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How Soon for Laser Resurfacing After Dog Bite?

asked 2 years ago by pj2029 in New York. NY
Latest answer by D.J. Verret, MD
Question viewed 447 times
Tags: nose, dog bite, scar, upper lip

I suffered a dog bite on my upper lip 6 weeks ago. The wound was stitched by a plastic surgeon the day of the injury, but I'm now left with a curved, slightly indented scar extending from just below my nose down to the pink part of my upper lip. I understand I'll have to wait upwards of a year for any surgical scar revision, but I'm wondering if getting laser resurfacing at this time would be helpful to reduce the indentation. If so, what type of laser might be helpful? I have dark skin and tan very easily. Thanks!

3 answers to How Soon for Laser Resurfacing After Dog Bite?

+2

Start laser sooner rather than later for scars

When treating scars, I believe in treating sooner rather than later. Scars of all types, when they are new, tend to be pink in color and have an irregular surface. We start treating scars the week after sutures are removed. At that time, patients begin massage along the incision line, topical steroids, and a silicone product. After a few weeks of that regimen, we start laser (about a month after surgery). Our preference is a pigment laser for the pinkness and a resurfacing laser for... more
Jonathan Sonne, MD

Naples Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser Will Not Likely Be Helpful

Laser treatments will generally not help depressed scars. While a complete evaluation is necessary because other factors may be playing into the appearance of a depressed scar, for a depressed scar, I would not wait. In most cases, waiting will not improve a depressed scar. In some cases though, the depression is actually an optical illusion because there is an elevation along the edges which may improve over time. Talk with your plastic surgeon.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wait and see

Resurfacing probably will not help the indentation. Give it time as your plastic surgeon indicated. There may be improvement that occurs naturally. Some doctors might consider loosening the scar (subcision) and placing a filler underneath to help lift it but it would be too early now to do this. Many wait for 6 to 12 months before revising surgical scars.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

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