Scar revision at Spire Bristol Hospital

If you have scarring that might have been caused by burns, injury, surgery, acne or chickenpox, you may be self-conscious about your appearance and your confidence may be affected as a result. There are a number of methods you might have already tried to reduce the appearance of scars - such as steroid injections, silicone gels/sheets and other non-surgical techniques such as fillers or IPL.

Scar treatments do not guarantee complete removal of the scar, but aim to make it less obvious. They can also help to reduce tightness caused by the scar tissue. The colour and type of your skin, your age and the type of scarring influence how much improvement you can expect.

If you decide to have your treatment with us, you will be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals or clinics.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see and when you want. They’ll be with you every step of the way: from giving advice at your first consultation, through to offering on-going support after your surgery.

All of our cosmetic surgeons are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well equipped hospitals.  A cosmetic surgeon’s reputation, qualifications and experience are vitally important, so we only work with consultant grade specialists. These are highly experienced consultants who have completed years of medical training. All our consultants are on the specialist register of the General Medical Council (GMC), and many are also members of the UK’s leading cosmetic and plastic surgery associations.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

For local anaesthesia there is no need to go without food and drink. However, if you are having general anaesthesia, you will need to follow the fasting instructions in your admission letter.

Photographs may be taken so that you can compare the scar area before and after treatment.

We understand that having surgery can often be a time of anxiety and worry, but our experienced and caring medical staff will be there for you, holding your hand, every step of the way.

This is a day case procedure and performed under local anaesthetic, so the area being treated will be completely numb. It is performed by a cosmetic surgeon, specialising in dermatology and scar revision.

If your consultant determines that surgery is the best option for you, they will make a number of small cuts on both sides of the scar site creating a V-shape which reorients the scar so it is less noticeable. The wound is stitched and dressed after the operation. Stitches are usually removed after three to four days for the face and five to seven days for other parts of your body. Stitches that dissolve themselves are often used on your body.

Scar revision is a day case procedure and you can leave the hospital or clinic as soon as you're able to be discharged.

Pain relief

We will give you pain relief medication after the operation and when we discharge you.

Recovery time

When we discharge you we'll talk to you about whether your stitches and dressings need to be removed and we’ll make you an appointment to see your consultant again.

You should rest at home for a couple of days before returning to work.

You should also avoid activities that might put tension or pressure on the area that has been operated on.

Don’t expose yourself to the sun for several months after treatment and use sunblock or a bandage to stop it from permanently tanning the healing surgical scar.

End result

After treatment, it can take 12 to 24 months for the full improvements to be visible. However, it is possible that you will still be able to see the revised scar.

How your loved ones can help

Once you’re ready to be discharged, you’ll need to arrange a taxi, friend or family member to take you home as you won't feel up for driving. You should also ask them if they can run some light errands such as shopping for you as you won’t be feeling up to it.

Looking after you

Even once you’ve been discharged, we’re still here for you. Your consultant is likely to want to see you after your operation, you will also be given a date for a follow-up appointment.

On rare occasions, complications following scar revision surgery can occur. The chance of complications depends on the exact type of treatment you are having and other factors such as your general health. We will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.

If you have any questions or concerns, we’re ready to help.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.