Scars are a part of everyone’s life’s journey – be it a childhood injury or skin cancer surgery in later life – however, how your body heals from surgery is an individual one, and one that requires a skilled hand to ensure best results. If skin cancer reconstructive surgery is on your radar or that of a loved one, there’s no need to fear the ‘scar’ after-thoughts – scars are a normal concern as these are permanent and can be appearance altering. Fortunately, there are key factors that can help reduce scarring for greater long-term results.

Trusted hands . . .

Put yourself in the hands of a reputable surgeon. Choosing a qualified surgeon who has developed both the surgical skills and a feel for how the body heals itself, will produce better cosmetic results. A specialised skin cancer reconstructive plastic surgeon – like our own Adam Bialostocki – will carefully design and execute a plan to remove the skin cancer without creating new problems through the repair and healing process. This can include performing adjacent tissue transfers or a flap reconstruction – borrowing tissue from neighbouring sites by cutting through the skin and soft tissue on all but one side, rotating it and using it to fill the surgical defect. “Where a surgeon first stitches is critical to a less obvious scar,” explains Adam. “Pulling skin from a slack area rather than a taught one decreases pressure on the closure and reduces the size of the scar. The direction of the stitching can also determine whether the scar hides inside natural lines.”

Keep caring . . .

Alongside a skilled surgeon’s techniques, following their post-surgery instruction advice is essential for minimal scarring forward. This can include: pressure dressing for 48hours post-surgery, cutting all smoking – smoking slows the healing process, upping supplements – such garlic, vitamin C, fish oil, trialling silicone patches – silicone has been shown to reduce thickness of scars, and limiting activity – so you don’t stretch the wound site.

For sound advice, guidance and care following any comsetic or reconsturctive procedure,  we’ve got your skin covered.