Scars are unpredictable, whether they're caused by accidents or by surgery. Scar development depends as much on how your body heals as it does on the original injury or on the surgeon's skills.

While no scar can be removed completely, Dr. Rappaport can improve the appearance of the scar by making it less obvious through the injection or application of certain steroid medications, or through surgery.

The most common types of scars include the following:

• Keloid Scars:

  These are thick, puckered, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound or incision. They are often red or darker in color than the surrounding tissue. Keloids can appear anywhere on the body and occur most often in dark-skinned people. Keloids may be treated with steroids or excised and the wound closed with stitches. No matter what approach is taken, Keloids have a tendency to return. Sometimes radiation is necessary to treat them.

• Hypertrophic Scars:

  This scar is similar in looks to the Keloid scar but this type of scar tends to remain within the boundaries of the original incision or wound. They often improve on their own with the help of seriod applications or injections. If this approach does not work, these scars can often be removed surgically.

• Contractures:

  When you have a loss of a large area of skin from a burn or other injury, a scar may form that pulls the edges of the skin together. This process is called contraction. Ultimately this process may effect adjacent muscles and tendons and restrict normal movement. Dr. Rappaport will usually cut out the scar and replace it with a skin graft or a flap. His specific approach for you will be discussed during your consultation. Physically therapy may also be required after surgery.

• Facial Scars:

  Dr. Rappaport will discuss several ways to make your facial scar less noticeable. He will take into consideration the location and direction of your facial scar when formulating your options.

For more information regarding the procedures used to treat the most common types of scars and the results you can expect, we encourage you to check

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers
 /procedures/ScarRevision.cfm

While this sight can give you a basic understanding of the symptoms and treatments for scar revision, you will need a consultation with Dr. Rappaport in order to assess your individual circumstances.