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Treatment for Indented Surgery Scar?

asked 3 years ago by MOHS in NYC
Latest answer by Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Question viewed 1,872 times
Tags: surgery scar

I had a Mohs surgery three months ago just under my eye. The surgeon said the wound was not deep and didn't need stitches; it would heal without a mark. Instead, It left me with an indented scar. Is there any treatment to encourage the skin to fill in?

10 answers to Treatment for Indented Surgery Scar?

+1

Treatment for an indented scar is reexcision exchanging the depression for a flat scar.

I think fillers under depressed scars a futile.  The scar is just too rigid to elevate.  Therefore a scar revision is indicated in most circumstances.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Undented scar after MOHS

It is quite common to heal after MOHS surgery without sutures.  Actually in some places on the face the opening heals better if it heals this way.  Without knowing the location and type of cancer treated, I would not jump to revision right away. 3 month is a very short time.  Indentation you see may be more noticable while there is still surrounding swelling and as it subsides, you may not need any additional surgery. I would wait till 6 month after... more
Boris Volshteyn, MD, MS

Reno Plastic Surgeon
+1

Surgical scar revision

Indented scars do well with reexcision or subcision.  Speak to your surgeon about surgical scar revision when the risk of recurrence is low. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment of depressed scar

Contraction and depression of wounds left to heal by "secondary intention" (left open) is not uncommon. Depending on the severity of the problem something as simple as massaging the scar daily can be helpful. This will help minimize edema (swelling) and might flatten the tissue surrounding the scar. Dermabrasion can help lower the surrounding skin and reduce the shadowing that reveals depression of the scar. Dermal fillers can help plump up the scar itself. Lastly, the scar can... more
Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment for indented scar.

From what you describe, it sounds as though the scar is tethered to the underlying tissue. When a wound is allowed to close in on its own, there is a significant amount of contracture which occurs. This contracture is a pulling of the normal skin by the scar which can lead to puckering, indentation, and distortion of the surrounding skin. Treatment options depend on the severity of the indentation. These range from simple dermabrasion to removal of the scar and closure with sutures. more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

You probably need scar revision

From the sounds of things you probably could use a scar revision. This can be done under local in many circumstances. You should be examined by a good plastic surgeon for a better recommendation. Best Regards.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment options for scar below eye

Healing from surgery usually involves healing of scar tissue.  Scar tissue undergoes a long process of healing, or scar maturation.  This process can take 12 months or more.  Your indented scar may get much better as the surrounding skin softens and the scar matures.  There are a variety of options available to the plastic surgeon for scar revision.  Since your surgery was three months ago, I would wait before trying to revise something now that may be fine later... more
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Correcting an indented Surgical Scar of the Cheek

The BEST cosmetic results come from controlling all the variables. It is a fair statement that good Plastic surgeons are obsessively focused on details and are "Control Freaks". By controlling all variables and leaving little or nothing to chance we can use the healing processes to our patients' advantage. Failing to bring "fatty tissue" together under a C-section scar allows the scarring to tent and indent the scar to a deeper layer. Allowing some cheek... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Many options for infraorbital scar revision.

  Patients they have many options for scar revision in the infraorbital region. These include the use of thermal fillers, fat grafting, re-excision and repair the scar and the use of local flaps to fill this defect. Consult with your plastic surgeon to see which options may be best for you
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Filler the best option for depressed scar or tear trough deformity under lower eyelids

The atrophic nature of your scar is due to contraction of surgical scar. Filler injection to replenish the lost volume would be the best, instantly gratifying option for depressed scar particularly along tear trough areas. In the hands of an experienced board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, a variety of fillers can be considered, e.g. Restylane, Juvederm, or Evolence Breeze.
William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

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