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How to Correct Small but Persistent Dog Ears on Forehead?

asked 1 year ago by 4845anon in USA
Latest answer by Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Question viewed 484 times
Tags: forehead, dog ears

I had a dermatofibroma removed from my forehead, and it left small but visible dog-ears. I have read that small dog ears can go away with time, but I've now waited a year with no improvement. Is there still any chance they'll subside on their own? If not, would dermabrasion be an option, to sand down the excess skin and make it level with the scar? Or is it simply best to re-open the scar and extend it? The scar is about 12mm long, the dog ears are ~5mm wide with maybe a couple mm protrusion.

13 answers to How to Correct Small but Persistent Dog Ears on Forehead?

+1

Scar revision for dog ears.

By one year, if your dog ears hadn't disappeared, they will be permanent without intervention. My recommendation would be to excise these areas using local anesthesia. The total length of your scar will increase but if performed precisely, the final appearance should be an improvement over what you have right now.
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar Treatment: Common Questions

The question you ask is a very good and patient one. Your scar is considered mature at this stage and the best cosmetic outcome is obtained through excision and scar modification. I would recommend seeing a surgeon who specialty involves the treatment of the face for your best possible outcome. Best regards, JMR  
James M. Ridgway, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

SCAR REVISIONS - FOREHEAD

Scar excision & revision is your only option if you are at least one year out from surgery and it still bothers you. Dermabrasion in not an option for correcting dog ears. Keep in mind that the scar revision will elongate the existing scar and if done incorrectly or undercorrected may result in another dog ear. Dr. Carlos Cordoba MDCM, CSPQ, FRCS, FACS Plastic & Esthetic Surgeon 4055 Ste-Catherine O. Suite 100 Montreal, QC. Canada H3Z... more
Carlos Cordoba, MD

Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dog Ears at 1 Year on Forehead

At a year, the scar is unlikely to improve further.  The forehead generally heals exceptionally well because scars can be placed in relaxed skin tension lines parallel to the horizontal lines of motion. Scar revision (excision) is probably your best option at this point.
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Small but Persistent Dog Ears on Forehead

A photo would haver been of GREAT help! But I guess the better plan is surgery to remove the dog ear but remember the scar will be longer. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, 305 598 0091
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dermabrasion Unlikely to Help for Dog Ears

Dermabrasion is most helpful for irregularities at the skin surface.  Dog ears are the result of too much tissue below the skin surface.  A simple scar revision should do the trick.
Joseph Campanelli, MD

Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin excess

At one year, I believe your result will change little.  Dermabrasion is unlikely to correct something as large as 5mm.  Your skin excess will likely require scar revision.  A downside is that I believe the area will look worse following excision before better.  And dog ear excision will likely lengthen the incision slightly. For a more detailed answer, please post a pic.  Good luck
Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fixing dog ears

At one year, your result will not change any more so you need a scar revision to fix the dog ears.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dogears after 1 year are what they are

I don't think your scar or dogears will change much at this point, one year after your original procedure.  I would likely recommend re-excision.
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Dog ear scars

If you have dog ears form a previous excision and they have not gone away at 1 year, then you certainly are probably a candidate for dog ear revision.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Correcting one year old Persistent Dog Ears on Forehead

Regarding: "How to Correct Small but Persistent Dog Ears on Forehead? I had a dermatofibroma removed from my forehead, and it left small but visible dog-ears. I have read that small dog ears can go away with time, but I've now waited a year with no improvement. Is there still any chance they'll subside on their own? If not, would dermabrasion be an option, to sand down the excess skin and make it level with the scar? Or is it simply best to re-open the scar and extend it? The... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Excise

Agree with Dr. Placik, at this point these dog ear are not going to resolve on their own. Excision by a facial surgeon would be your best solution.
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+1

Forehead with dog ears!

At this point, it is probably best to excise the residual tissue. You may want to be evaluated by a surgeon for other possible options but I do not believe dermabrasion is valuable in this instance.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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