Operative Scar, Skin and Rejuvenation Treatments
At Thames Valley Scar Clinic, we thoroughly evaluate your skin concerns, considering every aspect from appearance to functionality and psychological impact. Our focus is on addressing your individual needs and crafting a bespoke treatment plan, which may well encompass operative treatments including surgery and advanced laser treatments.
Here are some of the Operative Treatments we may recommend.
Fractionated ablative Carbon Dioxide Laser (Lumenis Ultrapulse Alpha)
What is Carbon dioxide laser?
Carbon dioxide laser treatment is an evidence-based treatment that supports the remodelling of all types of scar tissue. The treatment leads to improvements in the look, feel and sensation of the scar. This treatment can also be used on different settings to trigger a rejuvenating effect to the skin. It consistently improves skin damage, skin texture and tone, producing an energised look.
Recovery Time
Approx 2 weeks
Number of Sessions needed
Scars 1-3. Facial rejuvenation just 1.
Type of anaesthetic
Most scars and all facial rejuvenation are performed as local anaesthetic, day case procedures. Larger areas of scarring may need general anaesthetic and potential an overnight stay.
Where will it happen
All local anaesthetic cases at the Thames Valley Scar Clinic. All requiring general anaesthetic will be at a partner private hospital.
What are the benefits of carbon dioxide laser?
- Well researched
- Quick
- For rejuvenation, only one treatment required
- Mostly done as an outpatient procedure
- Short down time in comparison to surgery
Am I a good candidate for carbon dioxide laser?
- People with itchy, inflamed, lumpy or tight scars
- People with acne scars
- People with fine lines and wrinkles
- People with loosening of facial skin
- People with loose eyelid skin or benign skin lesions
What are the risks or complications from ablative carbon dioxide laser?
- Change in pigmentation
- Delayed healing
- Reactivation of virus (Herpes Simplex)
- Varied response
“The Lumenis Ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser has revolutionised scar-treatment and has improved the quality of life for so many patients I have looked after. Transferring this technology to age-related change is a game-changer.”
Alex Atkins-Murray
IPL Lumenis M22
What is IPL Lumenis M22?
Intense Pulse light treatment uses light of different wavelengths to target skin pigment and vessels. It has a variety of settings to treat various conditions and is one of the treatments on the Lumenis M22 machine.
The main conditions this is particularly useful is for superficial vascular changes in the skin (telangiectasias, rosacea, vascular lesions) and hyper pigmentation (darker patches, including age spots and lentigo). As a result of this and its ability to enhance skin tone it is a fantastic choice for rejuvenation, treating the first signs of age related skin damage
Recovery Time
Approx 2-3 days
Number of Sessions needed
Usually 3-4 sessions
Type of anaesthetic
No anaesthetic is usually required, this is a day case procedure.
Where will it happen
Thames Valley Scar Clinic.
What are the benefits of IPL Lumenis M22?
- Quick
- Comfortable with contact cooling
- Minimal downtime
- Well researched
- Versatile
Am I a good candidate for IPL Lumenis M22?
- A good first step for skin rejuvenation to improve tone
- Effective for people with Rosacea and superficial vascular change
- Good for people with age related facial hair (or unwanted hair elsewhere)
- Good for unwanted pigmentation
- Great in combination with the carbon dioxide laser to enhance rejuvenation effect (‘Photo fabulous’)
What are the risks or complications from IPL Lumenis M22?
- Change in pigmentation
- Delayed healing
- Reactivation of virus (Herpes Simplex)
- Varied response
“IPL technology stands out for its versatility and in combination with the carbon dioxide laser gives cutting edge results for rejuvenation.”
Alex Atkins-Murray
Nd:YAG (Lumenis M22 Laser)
What is Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser?
Nd:YAG Laser is a solid state laser that is capable of penetrating deep into the skin. It is readily absorbed by melanin (pigment cells) and haemoglobin (red blood cells). It is one of the treatments on the Lumenis M22 machine.
It is the ideal treatment for deeper vascular or pigment changes in the skin such as, visible veins, vascular malformations, and tattoos. It is also useful for unwanted hair and hyperpigmentation in all skin types.
Recovery Time
Approx 2-3 days
Number of Sessions needed
Approx 3-4.
Type of anaesthetic
This is a local anaesthetic day case procedure.
Where will it happen
Thames Valley Scar Clinic.
What are the benefits of Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser?
- Comfortable with contact cooling
- Good in people with Fitzpatrick type 3 skin type and above
- Deep penetration means ideal for deeper vascular change
- Effective in dark tattooing of skin
- Great for very dark pigmentation change in the skin
Am I a good candidate for Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser?
- People of all skin types, including those with Fitzpatrick type 3 and above
- People with deep visible vessels
- People who want an alternative to surgical excision of a vascular or deep pigmented lesions
- People that have tattooing of the skin either from trauma or previous procedures
What are the risks or complications from Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser?
- Change in pigmentation
- Delayed healing
- Reactivation of virus (Herpes Simplex)
- Varied response
“The Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser has been a stalwart for the deeper vascular lesions over the years. In addition with it being universally effective in all Fitzpatrick skin types for hyperpigmentation its means we have the ability to treat all our patients .”
Alex Atkins-Murray
Dermabrasion and RECELL®
What is Dermabrasion and RECELL®?
Dermabrasion is effective in removing or refreshing overly or under-pigmented areas of skin e.g at a site of a previous injury, sun-damage or vitiligo. An alternative to dermabrasion is the carbon dioxide laser.
ReCell® is a point-of-care autologous therapy using a small patch of your own skin to produce a suspension of spray-on-skin cells. The spray-on-skin cells, from an undamaged or unaffected site are sprayed onto the refreshed surface, in order to promote better colour or pigmentation change longer term.
Recovery Time
Approx 2 weeks
Number of Sessions needed
Usually 1 session, but can be repeated
Type of anaesthetic
This can be local or general anaesthetic depending on size, and is a day case procedure.
Where will it happen
Partner private hospital. Can be done at Thames Valley Scar Clinic if under LA and using laser to resurface.
What are the benefits of Dermabrasion and RECELL®
- Restores skin pigmentation in a natural and safe way
- Avoids the use of chemical based topicals
- Longevity of new pigmentation
- Ability to repeat in same or other areas
- Well researched and FDA approved for pigment change
Am I a good candidate for Dermabrasion and RECELL®?
- People with stable vitiligo (off dermatologically prescribed medication)
- People with established hypo-pigmentation secondary to trauma, burns or sun damage
- People with established hyper-pigmentation secondary to trauma, burns or sun damage
What are the risks or complications from Dermabrasion and RECELL®?
- Ongoing abnormal pigmentation/mixed result
- Delayed healing
- Infection
- Pain
Resurfacing and RECELL® is the most reliable treatment option for patients with resistant hypo-pigmentation, whatever the cause and it is an effective bedside tool.
Alex Atkins-Murray
Scar Excision and Re-orientation
What is Scar Excision and Re-orientation?
Despite good care of a scar and using simple techniques, like massage or silicone gel, a scar can remain unsatisfactory. This is particularly true if the scar goes in a direction that causes disruption of key aesthetic features or causes contraction across a joint.
‘Scar excision’ refers to surgically removing the troublesome scar. ‘Re-orientation’ uses techniques to change the direction and in many cases add length to the scar. The change in direction and eliminating the contracture often make the scar more acceptable to the patient, both functionally and aesthetically.
Recovery Time
Approx 2 weeks
Number of Sessions needed
Usually just 1 procedure.
Type of anaesthetic
General or local anaesthetic depending on the location, size of scar and patient preference. This is a daycase procedure.
Where will it happen
Thames Valley Scar Clinic or a partner private hospital depending on anaesthetic type and complexity.
What are the benefits of Scar Excision and Re-orientation?
- The only technique that changes the direction of a scar
- Only needs to be done once
- Classic reconstructive surgery technique
- Great at lengthening scars – making them less contracted
- Reliable results
Am I a good candidate for Scar Excision and Re-orientation?
- Primary treatment for people with linear scars on their face in an unacceptable orientation
- Excellent for people with linear contractures that are causing tightness, especially across joints
- Good for people that have unstable scars (areas of skin breakdown)
- Only an option if you have adjacent good quality skin
What are the risks or complications from Scar Excision and Re-orientation?
- Bleeding
- Delayed healing, or wound breakdown
- Infection
- Skin flap tip necrosis
“Scar excision and re-orientation are a fundamental reconstructive tool in plastic surgery that I have used with excellent effect to benefit my patients many times. “
Alex Atkins-Murray
Scar release (or excision) and reconstruction with skin grafts, flaps or skin substitutes
What is Scar release (or excision) and reconstruction?
Sometimes when a scar is larger it causes a limitation in movement or is prone to opening up to form a wound (we call this unstable). To release or remove (excision) this scar will result in a ‘defect’ or gap in skin. The defect can be reconstructed using a number of techniques, depending on the site of the problem, the surrounding skin quality and your personal preference after discussing options.
These types of procedures are for those patients with complex and significant scarring. This is highly specialised surgery.
Skin Grafts
Skin that is raised and transferred from a donor site to a recipient site, vascularised through contact with the host bed – a process know as ‘take’.
Skin Flaps
Skin that is raised and transferred from a donor site to a recipient site based on a vascular supply that must be preserved.
Dermal Substitutes
Dermal substitute is a name given to any synthetic skin replacement used to reconstruct wounds, these can be used for emergency treatment (e.g burns) or later reconstruction. They are used with a skin graft.
Recovery Time
Variable, often weeks to months
Number of Sessions needed
Depends on technique but 1-2, and may also require secondary treatments
Type of anaesthetic
General anaesthetic, some smaller areas can be treated under local anaesthetic. Some patients may require an inpatient stay.
Where will it happen
Usually at a partner private hospital.
What are the benefits of Scar release (or excision) and reconstruction?
- Reliable at treating functional scar related issues
- Will address even the most significant contracture
- Allows for replacement of irreversibly damaged tissue
- Can be used in conjunction with other techniques
- Aims to improve the quality of skin including elasticity
Am I a good candidate for Scar release (or excision) and reconstruction?
- Effective at treating scars that limit movement of joints and limbs
- These techniques are often used in patients who have had major or deep burns
- People with broad scar contracture without adjacent loose skin
- Gold standard for replacing poor quality scar tissue
- Can be useful when scars distort facial features significantly
What are the risks or complications from Scar release (or excision) and reconstruction?
- General anaesthetic risk
- Delayed healing
- Infection
- Partial or total flap or graft failure
“This surgery is highly specialised, and is most likely suited to people who have had a significant injury. The armamentarium of techniques available to me as a consultant plastic surgeon enables me to address complex scar issues. This is not just related to the scar but about people’s preference and getting it right for them.”
Alex Atkins-Murray