HNY Policy and Pathway Repository - North Lincolnshire

Skin scarring

Surgery is commissioned if:

• Scarring is congenital or a consequence of previous NHS treatment, burns or trauma AND
• Scarring is causing:
  • adverse physical consequences (due to contraction, tethering or recurrent breakdown) OR
  • significant functional impairment (for example obstruction of orifice or vision) OR
  • bleeding

AND

• Where clinically appropriate, proactive conservative therapies aimed at arresting the development of adverse, keloid or hypertrophic scarring have been tried but have not been effective AND
• At least 18 months of the natural healing process has passed.

Surgery is not commissioned for:

• Hypertrophic or keloid scars that are not causing adverse consequences or functional impairments (e.g. keloid scarring after ear piercing)
• Scarring / ulceration from chronic tattoo breakdowns
• Acne related scarring

Skin rejuvenation or other cosmetic purposes

In line with national guidelines for Plastic Surgery, surgery undertaken exclusively to improve appearance is excluded from NHS provision in the absence of previous trauma, disease or congenital deformity.

Information for commissioners of plastic surgery services (BAPRAS)

Is cosmetic surgery available on the NHS? (www.nhs.uk)