Whenever the skin sustains damage, there is the possibility of scarring. As a child, skinning your knee may result in a scar. The same is true of surgery, even cosmetic surgery, regardless of the skill of your surgeon. Making an incision in the skin, which typically requires cutting through all of the layers of the skin, can result in scarring, regardless of where on the body surgery is performed.
Of course, surgery performed by a less skilled surgeon may result in a greater degree of scarring, but many times the skill of the surgeon has no effect on the amount of scarring that takes place.
Why doesn’t the skill of the surgeon make a difference in many cases? Because your surgeon cannot control all the factors that determine how badly you will scar. Certain factors beyond your control influence your ability to heal without scarring. These risk factors cannot be changed, but help determine if you will scar badly after your procedure.
If you are seriously concerned about scarring, consider discussing the following methods of scar minimization and prevention with your surgeon. Your surgeon may be able to prescribe additional treatments that lower your chances of scarring.