Dark Spots and Keloid Scars After VASER Liposelection and Laser Liposuction

asked 3 years ago by america in detroit, mi
Latest answer by Peter A. Aldea, MD
Question viewed 8,151 times
Tags: dark spots, keloid scar

I'm a 29-year-old African American woman. I had VASER Liposelection and Laser Lipo in November, and I now have keloid scars and dark spots. What can my doctor and I do to correct these?

8 answers to Dark Spots and Keloid Scars After VASER Liposelection and Laser Liposuction

Dark spots and ugly scars after VASER Liposelection and Laser Liposuction

Unfortunately, in many darker pigmented people even minor trauma results in darker scars. (Look at the forearms of women - you will frequently find short lines from either cooking oil splatter or scratches). This means that EVERY cut, regardless of the mechanism, may in such predisposed people result in darker spots / linear scars. It does NOT help if such skin is exposed to friction / heat or the Liposuction openings are NOT stitched properly or left open to heal by themselves. As a... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Keloid scars and hyperpigmentation

True keloid scars can be treated by a number of different procedures, including application of silicone, pressure, and injection of TAC. Hyperpigmentation can be improved with judicious use of cortisone based creams, topical retinoids, and prescription skin lighteners.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Aggressive approach is best for keloid scars

Hi there, In my experience treating patients with your skin type for problem scars, taking an aggressive approach right off the bat is most likely to result in patient and doctor satisfaction. This would involve excision of the problem scar, repair using an alternative technique to that initially used, and topical treatment with silicone tape, Scarguard, or some other similar option. This almost always gives a significantly improved outcome, although it does require the excision. Good luck.... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Steroids may help

The keloids may be from the incision or the heat generated from vaser. A keloid is a raised thickened scar that is actually larger than the original cut. Steroid injections may help it settle down and soften. Time may also help. The down side to the steroids is that they can thin the skin, and cause loss of pigmentation. Other ideas may include silicone sheeting, compression garments, massage.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Dark spots after VASER

The dark spots, I assume, are at the port sites of the VASER. The darkness can stay for a while, sometimes as long as a year or more. If your scar is truly keloidal, then there are multiple modalities for treatment that can vary using re-excision, steroids, and a combination of the two among many other options. If they are just hypertrophic, they sometimes can be treated as I mentioned for keloids, but you can add compression and silicone sheeting.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You need compression, steroids, time

Seems like hypertrophic scars. I would start with compression and intralesional injection of dilute steroids. There are more agressive treatments but this will be a good start. Make sure you mention this in the future before any surgery.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Keloid versus Hypertrophic scars

There is a big difference bewtween Keloid and Hypertrophic scars Hypertrophic = large thick scars Keloid = grow beyond dimensions of initial injury It is most likely you have a hypertrophic scar. This may stay thick for up to two years before softening. General non-surgical scar therapy includes: Time for scars to resolve (up to two years) Pressure treatment Topical silicone gel sheeting or silicone preparations (many options available) Avoidance of sun exposure Intralesional... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

There may be hope for Keloid and Dark Spots

Given the dark pigmentation of your skin, yes, you are already at higher risk for such issues. The keloids, I would assume, are from the incision scars. What can be done is several things. I have used silicone sheets over such scars, and I have injected the scars with steroids, in particular Kenalog. Scar massage by yourself may also help as well. As far as dark pigmented areas, hydroquinone may help, which is a bleaching cream in essence. You have to be careful in your case to not... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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