Scar Management - Specialist Aftercare

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the cadogan clinic passionate about scar management?

Damage to the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin, will heal without scarring. However, as soon as an incision enters the deeper layer of the skin then scarring is inevitable. The wound heals by the production of collagen, which in fact is scar tissue. We aim to achieve sound healing with a minimum amount of collagen formation. A new, young scar is pink and sometimes raised or hypertrophic and with time will fade to a mature white. We aim to reduce the time of maturation.

There are a number of people who produce scars which do not mature, but continue growing and become keloid. Patients with darker skin, or much paler skin and red hair, are more likely to produce poor scars. They will usually have some previous experience of this. Such patients can still undergo surgery, but have to be treated with special care.

What is the cadogan clinic scar management programme?

The Cadogan Clinic has a specific After Surgery Regime available to all patients and is of particular importance for patients with long scars in important areas, such as a face lift, breast or abdominal surgery. We are also able to treat patients who have a problem with poor scars. We believe that prevention is the proper response and have made specific treatments available, such as the Icon Laser combined with a bespoke treatment plan depending on the patient needs.

What are our surgeons doing to ensure better scars?

Our Surgeons can influence the quality of the scar by choosing the optimum position and orientation. For instance, a vertical scar in front of the ear will be a good scar, while a transverse scar across the cheek will be a poor scar. Our Surgeons aim to keep the scar as short as possible and to repair the wound with appropriate stitches. Any conventional stitch through the skin will need to be removed early to avoid stitch marks. In many areas of the body the Surgeon will choose use dissolving suture materials under the skin, thus avoiding stitch marks altogether.

Any signs of slow healing or infection are treated promptly by our expert team. Prolonged redness or raised keloid scars are treated early, as well as patients with olive or darker skin may develop extra pigmentation around the scar, called post-inflammatory inflammation (PID).

What can I do to achieve a better scar?

Patients with chronic disease need to be in the best possible condition ahead of surgery. For instance, diabetes should be well controlled to avoid infection, anaemia should be treated to speed healing. Nutrition should be good. Obese patients tend to heal poorly and suffer more infections, whilst under nourished patients may be short of vitamins need to assist healing and recovery.

Our patients are generally fit and well-nourished and are unlikely to be deficient in vitamins or other elements and need not adjust their diet. Smoking is always bad for healing and patients undergoing face lifts, breast reductions and lifts and abdominal reductions should stop smoking three weeks before surgery. If smokers are also over weight then the risk is greatly increased.

Scars tend to be sun sensitive although healing is not delayed. It is patients with olive or darker skin who need particularly to avoid sunshine or to use a factor 50 sunblock. All our patients should be using the silicone dressing supplied to them which incorporates a sun factor (Kelocote SF).

Exercise will tension the wound and should therefore be reduced within the first two weeks, however some patients will be prepared to sacrifice the quality of the scar in order to maintain exercise. These will include our professional athletes who need to be back within days. Patients who wish to go back to the gym early should discuss this with the Surgeon before so they can accommodate and adjust the type of suture material used.

A state of the art, award winning clinic.

Founded in 2004 by world renowned plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

About Us

Best in Class Facilities

All of our treatments take place at our beautiful boutique premises in Chelsea. We have six consulting rooms and five operating rooms, as well as a dedicated pre and post-operative suite, and a full team of specialist nursing staff.

Our Clinic

A Strong Tradition of Innovation

We were founded in 2004 by world renown plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, best known for his pioneering work in the area of liposuction, lasers and microvascular surgery. We continue to collaborate with pioneers in our field.

Our History

At Home in Sloane Street, London

We are proud that our state of the art award-winning clinic is located in one of the best neighbourhoods in the country

Welcome to Sloane Street

Clinics Nationwide

We offer surgical consultations in London, Birmingham, Chelmsford and Bristol, and attract international patients from all corners of the globe such as as the USA, the Middle East and Europe.

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Scar Management Programme

Frequently Asked Questions

A state of the art, award winning clinic.