One of the ways to remove deep pitted scars sometimes known as ice pick scars is to have a punch biopsy. A punch biopsy is most often an in office procedure done under local anesthesia. A punch is a surgical tool that looks like small cookie cutter. Sizes of punches range from 1.5mm and up. To remove the scar the physician chooses the punch size to match the scar size. The scar is then removed and the edges surrounding the scar are then sutured together. The new scar that forms is most often less noticeable than the original.
Sometimes the physician will choose to do a punch excision with a skin graft. This procedure is done as above, however a piece of skin, generally taken from behind the ear with a punch tool, is then inserted into the opening. The area then heals without the use of a suture. Once healed the color and texture of the treated area may appear different to the surrounding tissue. Once completely healed skin resurfacing can help to eliminate the variation in color and texture.
Punch excisions can be done alone or also in combination with other scar removal techniques to provide an aesthetically pleasing result. |
