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Scar Treatment
A scar is the skin’s natural response to injury, and when one is raised, painful, or affecting how an area looks or moves, scar revision can improve its appearance, texture, and function. At St. Louis Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Troy, MO, scar revision for surgical, traumatic, and injury scars is performed under the direction of Dr. Brandon T. Beal, a double board-certified dermatologist whose reconstructive training is central to this work.
Double board-certified
Dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery
Fellowship-trained
Advanced cosmetic and reconstructive training
Physician-owned
Independent practice, never corporate
Troy & Chesterfield
Second location now open
What Scar Revision Treats
Scar revision uses a range of techniques to improve how a scar looks, feels, and functions. Some patients come for the cosmetic appearance; others want relief from a scar that’s painful, itchy, or limiting movement. This page focuses on surgical, traumatic, and injury scars, the kinds of scars that benefit from a reconstructive approach. For other scar types, we have dedicated care:
- Acne scars — see acne scar treatment (subcision, TCA CROSS, resurfacing)
- Raised keloid or hypertrophic scars — see keloid treatment
- Darkened or discolored scars — see hyperpigmentation
Traumatic scars, from car accidents, dog bites, burns, or other injuries, can be upsetting, and so can scars left behind after surgery. We start by listening to what you want to change, then build an individualized plan to get there.
Our Scar Revision Treatments
Treatment is tailored to the scar and your goals, and often combines more than one approach:
- Surgical revision — for scars from trauma or prior surgery, the old scar can be carefully excised and re-closed with meticulous technique to improve both appearance and function
- Steroid injections — injected directly into thickened, painful, or itchy scars to ease symptoms and soften the scar; because they’re placed locally, side effects are usually limited to color change or thinning
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) injections — an option for thickened, painful, or itchy scars that doesn’t cause thinning or lightening, and works well combined with steroid injections. Dr. Beal is one of the few dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons using this medication for scars. It can cause temporary darkening, and it is not appropriate during pregnancy, tell your provider if you are or may become pregnant
- Fat grafting — restores volume to depressed scars and can aid scar rehabilitation, using the body’s own fat as a lasting filler
- Fillers — for scars that have lost volume, fillers can help restore it, chosen based on a full scar assessment
- Laser resurfacing & microneedling — improve scar texture by stimulating new collagen, often as a complementary step
Scar Revision Before and After Photos
Every photo is from one of Dr. Beal’s patients. Results vary.
A Combination Approach
Many scars improve most when more than one technique is used together, for example, surgically revising a traumatic scar and then refining its texture with resurfacing, or combining 5-FU and steroid injections for a thickened scar. Dr. Beal’s reconstructive background shapes how these are sequenced, and the plan is tailored to your scar, your symptoms, and what you want to achieve. The goal is a scar that looks and functions better, with an honest conversation about what’s realistic.
Results vary. A consultation is required to determine which treatments are appropriate for you, and treatment plans are individualized. Scar revision can improve the appearance, texture, and symptoms of a scar; results develop over time and differ from person to person.
Schedule a Scar Revision Consultation in Troy, MO
If a surgical or traumatic scar is affecting how you look, feel, or move, an evaluation is the first step toward improving it. We welcome patients from across the region, including O’Fallon and St. Charles, at our Troy office, and our second location in Chesterfield. Call (314) 834-1400 or request a consultation online.
Common questions
Scar Revision FAQs.
Can a scar be completely removed?
Scar revision improves a scar, it makes it less noticeable and can relieve symptoms, but no treatment erases a scar entirely. With the right approach, often a combination, many patients see substantial improvement in how a scar looks and feels. We’ll set realistic expectations for your specific scar at your consultation.
What kinds of scars do you treat here?
This page covers surgical, traumatic, and injury scars. We also treat acne scars, raised keloid and hypertrophic scars, and discolored scars, each has its own dedicated treatment, so your plan starts by identifying the type of scar you have.
Is scar revision surgery painful?
Surgical revision is done with local anesthesia so the procedure itself is comfortable, and injectable treatments involve only brief discomfort. Your provider will explain what to expect and how recovery works for the specific approach in your plan.
What is 5-FU, and why is it notable?
5-fluorouracil is a medication injected into thickened, painful, or itchy scars. Unlike steroids, it doesn’t thin or lighten the skin, and it works well alongside steroid injections. Dr. Beal is one of relatively few dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons who use it for scars. It can cause temporary darkening and isn’t appropriate during pregnancy.
How many treatments will I need?
It depends on the scar and the approach. Injectable treatments are often repeated over several visits; surgical revision is a single procedure that may be followed by texture work like resurfacing. Your plan, and its likely timeline, is set together at your consultation.
Improving how a scar looks and feels.
Surgical and traumatic scar revision, injections, fat grafting, and resurfacing, under a double board-certified dermatologist. Troy, MO, and Chesterfield now open.