Surgical Scar Revision in Oakville, Ontario

Surgical scar revision is a procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to improve the appearance or function of an existing scar. Unlike non-surgical treatments that work on the skin’s surface, surgery physically changes the scar tissue itself. This may involve removing the scar, repositioning it, or redistributing nearby tissue to make the final result less noticeable.

Scar revision surgery may be appropriate when:

• A scar is thick, raised, or widened
• A scar is pulling on the skin or restricting movement
• The scar sits in an unfavorable location
• Non-surgical treatment has plateaued
• The patient wants a more definitive correction

The goal is not to completely erase a scar. All surgery creates some degree of scar tissue. Instead, the goal is to create a scar that is less visible, less tight, and more naturally aligned with the skin.

In most cases, the scar should be fully healed and mature before revision is considered. This usually means waiting 6 to 12 months after the original injury or surgery.

Different scars respond to different surgical approaches. During consultation, Dr. Khanna assesses the type of scar, how it formed, and whether revision can help.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars are raised, red, and firm scars that stay within the perimeters of the original incision. Unlike keloids, they do not grow beyond the original injury site. When they remain thick or visible after healing, surgical excision and careful re-closure can often improve their appearance.

Contracture Scars

Contracture scars tighten the skin and can restrict movement, especially when they form after burns or injuries near a joint. These scars can benefit from techniques such as Z-plasty or tissue rearrangement to release the contracture and improve mobility and overall function.

Widened or Stretched Scars

Some post-surgical scars widen over time because of tension or during healing. These scars may look flat but broad and noticeable. Excision and re-closure with improved wound support can often create a finer, less visible result.

Poorly Positioned Scars

Scars that cross natural skin tension lines or sit awkwardly within facial expression lines may be more noticeable than they need to be. Techniques such as Z-plasty or W-plasty can help redirect the scar, so it follows the skin’s more natural contours.

The surgical technique used depends on the scar’s size, location, direction, and its effect on the surrounding skin. Dr. Khanna chooses the approach that offers the best balance of cosmetic improvement and functional correction.

Excision and Re-Closure

This is the most common surgical scar revision technique. The existing scar is carefully removed, and the wound is closed again using meticulous layered suturing.

By distributing tension through deeper tissue layers rather than just the skin surface, this technique can help produce a finer, narrower scar. Steri-strips or surgical glue may also be used to protect the area while it heals.

This procedure is performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient treatment.

Z-Plasty

Z-plasty is a geometric rearrangement technique used to redirect a scar into a less visible pattern or release a contracture. It is especially helpful for scars that cross natural skin folds or limit movement.

By repositioning the tissue in small triangular flaps, Z-plasty can improve both the function and appearance of the scar.

W-Plasty and Geometric Broken Line Closure

These techniques break up a straight scar line into a more irregular pattern. Since the eye tends to notice straight lines more easily, a less linear scar can help it blend in better, especially on the face.

W-plasty and geometric broken line closure are often used when a long, straight scar is especially visible in a cosmetically important area.

Skin Flaps and Grafts

For larger or more complex scars, simple excision may not be enough. In these cases, skin flaps or grafts may be used to rearrange or replace tissue, allowing the area to heal with less tension and better function.

These techniques are typically reserved for scars that affect mobility, cover a larger surface area, or call for more advanced reconstruction

Choosing surgical scar revision is a thoughtful decision, and understanding the process can help patients feel more confident about treatment. 

At ICLS, care begins with a personalized consultation where Dr. Khanna evaluates the scar and discusses the most appropriate surgical approach. The procedure itself is typically straightforward and performed on an outpatient basis, with recovery focused on supporting healthy healing and achieving the best possible cosmetic result.

Your Consultation with Dr. Khanna

Your consultation begins with a full evaluation of the scar, including its type, age, location, depth, and any previous treatments. Dr. Khanna will assess whether the scar is mature enough for revision and discuss which surgical techniques may be most appropriate.

This appointment is also the time to review:

• Your goals for revision
• Realistic expectations
• Risks and benefits of surgery
• Timing of the procedure
• A personalized cost quote

Patients should be in overall good health and have a stable, fully healed scar before proceeding.

The Procedure

Surgical scar revision is performed under local anesthetic in an outpatient setting. Depending on the size of the scar and the technique required, the procedure usually takes 30 to 90 minutes.

During the procedure, the scar is revised using the selected surgical technique, and the wound is closed in layers. Sutures may be supported with steri-strips, incisional tape, or surgical glue to protect the repair and reduce surface tension.

If the tissue appears atypical, it may be sent to pathology for further assessment.

Recovery & Aftercare

Most patients experience mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness for the first few days after scar revision. Suture removal is usually done at 5 to 7 days, depending on the location.

In general:

• Normal daily activities can often resume within a week
• Strenuous activity should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks
• Sun protection is essential during healing
• Silicone gel or silicone tape may be used once the wound is fully closed
• Scar massage may begin around 6 weeks post-op

Follow-up visits are important for closely tracking healing. In some cases, after the surgical revision has healed, patients may benefit from a coordinated referral for complementary laser or topical aftercare through Oakville Skin.

Surgical scar revision may be a good option if you have a scar that is fully healed and mature, and has not improved sufficiently with non-surgical treatment.

Good candidates often include patients who:

• Have a scar that is 6 to 12 months old
• Are in overall good health
• Have a widened, raised, or poorly positioned scar
• Have a contracture scar causing functional limitation
• Want a more definitive correction than non-surgical care can provide

This procedure may not be recommended for patients who:

• Have an active infection in or near the scar
• Have a history of poor wound healing
• Take immunosuppressants
• Are prone to keloid formation

For patients with keloid-prone scars, surgical revision may carry a higher risk of recurrence, and those cases are better addressed through the consultation process.

Patients seeking scar revision surgery in Oakville, Toronto, and Mississauga choose ICLS because the treatment is performed by a highly experienced plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical setting.

Dr. Julie Khanna, FRCSC, ABPS, has more than 30 years of experience and has treated over 400,000 patients. Her surgical approach embodies patient safety, careful planning, precise tissue handling, and advanced wound-closure techniques to improve both cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Patients choose ICLS for:

• An accredited surgical facility in Oakville
• Expertise in scar excision and revision techniques
• Layered suturing and tension-reduction protocols
• Standard use of post-surgical silicone therapy guidance
• More than 1,600 five-star reviews on Google and RateMDs

When appropriate, surgical revision at ICLS can also be complemented by a referral to Oakville Skin for laser or topical aftercare, creating a coordinated pathway without overlapping services.