Expert Scar Revision in Arvada, Colorado
Transform problematic scars and restore smooth, natural-looking skin with advanced scar revision treatments at Clearview Dermatology. We specialize in cutting-edge scar revision techniques to improve the appearance, texture, and tone of scars caused by surgery, acne, or injury across our offices in Arvada, Evergreen, and Littleton. Our board-certified dermatologists combine surgical expertise with state-of-the-art laser technology—including vascular, ablative, and non-ablative lasers—to resurface and remodel your skin for truly transformative results.
Scars tell the story of what your body has been through, whether from necessary surgery, teenage acne, or unexpected injury. While these marks are part of your history, they don't have to define how you feel about your appearance today. Modern scar revision techniques have advanced tremendously, and we can often achieve remarkable improvement in scars that patients thought were permanent.
A lot of people think that once a scar is there, that's just how it's going to look forever, but that's not true at all. Scars actually keep changing over time, and we can often make significant improvements even in scars that are years or decades old. So whether you're dealing with something recent or you've been bothered by a scar for a long time, there's probably something we can do to help make it less noticeable and help you feel better about how it looks.
Understanding Scar Revision and Treatment Goals
Scar revision is basically about making scars look as close to normal skin as possible. We can't make a scar completely disappear - that's just not realistic - but we can usually make it much less noticeable and help it blend in better with the rest of your skin. When we fix uneven areas or raised spots, the difference can be really remarkable. We've had patients tell us that treatments we thought were modest improvements completely changed how they felt about their appearance.
At Clearview Dermatology, we offer both surgical scar revision and laser-based scar remodeling approaches. Depending on the type, size, location, and age of your scar, we customize the most effective treatment strategy for your specific situation. Sometimes the best approach involves combining multiple techniques over time to achieve optimal results.
The key to successful scar revision is understanding that different types of scars respond to different treatments. A raised, red surgical scar will require a completely different approach than a depressed acne scar or a stretched traumatic scar. Our expertise lies in accurately assessing your scar and recommending the treatment that will provide the most meaningful improvement.
Comprehensive Surgical and Laser Treatment Options
If you have scars that are raised, thick, or just didn't heal well the first time around, we might recommend surgically revising them. This means we carefully cut out the old scar tissue and close the area back up using techniques that encourage much better healing. We're essentially giving your skin a second chance to heal properly. This approach works particularly well for those thick, rope-like scars, keloids that have grown beyond the original injury, wide surgical scars that healed poorly, and scars in areas that move a lot - like over joints - where the constant motion interfered with good healing the first time.
The surgical technique we use is quite different from the original surgery that created the scar. We employ specialized closure methods, tension-reducing techniques, and precise suture placement to encourage optimal healing and minimize the appearance of the new scar. Many patients are amazed at how much better a scar can look when it's revised using modern surgical techniques.
We also offer state-of-the-art laser treatments to improve scar tone, texture, and pigmentation without surgery. Our comprehensive laser arsenal allows us to address virtually any type of scar concern. Vascular lasers like our pulsed dye laser are ideal for red or vascular scars, including hypertrophic and keloid scars, working to reduce redness and promote healthy remodeling of the scar tissue.
Ablative lasers, including our CO2 and Ultra Clear Lasers, represent powerful resurfacing options that remove the top layer of skin and stimulate robust collagen regeneration. These treatments are particularly effective for deep acne scars and surgical scars that have created significant texture irregularities. While they require more recovery time, the results can be truly transformative.
Non-ablative lasers like our
Fraxel system penetrate below the surface without removing skin, stimulating collagen production and smoothing texture gradually over time. These treatments are great for mild to moderate scars and are perfect for patients seeking significant improvement with minimal downtime.
Comprehensive Scar Types We Treat
Our team has extensive experience treating a wide variety of scars, and we've seen remarkable improvements in all types of scarring. Surgical scars from procedures like C-sections, orthopedic surgeries, plastic surgery, and other operations often heal with raised, wide, or discolored appearances that can be significantly improved with our revision techniques.
Acne scars present unique challenges because they come in different forms - ice pick scars that are deep and narrow, rolling scars that create wave-like texture, and boxcar scars that appear as wide depressions. Each type requires a different treatment approach, and we often combine techniques to address the various scar patterns that acne can create.
Traumatic scars from burns, cuts, abrasions, and other injuries can be particularly challenging because they often involve irregular shapes, varying depths, and multiple types of tissue damage. Our comprehensive approach allows us to address all aspects of these complex scars for maximum improvement.
Keloids and hypertrophic scars represent overgrowth of scar tissue that can be both cosmetically and physically bothersome. These scars often require specialized treatment approaches that may include surgical revision combined with specific laser treatments and sometimes ongoing management to prevent recurrence.
Even stretch marks, which are essentially scars from rapid skin stretching, can often be improved significantly with our laser treatments, particularly when they're still relatively new and retaining their red or purple coloration.
Treatment Experience and Recovery Expectations
After a thorough consultation where we evaluate your scar and discuss your goals, your dermatologist will recommend the most effective treatment approach for your specific situation. Surgical scar revision is typically performed with local anesthesia in our comfortable office setting, and the procedure time varies depending on the size and complexity of the scar being revised.
Laser sessions can last between fifteen to sixty minutes, depending on the size and depth of the scar being treated. Most patients find laser treatments quite tolerable, and we use various comfort measures to ensure your experience is as pleasant as possible.
Recovery expectations vary significantly based on the treatment approach we use. For laser treatments, you can expect mild redness, swelling, or sensitivity that typically heals within a few days to two weeks, depending on the specific laser type and intensity used. Non-ablative treatments generally involve minimal downtime, while ablative treatments require more recovery time but provide more dramatic results.
For surgical revision, sutures may be placed and are typically removed in seven to fourteen days. Full healing and remodeling can take several months, but the improvement is often visible much sooner. Your skin will continue to improve over time as new collagen forms and the revised scar tissue matures and remodels.
Why Choose Clearview Dermatology for Scar Revision
When you come to us for scar revision, you're working with dermatologists who have extensive experience with both surgical techniques and laser treatments for scars. Having both options available means we can tackle even really challenging scars that might not respond well to just one approach.
We don't use the same treatment for everyone - instead, we look at your specific scar, your skin type, and what you're hoping to achieve, then design a plan that makes the most sense for your situation. Since we have offices in Arvada, Evergreen, and Littleton, you can get this specialized care at whichever location works best for you.
We stay involved throughout your healing process, not just during the treatment itself. We'll schedule follow-up visits to monitor how things are progressing and make sure you're getting the improvement you're looking for. If you have questions or concerns along the way, we're here to help guide you through the recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need more than one treatment session?
Many patients benefit from a series of treatments, especially for laser-based scar revision. Surgical scars may also benefit from additional laser treatments to optimize the final result.
How much downtime should I expect?
Downtime varies significantly by treatment type. Non-ablative lasers typically involve little to no downtime, while ablative lasers and surgical revision may require a week or more of recovery.
Can all skin types be safely treated?
Yes, we offer safe and effective scar revision solutions for all skin types, though the specific approach may be modified based on your skin characteristics.
How long after injury can scars be treated?
Scars can often be improved at any age, though we typically recommend waiting at least six months after initial healing before considering revision to allow the scar to mature.
Contact Clearview Dermatology
Ready to improve problematic scars and restore smooth, natural-looking skin? Contact Clearview Dermatology today to schedule your scar revision consultation and discover how our advanced treatments can help you achieve the skin appearance you desire.
