Deutsch
Español
Français
العربية
Română
Русский
Scar revision in Istanbul
For scars that are raised, wide, discoloured or pulling, after an injury or an earlier operation. This page explains which treatments can help, when to act and what to expect. Scars can be improved, but never erased.
- Operation time Depends on the size and type of scar
- Hospital stay Small revisions under local are usually day cases
- Time in Istanbul Set by your surgeon; first healing takes 1–2 weeks
- Back to work Depends on the site; your surgeon advises
What is scar revision?
Scar revision is a group of surgical and non-surgical treatments that reduce how noticeable a scar is or relieve a problem it causes, such as restricted movement. No treatment can erase a scar; the aim is a flatter, narrower, paler or better-placed line. Options range from silicone, pressure and steroid injections to laser and surgical excision, often combined. Most scars take 12–18 months to mature, so surgery is usually considered after about a year. After surgical revision, first healing takes 1–2 weeks.
What it can do
- Make a scar flatter, narrower or closer to your skin colour
- Release a tight scar that limits movement, or redirect it along the skin's natural lines
- Reduce raised (hypertrophic) scars and keloids, usually with combined treatment
What it cannot do
- Erase a scar: a line always remains, only fainter
- Work well on a fresh scar; most need 12–18 months to mature first
- Stop a keloid returning if surgery is used on its own
Is it right for you?
Scar revision suits people bothered by how a scar looks or by the way it limits movement, ideally once it has matured. Each type of scar needs a different approach, so suitability is assessed in person.
Usually a good fit if
- A raised, wide, sunken or discoloured scar from an injury or earlier surgery
- A scar that pulls and limits movement, for example across a joint or on the neck
- Scars from earlier body surgery, such as a tummy tuck or caesarean section
- Not smoking, and realistic expectations
Better to wait or consider alternatives if
- Hoping the scar will disappear completely
- A young scar that is still maturing; waiting often gives a better result
- Smoking that you cannot stop, as it impairs wound healing
Techniques
Most scars do better with a combination of treatments. Non-surgical methods come first for many; surgery is added when the shape or position of the scar needs to change.
Silicone and pressure
Silicone gel or sheets are worn 12–24 hours a day for months; a Cochrane review found some improvement in thickness and colour, though the studies were weak. Pressure garments are worn for long periods.
Best for
Raised scars, and new scars once healed
Steroid injections
Triamcinolone is injected into the scar, usually every 4–6 weeks, to reduce collagen build-up. Cleveland Clinic describes it as the most effective option for raised scars and keloids; it can be combined with 5-fluorouracil.
Best for
Hypertrophic scars and keloids
Laser, microneedling and peels
Lasers can reduce redness and improve texture, and RF microneedling, dermabrasion or peels smooth surface irregularities. Expect 24–72 hours of redness after microneedling.
Best for
Colour and surface texture
Surgical revision
The old scar is cut out and closed with less tension. Z-plasty or W-plasty changes its direction or breaks up a straight line; flaps release contractures, and tissue expansion helps with larger areas.
Best for
Wide, deep or badly placed scars and contractures
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker
Specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Specialist training: Dokuz Eylül University
- Medical degree: Trakya University
- Health tourism authorization: ST-2657
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
How Dr. İlker approaches scar revision
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker starts with expectations. She makes clear that a scar cannot disappear completely: the aim is to make it as inconspicuous as possible, and if you hope for a scar that vanishes, she explains why that cannot happen before anything is planned.
She plans revisions around skin tension lines: scars that follow them heal better, while those running across them are pulled by the muscles beneath. Functional problems, such as a scar that limits neck movement or eyelid closure, are reasons for revision in their own right.
- Early steroid treatment For a wide, raised scar she may try steroid injections in the first weeks, repeated a few weeks apart.
- Six months of sun protection After a revision, Dr. İlker advises protecting the area from the sun for at least 6 months.
- Soft, protected healing Covering dressings and a wound ointment keep the healing scar soft.
The operation, step by step
For a surgical revision, the usual sequence is:
-
Assessment
The scar type (raised, keloid, sunken or contracted), its maturity and your goals are assessed.
-
Anaesthesia
Most revisions use local anaesthetic; larger ones may need sedation or a general anaesthetic.
-
Excision
The old scar is removed; Z-plasty, W-plasty or a flap may change its direction or release tension.
-
Closure
The wound is closed in layers with as little tension as possible, along skin tension lines where it can be.
-
Supporting treatment
Dressings and ointment are applied; steroid injections, silicone or, for keloids, radiotherapy may follow.
Your days in Istanbul
The guidance we follow gives no specific travel rule after scar revision. First healing takes 1–2 weeks, and your surgeon sets your return date.
-
Assessment
Before treatment
Arrive early enough for the in-person assessment and any tests before the treatment day.
-
Revision and dressings
Treatment day
Small revisions under local anaesthetic are usually day cases. You leave with dressings and care instructions.
-
Check-up
Before you fly home
Your surgeon checks the wound, confirms when you can travel and explains the scar care to continue at home.
Recovery, day by day
Typical milestones after surgical revision. Non-surgical treatments have shorter recoveries but often need repeating.
- Day 1
Dressings
Expect local swelling, colour change and mild discomfort under a dressing and ointment.
- Days 2–3
Home care
Swelling and discomfort continue; follow the cleaning and dressing instructions.
- Week 1
First healing
Early healing takes 1–2 weeks; any stitches are removed on your surgeon's schedule.
- Week 2
Starting silicone
Once healed, silicone gel or sheets may be started to support the new scar.
- Weeks 3–4
Fading begins
The new scar slowly flattens and fades over the following weeks.
- Months 2–3
Injections if needed
If the scar thickens, steroid injections every 4–6 weeks may be used, with silicone or pressure.
- Month 6
Sun protection
Keep protecting the area from the sun for at least 6 months; the improvement becomes clearer.
- Month 12
A mature scar
The new scar takes about a year to heal and fade fully; maturing can continue to 18 months.
Contact us straight away if you notice
- Increasing redness, heat, swelling or pain, or discharge from the wound
- Fever or feeling unwell
- Bleeding that soaks through the dressing, or a wound that opens
- Blistering, burns or severe pain after a laser or peel treatment
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Aftercare at home
- Keep the dressing clean and follow the cleaning instructions.
- Use covering dressings and ointment as advised to keep the scar soft while it heals.
- Protect the area from the sun for at least 6 months.
- Once healed, use silicone gel or sheets 12–24 hours a day if recommended.
- Avoid stretching or rubbing the area while it heals.
Risks and how they are reduced
With scars, the main risk is that the result falls short of what you hoped. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that one procedure may not give the optimal result, and further treatment may be needed.
Waiting for the scar to mature, matching the method to the scar type, closing with minimal tension along skin lines, adding injections or radiotherapy for keloids, not smoking and sun protection all improve the odds of a good result.
| Risk | How often |
|---|---|
Less improvement than hopedThe scar may improve less than expected, and more than one procedure may be needed. | Varies |
Keloid recurrenceKeloids cut out on their own came back in 45% or more of cases in published studies. Adding radiotherapy lowered recurrence to about 14–18% in a 2026 review, though radiotherapy itself caused complications in 9–18%. | Common |
Colour change and prolonged swellingThe area can stay discoloured or swollen for longer than expected. | Varies |
Effects of non-surgical treatmentLasers, peels and injections can cause redness, swelling, blistering or sun sensitivity; redness for 24–72 hours after microneedling is expected. | Common |
Need for repeat treatmentInjectable treatments last from 3 months to several years and often need repeating. | Common |
Results and how long they last
The improvement becomes clearer over several months; after surgery, the new scar takes about a year to heal and fade fully, and sometimes one treatment is not enough. Surgical results are long-lasting, while injectable treatments may need repeating and keloids can return. Results vary from person to person.
How long it lasts: Surgical improvement lasts; injectable effects and keloid control may need repeating.
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results vary from person to person. We recommend a detailed consultation with your doctor before any procedure.
Before and after
Before and after photos are shared only with patients’ written consent. You can ask to see examples during your consultation.
Before and afterQuestions to ask at your consultation
Take these to any surgeon you see — including us.
- What type of scar do I have, and is it mature enough to treat?
- Which treatments do you suggest, in what order, and why?
- How much improvement is realistic for my scar?
- For a keloid, how will you reduce the chance of it coming back?
- What scar care should I continue at home, and for how long?
- What is included in the plan and quote?
What shapes your plan and quote
We do not publish prices. After your assessment you receive a personal written plan setting out the treatments and what is included.
- The size, type and location of the scar
- Whether surgery, injections, laser or a combination is needed
- The number of sessions
- The type of anaesthesia and where the procedure takes place
We do not publish prices: every plan is personal and is written for you after your assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Can a scar be removed completely?
No. Revision makes scars less noticeable, flatter, narrower or better placed, but it cannot erase them. Any treatment that cuts the skin leaves a new line, planned to be finer and better positioned than the old one. Be wary of anyone who promises otherwise.
How long after surgery can I have scar revision?
Usually after about a year. Most scars take 12–18 months to mature, and young scars respond poorly to revision. Surgery is generally considered after about a year and lasers or microneedling after 12–18 months, although raised scars may be injected with steroids earlier.
Will a keloid come back after surgery?
It can. Keloids cut out on their own came back in 45% or more of cases in published studies. Adding steroid injections or radiotherapy reduces recurrence; with radiotherapy, a 2026 review found about 14–18%. That is why keloid surgery should be planned with additional treatment.
Does silicone gel work on scars?
It can help. A Cochrane review found that silicone sheeting improved scar thickness and colour, but the studies were of low quality, and the evidence for preventing scars was weak. It is worn 12–24 hours a day, often for several months.
Can a laser remove my scar?
No, but it can make scars less noticeable by improving their colour and texture. International scar guidelines describe lasers as a front-line treatment, often combined with other methods such as injections or surgery. Temporary redness, swelling or blistering can follow treatment.
Can a tummy tuck or caesarean scar be revised?
Yes. Thick scars and small folds of skin at the ends of a tummy tuck scar, sometimes called dog ears, can be improved with revision, usually after waiting about a year. A caesarean scar can also be included in the new scar during a tummy tuck.
Do scar creams work?
Silicone products have more evidence behind them than other creams. Products such as onion extract show promising but limited results. A cream will not change a scar's width or position; for that, injections, laser or surgery are needed, often in combination.
Why do some people scar badly?
Skin type, location and direction all matter. People with darker skin, or very fair, freckled skin and red hair, are more prone to raised scars and keloids. Scars on the mid-chest and shoulders tend to heal worse, while the face and neck usually heal well.
How long does recovery take?
After surgical revision, expect swelling, colour change and some discomfort for 1–2 weeks. The new scar thins and fades over the following weeks and takes about a year to settle fully. Protect it from the sun for at least 6 months.
How long should I stay in Istanbul?
The guidance we follow sets no specific travel rule after scar revision. The first healing takes 1–2 weeks. Arrive in time for the in-person assessment, and your surgeon confirms when you can fly after checking the wound and explaining your aftercare.
Medical informationThe information on this page is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or treatment. Every surgical and interventional procedure carries risks, which will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. Whether this procedure suits you can only be decided after an in-person examination and assessment. We encourage you to also seek independent advice from your own doctor before deciding.
Sources
- ASPS: Scar revision
- ASPS: An exploration of scar revision surgery applications
- Cleveland Clinic: Scar revision
- BAAPS: Scars and keloids
- O'Brien and Jones. Silicone gel sheeting, Cochrane review (2013)
- Gold et al. International scar management recommendations (2014)
- Seth et al. Radiotherapy after keloid excision (2026)
A conversation, at your pace.
Would you like an honest view of your scar?
Tell us about your scar and how it formed. A consultation can explain which treatments could help and how much change is realistic.
- Nef 22 Ataköy, D Blok, Kat 1, Daire 36, Çobançeşme E-5 Yanyol Cad. No:22, Bakırköy / İstanbul
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- +90 542 280 27 51
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
Thank you — your question has reached the clinic.
The team will reply using the contact details you gave. If you would like to talk sooner, continue on WhatsApp — your request is already written for you.
Continue on WhatsApp