The skin forms a scar as a natural method of healing. It occurs when the body replaces the damaged and lost skin. The scar primarily comprises fibrous tissue and might be formed for several different reasons. At times, the scars might result from tissue inflammation, injuries, surgery, and infection. Sometimes, their appearance might seem colored, sunken, lumpy, or flat. Today, there are several kinds of plastic surgeries dedicated to scar revision.

Here are five types of plastic surgeries that are used to heal scars:

1. Fusiform Elliptical Excision
It is one of the most elementary surgical techniques that help in mature scar repair. If a wound has extended its original boundaries or is quite deep, this is one of the most relevant plastic surgeries. In this, the surgeon will remove the scar tissue along with a tiny part of the surrounding normal tissue. Then, the edges of the skin are tied together via fine sutures. The scar’s edges are beveled to diminish the wound’s appearance, and the opposite edge is counter-beveled. This procedure ensures that the two fit together in a tongue-and-groove fashion.

2. Z-Plasty and Related Tissue-Rearrangement Techniques
If you wish to re-orient the scars, the Z-Plasty technique is employed. In this technique, the scar is oriented by cutting the skin surrounding it in small triangular flaps with a typical Z-shape. This is how it gets its name Z-Plasty. However, the technique chosen by your doctor will depend on the scar’s shape. Following this, the flaps will be repositioned according to your skin’s natural creases and lines. This makes the new scar less apparent. Often this surgery may be used to relieve the pressure of contracture scars. Surgeons also recommend Z-Plasty in reconstructive burn surgery.

3. Tissue expansion
This treatment enables the body to grow some extra skin that can seamlessly cover the scar. The surgeon will insert an inflatable balloon in proximity to the scar site underneath the skin. This will stretch the skin, and then additional skin is employed for the procedure.

4. Dermabrasion
It is a commonly used plastic surgery technique and used to even out the surface irregularities, such as a scar or deep lines. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the skin’s topmost layer. For this, the afflicted region is injected with an anesthetic. Following this, it is sanded via a diamond wheel or wire brush till the necessary amount of skin is eliminated.

5. Flaps and grafts
When the area of burned or scarred tissue is large, the doctors will recommend skin grafts and local flaps. Flaps are prepared by cutting a slice from the healthy skin. This is moved to the adjacent area, ensuring that the blood flow is constant. On the other hand, the healthy patch from the skin is moved to a distant affected body part in skin grafting. So, the old blood flow is severed, and the new blood vessels are grown.