Advice for Choosing Doctor to Treat Ice-pick Scars?

asked 6 months ago by UWS_lady in New York, NY
Latest answer by F. Victor Rueckl, MD
Question viewed 108 times
Tags: choosing a surgeon, ice pick scar, options

I have several deep ice-pick scars, most notably one on my chin and two on my nose. My understanding is that punch excision or TCA-cross method maybe the best treatment options. However, when I went to one prominent Manhattan derm, he tried to convince me to do Fraxel. It is also my understanding that this kind of laser won't do much for this type of scar. Any advice on choosing a term/ plastic surgeon is much appreciated! I want to save everyone's time and avoid numerous consults :-)

2 answers to Advice for Choosing Doctor to Treat Ice-pick Scars?

I'd recommend fillers actually

I very rarely suggest patients do punch excisions for acne scars. It re-injures the site, possibly causing more harm, and requires that your physician go wider and deeper than the icepick scar to remove it. An easier and better treatment for icepick scarring is usually to fill those in with dermal filler (like Restylane). Even though it will have to be repeated probably yearly, the effect is so much better and has so many less problems that re-injuring the skin. I always recommend... more

F. Victor Rueckl, MD
Las Vegas Dermatologist

Ice pick scars

I agree that TCA CROSS or punch excision is typically the best approach for ice pick scars. Lasers do not work well for ice pick scars in my opinion. The key is to go to someone experienced and who is skilled in many different techniques so that treatment can be tailored specifically to you.

Richard Ort, MD
Lone Tree Dermatologic Surgeon

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Advice for Choosing Doctor to Treat Ice-pick Scars?

I'd recommend fillers actually

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