Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular choices for plastic surgery among patients, but around 10% of rhinoplasty patients choose to get another one once they’ve recovered. This is usually for one of two reasons: the original nose job needs a touch up to improve or round out the primary procedure, or the primary procedure was done poorly and the nose needs drastic improvement. Revision rhinoplasty can help former rhinoplasty patients get the nose they truly want, but not without some obstacles. One of those obstacles is the formation of scar tissue.
How Does Scar Tissue Form?
When your body suffers an injury that tears, cuts, or rips the skin, fibroblast cells are deployed to begin making repairs. These cells start pulling together collagen fibers and other proteins to knit the skin back together. While your skin is healing, it has a redder appearance and is noticeably thicker than the surrounding tissue. Once it completely recovers from the injury, scar tissue starts to look whiter in color.
The way that scar tissue forms varies among individuals. Some people develop scar tissue that is really thick and noticeable; others have scars that are thinner and blend in better with the surrounding skin. It isn’t really clear what causes scars to vary so much, but there are several factors that can influence the formation of scar tissue, including age, skin elasticity, genetics, skin pigmentation, and the injury itself.
Why Does Scar Tissue Affect My Revision Rhinoplasty?
This tissue forms to help strengthen and heal your skin after it is injured. It has to be tougher and thicker than your normal skin tissue to prevent the injury from getting infected or opening up again. In a small area like the inside of your nose, tough and thick skin can make it difficult for the rhinoplasty surgeon to manipulate or shape the skin so that your nose looks aesthetically appealing. Scar tissue can also buckle or change its shape over time, something that needs to be considered by the surgeon in order to give you the best nose possible.
Revision rhinoplasty is still totally possible, even when the patient has excessive amounts of scar tissue from previous surgery or injury; the tissue just requires a skilled plastic surgeon that has the ability to work around that obstacle.
Is There Any Way I Can Minimize the Effect of My Scar Tissue?
The best way you can minimize the effect of your scar tissue is to take very good care of your skin. When your skin is healthy, it is much easier for the surgeon to work with and makes your recovery from revision rhinoplasty easier. Rhinoplasty scars are usually inside your nose, but they will still reap the benefits of your excellent skin care.
Another way to keep your scars from affecting your revision rhinoplasty is to allow plenty of time between the procedures. Scar tissue softens over time, which makes it easier to manipulate during surgery.
Choosing a Revision Rhinoplasty Surgeon
Scar tissue is only one of the challenges faced by plastic surgeons during revision rhinoplasty, so it’s very important that you choose a surgeon who knows what they’re doing. One who is board-certified and specializes in revision rhinoplasty with a great deal of experience in both primary and revision rhinoplasty will be your best option.
Dr. Andres Bustillo is a board-certified facial and reconstructive plastic surgeon who has been practicing for over ten years. Nasal surgeries, such as rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty, make up the majority of his practice. Dr. Bustillo sees rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty patients from all over world and is known as one of the best facial plastic surgeons in Florida. His conservative approach allows him to give his patients a quality experience and amazing, natural-looking results without overdoing the surgery.
If you are interested in scheduling a revision rhinoplasty patient consultation with Dr. Bustillo, call his office in Coral Gables, FL at (305) 663-3380 or send an email through his Contact page.