgeons charge higher than less experienced doctors.
Despite the higher cost, more experienced surgeons are always worth the price. More experienced surgeons perform safer scar removal surgeries. Depending on the surgeon’s practice expenses, the surgeon determines the fee.
2. Anaesthesia
Anaesthetic fees are usually charged to you. Take note, the anaesthetic fee is usually separate from the surgeon, hospital, and any other charges related to your surgery.
This fee also depends on several factors. It includes the nature of the surgery, nature of the anesthesia administered, time of surgery, and the like.
Typically, the anesthesia fee is determined ahead of time. This is discussed between the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the surgical facility.
3. Facility Use
A scar removal surgery cost includes the fee for facility use.
Typically, scar removal surgery doesn’t require an overnight stay at the facility. However, you still have to pay for using the facility.
For one, the facility needs to be cleaned. In addition, you have to pay for the maintenance of tools and equipment.
4. Consultation
Some cosmetic surgeons charge a consultation fee. Other cosmetic surgeons don’t. You might be required to pay a consultation fee on top of the cost of your surgery. This depends on your doctor.
At my clinic, the Centre for Advanced Facial Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery, the consultation fee gets deducted from your scar removal surgery cost.
5. Travel
Comparing the cost of cosmetic surgery in your country to another country can be challenging.
On top of that, you should also calculate the total cost of having your procedure done overseas.
Additionally, since you will be traveling abroad, you will need to add in the cost of getting to and from your destination. This will also include the cost of accommodations and transportation while you are there.
6. Pre-Operative Processes
A scar removal surgery cost includes the cost of pre-operative processes.
The preoperative period may last for months for patients who have their surgery planned. Some patients require extensive testing in order to determine whether they can tolerate the surgery and anaesthesia.
Others patients require a certain period of time. During this time, they work to improve their overall health under the care of the preoperative team.
In addition, your surgeon may order you to undergo a series of tests. The tests are done to make sure you are healthy enough to tolerate the stresses of surgery. These tests may range from blood tests, chest x-rays, and stress tests. This also includes imaging tests like CT scans, MRI, Ultrasound, or PET scans. Any additional tests that the surgeon deems necessary will also be done.
The cost of these tests can range from hundreds of pounds to thousands of pounds.
7. Postoperative Care
Aftercare support is necessary for some patients. Other patients might also need post-op consultation. Depending on your doctor, you might be charged for any cost that’s related to aftercare.
8. Time Off of Work
A scar removal surgery cost includes the cost of taking time off of work.
When it comes to downtime or the healing period after a plastic surgery procedure, you have some things to remember.
For one, recovery times differ from patient to patient. It is also dependent on many factors. These factors include the procedure itself and your general health condition.
With this information, make sure to ask your plastic surgeon about the recovery time of your procedure.
Scar removal surgery offers many benefits such as permanent results and more confidence.
Here are the reasons why surgery is the best option for removing scars from face:
1. Surgery offers permanent results.
Non-surgical face treatments offer plenty of positive benefits. However, the benefits only come with shorter-term results. In addition, to achieve permanent outcomes, non-surgical procedures may need to be repeated on a regular basis.
On the other hand, surgical procedures offer long-lasting results. It is only done on a one-time basis. However, surgery offers permanent results.
Surgery is an incredible and effective way to remove scars. It can also be especially helpful if the skin is tight. This will allow the surgeons to use a pointed skin closure that will align the skin precisely and reduce tightness.
Moreover, surgery can be a permanent option. This will also create a dramatic improvement in the visibility of scars.
Surgical approaches for scar revision vary according to the characteristics of the original scar. Some methods may include skin grafting to replace large areas of damaged tissue. Another method may be through a layered closure that repairs the subdermal layers and the surface of the skin as well.
Surgery can bring lasting and dramatic changes to your physical appearance. Therefore, is important to understand how these changes on the outside might affect you on the inside and the outside.
2. Scar removal surgery enhances your look.
Any part of the body can have scars. The composition of a scar also varies based on how it appears. It can be flat, lumpy, sunken, or colored. The scar may also be painful or itchy.
Fortunately, surgery scar removal can decrease the appearance of scars. These scars may be acquired due to trauma, surgery, injury, and such.
Technically speaking, no scar can be completely removed. However, most of the time, scar revision surgery can improve the appearance of a scar. It makes the scar less pronounced.
When you undergo scar removal surgery to look improve your looks, your standing in your social and work life also improves. In particular, if you work in the field of marketing, sales, or a profession where appearance is important, you get more professional opportunities.
3. Surgery scar removal gives you more confidence.
Paying for a scar removal surgery cost can increase your confidence.
Scars can last for years. Fortunately, procedures that can remove these scars exist. These procedures can give you a fresher, and smoother-looking complexion. They can also be performed with other procedures such as a facelift or neck lift.
Generally, people seek cosmetic procedures to improve their appearance. For many, successful cosmetic procedures leads to enhanced self-esteem.
When you look good, you also feel good. For most people, appearance improvements translate to increased self-confidence. This means a greater willingness in trying out new things or open up in social situations.
4. Scar removal surgery can prevent complications.
Scars can cause functional limitations on areas of mobility. The same principle applies to areas that lack tissue laxity. When this happens, contractions usually occur.
Fortunately, scar revision surgery can alleviate limitations in the range of motion. It can also restore function.
Scars can be extremely painful, especially if a neuroma is present. Therefore, getting surgery can prevent further complications brought by the said condition.
5. Surgery scar removal can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Surgery becomes more cost-effective, especially for a patient who requires a number of procedures to be performed. This also applies to patients with complex conditions.
While scar removal cost may be expensive, it is a one-time procedure that can improve the appearance of your scars for a lifetime.
Numerous treatments are available for facial scars. However, the ultimate choice depends on you. You have to consider budget, risks, and the type of scar you have.
Thus, it is important to work closely with the best facial plastic surgeon to determine the best option for you. You must also bear in mind that most scars are permanent. Although treatment can significantly reduce a scar’s appearance, it will not remove the scar entirely.
We can’t entirely remove a scar. However, we can greatly decrease its appearance. Sometimes the decrease in appearance is so significant that you must search carefully to find it. For scars like the contracture scars, surgical revision and appropriate wound care can help restore the appearance and function of the area where the scar is located.
Do you want to talk to one of the best cosmetic surgeons in the UK? Book a consultation with me now!
Renowned expert in Facial Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery. Signature techniques in Blepharoplasty, Rhinoplasty and Facelift surgery. Expert in revision surgery and in natural looking results
