Not every surgical concern requires a major operation. Small scars, localized contour irregularities, minor tissue excess, and selected concerns following previous surgery or injury can often be addressed with a limited surgical procedure.
At Cabo Plastic Surgery, Dr. Roberto López Konschot evaluates each concern individually to determine what can realistically be improved and whether treatment can be performed under local anesthesia in the office.
Scar revision is an important part of this approach. Although a scar cannot be completely erased, selected scars may be made narrower, flatter, better positioned, or less noticeable.
Minor surgical corrections are limited procedures designed to improve a specific, localized concern, often under local anesthesia in the office.
Examples include:
Small corrections following previous surgery
Localized skin or soft-tissue excess
Minor contour irregularities or asymmetry
Small folds at the end of an incision (dog-ears)
Selected nipple or areola corrections
Revision of widened, depressed, irregular, or poorly positioned scars
Selected corrections following injury, biopsy, or lesion removal
Even a small correction creates a new scar or other surgical trade-off. Dr. López Konschot will therefore determine whether the expected improvement justifies the procedure and whether a limited correction is sufficient.
| Procedure | Minor Surgical Correction / Scar Revision |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Improve selected scars, localized tissue concerns, minor contour irregularities, or small areas requiring correction |
| Technique | Individualized; may include scar revision, limited skin or soft-tissue correction, or local tissue rearrangement |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia for many minor procedures; other anesthesia may be appropriate for more extensive corrections |
| Setting | Office for selected procedures; surgical facility or hospital when required |
| Procedure Time | Varies according to the type and extent of correction |
| Downtime | Usually limited for smaller office-based procedures |
| Return to Work | Often relatively quick for non-strenuous work, depending on the treated area |
| Exercise | Restricted as needed to protect the incision during healing |
| Results | Develop gradually as swelling resolves and the scar matures |
| Scarring | Scar revision can improve an existing scar but cannot eliminate scarring completely |
| Starting Cost | From $1,500 USD for selected limited procedures performed under local anesthesia in the office |
Scars can result from surgery, injury, burns, biopsies, or other procedures. While most improve with time, some remain widened, raised, depressed, irregular, poorly positioned, or more noticeable than desired.
Scar revision cannot erase a scar. The goal is to make it narrower, flatter, smoother, better positioned, or less noticeable in relation to the surrounding skin and anatomy.
Scar revision may be considered for:
Widened or stretched scars
Raised or thickened scars
Depressed or tethered scars
Irregular or poorly positioned scars
Scars that distort the surrounding skin or contour
Because scars continue to mature for several months, immediate surgical revision is not always appropriate. In some cases, additional healing or nonsurgical treatment may be recommended first.
Depending on the type of scar, treatment may include:
Surgical excision and re-closure for selected widened, irregular, or poorly positioned scars
ResurFX® fractional laser to improve selected scar texture and appearance
Triamcinolone injections for selected raised or hypertrophic scars
A combination of treatments when appropriate
Keloids and recurrent raised scars require particular consideration, as recurrence can occur even after treatment.
Treatment depends on the type of scar and what aspect of it needs improvement. Many scar treatments and limited surgical revisions can be performed in the office.
For selected widened, irregular, depressed, or poorly positioned scars, the existing scar may be surgically excised and carefully re-closed. In some cases, deeper scar tissue is released or local tissue is rearranged to improve contour or scar position.
ResurFX® non-ablative fractional laser may be used for selected scars to improve texture and overall scar appearance by stimulating collagen remodeling.
Laser treatment may be used alone or combined with other scar treatments depending on the scar's characteristics.
For selected raised or hypertrophic scars, triamcinolone injections may help flatten and soften the scar.
Treatment may require more than one session, and the dose and treatment interval are individualized. Keloids require careful evaluation because of their tendency to recur.
Some scars have more than one component. When appropriate, surgical revision, ResurFX®, and/or triamcinolone injections may be combined or performed in stages to address different aspects of the scar.
The treatment is selected according to the scar—not every scar requires surgery.
Minor surgical correction or scar revision may be appropriate for patients who:
Have a specific, localized concern that can reasonably be improved
Are in good overall health
Have realistic expectations about the degree of improvement and resulting scar
Have allowed adequate healing and scar maturation when appropriate
Do not smoke or use nicotine, or can discontinue as instructed
For concerns following previous surgery, Dr. López Konschot can evaluate the area regardless of where the original procedure was performed.
Some concerns may improve with additional healing, while others may require a more extensive revision than an office-based procedure. The appropriate approach is determined during evaluation.
During your consultation, Dr. López Konschot will evaluate the area of concern, surrounding tissues, previous surgery or injury, and your goals to determine the most appropriate treatment.
Depending on the concern, treatment may involve minor surgical correction, scar revision, ResurFX® laser, triamcinolone injections, or a combination of approaches.
Many limited procedures can be performed under local anesthesia in the office. For patients traveling to Los Cabos, a virtual consultation can begin the evaluation, with an in-person examination used when necessary to finalize treatment.
Recovery is usually limited for smaller office-based procedures and varies according to the area treated and type of correction.
Mild swelling, bruising, tenderness, or tightness may occur during early healing. Many patients can return to non-strenuous activities relatively quickly.
During recovery:
Keep the incision clean and protected
Avoid tension, strenuous exercise, or activities that stress the treated area
Follow scar-care instructions as healing progresses
Avoid swimming or submerging the treated area in pools, the ocean, hot tubs, or baths until the incision is fully closed and adequately healed
Protect the scar from sun exposure
Dr. López Konschot will advise when you can safely return to swimming, exercise, and unrestricted activity.
Scars continue to improve gradually over several months as they mature.
Results depend on the original concern, treatment performed, and individual healing.
Minor surgical corrections may show improvement early, while scars continue to change for several months. After scar revision, a new scar may initially appear red, firm, or more noticeable before gradually softening and fading.
The goal is meaningful improvement, not complete elimination of a scar or perfect symmetry. Final scar appearance and contour cannot be guaranteed.
Minor surgical corrections and scar revision are generally limited procedures, but all surgery carries potential risks.
These may include:
Bleeding or hematoma
Infection
Delayed wound healing
Changes in sensation
Unfavorable or widened scarring
Pigmentation changes
Contour irregularity or asymmetry
Recurrence of a raised or problematic scar
Incomplete improvement or need for additional treatment
Results depend partly on tissue quality, scar characteristics, nicotine exposure, and individual healing. With scar revision, the existing scar is replaced or modified by a new scar, and its final appearance cannot be guaranteed.
Minor corrections and scar revision benefit from careful surgical planning, precise tissue handling, and thoughtful scar placement.
As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Roberto López Konschot evaluates the scar or area of concern together with the surrounding anatomy and contour to determine whether surgery or a less invasive treatment is most appropriate.
When indicated, treatment may include minor surgical revision under local anesthesia, ResurFX® fractional laser, triamcinolone injections, or a combination of approaches.
The goal is to use the least extensive treatment that can provide a meaningful improvement.
No. Scar revision can improve a scar but cannot eliminate it completely. The goal is to make it less noticeable or better integrated with the surrounding skin and anatomy.
Scars continue to change for several months after surgery or injury, and additional healing may be recommended before revision. Earlier treatment may be appropriate in selected cases.
Yes. Many limited surgical corrections and scar revisions can be performed under local anesthesia in the office. More extensive procedures may require a different surgical setting or anesthesia.
Yes, depending on the scar. ResurFX® fractional laser may help improve selected scar texture and appearance, while triamcinolone injections may be used for selected raised or hypertrophic scars. Some scars benefit from a combination of treatments.
Minor surgical correction or scar revision starts at $1,500 USD for selected limited procedures performed under local anesthesia in the office. Final cost depends on the location, size, complexity, technique, and treatment required.
ResurFX® laser and triamcinolone treatments are priced separately when used alone or as part of a combined treatment plan.
Dr. Roberto López Konschot will evaluate your scar or localized concern, previous surgery or injury, and your goals to determine whether minor surgical correction, scar revision, ResurFX® laser, triamcinolone injections, or a combination is appropriate.
For patients traveling to Los Cabos, a virtual consultation can begin the evaluation, with an in-person examination when necessary to finalize treatment.
Request a ConsultationSkochdopole A, Dibbs RP, Sarrami SM, et al. Scar revisions. Semin Plast Surg. 2021;35(3):148–155.
Ogawa R. The most current algorithms for the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids: a 2020 update of the algorithms published 10 years ago. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022;149(1):79e–94e.
Bernabe RM, Won P, Lin J, et al. Combining scar-modulating agents for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids: a systematic review. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2024;88:125–140.
Gold MH, Berman B, Clementoni MT, Gauglitz GG, Nahai F, Murcia C. Updated international clinical recommendations on scar management: part 1—evaluating the evidence. Dermatol Surg. 2014;40(8):817–824.
Gold MH, McGuire M, Mustoe TA, et al. Updated international clinical recommendations on scar management: part 2—algorithms for scar prevention and treatment. Dermatol Surg. 2014;40(8):825–831.
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individual medical evaluation or consultation.
Treatment recommendations, healing, and results vary according to the type of concern, previous surgery or injury, tissue characteristics, and individual healing. Scar revision cannot completely eliminate a scar, and results cannot be guaranteed.
All surgical procedures carry potential risks. Your individual treatment options, risks, limitations, and alternatives will be discussed during your consultation.
Individual results may vary.