If the scar to be revised or skin lesion being removed is particularly large, a skin graft may be needed. This involves transferring skin from another, healthy part of the body (donor site) to the injured site (recipient site). On the face and hands, full thickness skin grafts are usually used as they have better contour, colour and texture than split thickness grafts which are usually used elsewhere. Large split skin grafts as used in resurfacing large burned areas, are usually harvested from the thigh or buttocks.

While skin grafting can improve the function of a damaged area by releasing a contracture, some scarring will be left at both the donor and recipient sites. Except for small face and hand grafts, skin grafting is likely to be performed under general anaesthesia (you will be asleep during the procedure) in a hospital. The grafted areas may take weeks or months to heal completely and you may need to wear a support bandage or splint for a similar period.