Apart from the non-surgical treatment options for scar improvement, DMC Skin Clinic also offers a variety of minor surgical procedures. Involving layered closures underneath and above the skin through the use of sutures and cutaneous stitches, the surgical removal of scars is becoming a more popular option for those wanting to see improvement within a smaller amount of repetition. While the healing process is relatively longer than non-surgical procedures, and the full cosmetic result may take several months to a year to obtain, the results of surgical revision is long lasting. DMC Skin Clinic always tries to prioritize patients’ aesthetic goals while maintaining high levels of safety and precision.

Excision: Most common facial scar removal technique for revising a mature depressed or spread scar.

• Fusiform elliptical excision – an ellipse-shaped skin incision
• Extramarginal scar excision – involves excision of a small margin of the normal tissue along with the scar to get normal tissue at the wound margins
• Intramarginal scar excision – uses serial excisions done at intervals of 6-12 weeks to revise a wide and/or rounded scar
• Geometric broken line closure – an advanced scar technique that provides maximum camouflage of longer scars; the irregular pattern of the incision line has random twists and turns which makes it difficult for the eyes to follow

Subcision: Minimally invasive procedure for treating certain rolling scars in which fibrotic strands that tether down the scar are broken.

• Buckshot subcision – uses EnerJet™ to produce a powerful stream of liquid that penetrates the scar
• Nokor needle subcision – most commonly used for small scars
• Wire scalpel subcision – most commonly used for larger rolling scars (e.g. C-section scar)

Punch graft: Used to remove skin from both the recipient and donor site to promote healing; while the procedure produces new scarring, the new scar is generally smoother and less conspicuous than the old depressed scar.

• How many treatment sessions do I need?
  Most patients generally require 1-2 sessions depending on the size and number of scars. Furthermore, in some situations, another surgical procedure or different treatment may be required to achieve optimal results.
• Is the minor surgery painful?
  Topical anesthetic cream application and local anesthetic injections are offered to minimize discomfort during treatment. DMC Skin Clinic also offers the use of analgesic laughing gas for patients who desire additional relief.
• Is there any downtime following the minor surgery?
  Bleeding and redness of the area(s) are generally expected for a few days to several weeks. After care may be required by the patient for several weeks after the surgical procedure. Patients are also required to keep the area protected from UV exposure for several weeks.
  Infection, delayed wound healing, change in skin sensation, allergic reactions (to tape, suture materials, glues, dressing materials, anesthetic), skin contour irregularities, and skin colour change are all considerable risks.