Scar revision is a term that may conjure any number of treatment ideas for people. Have you begun to search for ways to minimize skin irregularities? Or perhaps fade signs of an injury that your skin still carries? When sorting through the options and products advertised as “scar treatments”, many people don’t know where to start. We can help.
Dr. Cory Torgerson has been at the forefront of facial cosmetic surgery and rejuvenation for over a decade, and his renowned practice is devoted to offering the most advanced, effective skincare and repair treatments. When they consult an experienced facial cosmetic surgeon in Toronto, people finally access real solutions. We want to share with you some need-to-know information about scars and why you should see a facial cosmetic surgeon in Toronto to treat them effectively.
It’s time to see a facial cosmetic surgeon in Toronto
When human skin is injured, it will almost always form a scar. With few exceptions, people are self-conscious about scars, whether in the form of stretch marks, surgical scars, or acne scars. That is especially true of unwanted marks on the face. It’s nearly impossible to hide textural irregularities on facial skin, so understandably people are willing to try everything from make-up to medications boasting promises to fade and flatten them. Have you ever wasted money only to find yourself disappointed by a scar product? The truth is, few drugstore items can effect any change at all for the appearance of scars. Don’t be discouraged! You’ll find real solutions when you visit a facial cosmetic surgeon.
An inside look at scars and textural changes in our skin
The sequential process of injury and response involves complex, coordinated actions between inflammatory substances and your damaged tissue. Any damage that breaks the skin will trigger bleeding, coagulation, the release of cytokines and platelets, protein, and fibrin to fill in the wound bed. Collagen and fibrin material are what our bodies use as scaffolding to connect blood vessels, wound edges, and build the structure. A person’s overall health, the conditions for healing (such as infection), the location of the injury, and even their age may contribute to the eventual healed outcome.
The newly developed tissue doesn’t look like the surrounding skin, however. Scar tissue is typically lacking in pores, has diminished sensation, or feels extremely sensitive. This “living bandage” will lack normal pigment and, because of that, has no meaningful protection from the sun. Scar tissue doesn’t flex the way healthy skin does. Because of its tight and sometimes constricted texture, this tough tissue may even impair the function of mobile facial features such as the eyelids, mouth, or nose. The following are common types of scars and their causes:
Pitted scars, whether small or extensive, fall under this category. Because skin and underlying tissue are removed during injury and subsequent scabbing, the wound will close but leave a depression. Acne scars are typically atrophic, and they are further categorized according to sub-type. Perhaps you’ll recognize one or more of the following acne scar types:
- Ice-pick – These scars are commonly seen, named after the deep, pitted holes they leave in the cheeks.
- Box scars – These tend to look punched out, with distinct edges. They can also be deep, but are wider than ice pick scars and commonly found on cheeks or temples.
- Rolling – These are widespread and shallow, but cause the skin to have a waved appearance. The textural change is noticeable at a distance.
What should you do about acne and other scars?
Your first, proactive step is to contact a skin and scarring expert who has plenty of experience in this area. Toronto facial cosmetic surgeon Dr. Torgerson recommends that people allow active acne blemishes to clear up before proceeding with scar therapies. Because of his in-depth medical knowledge and practice experience, he’s able to advise a series of proven, medical-grade products that assist his patients with rapid acne healing.
People who have visible scars want to smooth and blend away their textural irregularities while balancing skin tone. A number of targeted facial cosmetic treatments can accomplish this.
Important Note
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Steroid Scar Injection
Keloid scars describe an expanding, growing mass of fibrotic tissue due to an over-productive immune process, and they are often hereditary. Darkly pigmented skin is usually more prone to keloids. Steroid medications may halt the proliferation of a keloid, or they may be carefully excised.
Dermabrasion Scar Treatment
Microneedling
Laser Skin Resurfacing
The term “laser” really covers a wide range of devices and equipment that direct light and heat energy to target locations on the skin or below it. There are many different settings that experienced Toronto cosmetic surgeons select to accomplish specific goals. Ablative laser resurfacing denotes the removal of extremely precise, thin skin surface layers, reducing scar tissue and revealing smoother skin.
YAG erbium and CO2 laser devices have completely changed the landscape of what skin and scar rejuvenation looks like. They direct incredibly fast micro wounds to the target tissue – so small that you cannot see or feel them. These light energy waves are able to work on a cellular level in your skin and your scars to remodel the tissue while removing unwanted scar tissue.
The YAG laser is also very beneficial for lesion and scar revision with its shorter wavelength, penetrating less deeply, but focussed on highly specific small areas. A range of scar types as well as vascular lesions, pigment, and broken capillaries can be treated with these versatile devices. The erbium and C02 technology is preferred by many medical professionals to resurface problem skin without surgery, and it has revolutionized the way that Toronto surgeons treat scars. The process is more transformative and intense than non-ablative skin therapies, but requires only 7 days of downtime, during which the surface layer of the skin will slough away to reveal fresh, healthy skin underneath.
We welcome you to contact us today and find out if a non-surgical approach to skin revitalization is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Laser technology is extremely safe and effective in the right hands, but you shouldn’t trust just anyone with this powerful technology near your body. For safety’s sake and results you’ll love, seek treatment under the supervision of a Royal College-certified facial plastic surgeon.
Non-ablative laser technology such as IPL (intense pulsed light) is useful for light scarring and doesn’t damage the surface layer of skin. Instead, less severe heat energy is directed deeper in the tissue to leave the surface untouched and remodel underlying layers. This simple, painless treatment typically requires only a few days for healing, and the client may see a little redness on the skin’s surface during that time.
Surgical Scar Removal or Revision
Who is an ideal candidate for advanced scar revision treatments?
People who are in good general health will typically be suitable for any number of therapies. The best methods for treatment will depend on the skin type, the existing scar, and the patient’s goals. The most reliable way to find out what options you have is to schedule a private consultation and discuss all of the considerations with an experienced facial cosmetic surgeon in Toronto. It’s critical to determine what factors contributed to your scar formation to minimize reoccurrence and choose a treatment that will be well tolerated.
Dr. Torgerson will always present realistic and honest guidance for his clients. He wants them to be encouraged by the transformative possibilities of the latest cosmetic procedures, yet also realistic about the limitations. The goal when seeking the correction of an aesthetic issue should always be to improve and build on your natural beauty. We recommend setting your sights on improvement, not perfection. We can diminish scarring, but it’s rarely, if ever, possible to eradicate a scar completely. At the Dr. Torgerson Clinic in Yorkville, our focus is on revealing blemish-free, healthy skin, but we also understand the influential role that scars can have on a person’s psychological wellness. We’re pleased to deliver the industry’s most advanced, high-quality treatment solutions with professionalism and compassion. Always.
We’re ready to schedule your appointment
We facilitate incredible transformations at the Dr. Torgerson Clinic, and we’ve established an expansive family of past clients who are thrilled that they sought expert medical help for their skin and scars. We can do wonders for you too, and we’d love to meet you. Contact us today to take the next step on your journey and get ready to put a more confident face forward.
