Is dermabrasion the right choice for an indented forehead scar? (photo)

Dermabrasion would not be the correct choice for indented scar on one's forehead. Operation works by lowering the level of the skin and taking off the outer layer which then heals. It is more useful if a scar is raised. Your surgeon may advocate scar massage to help smooth a scar, often this is started around five weeks following surgery.

Unfortunately, dermabrasion is primary used to improve scars by making their texture and pigment more uniform.  Because an indented scar is a three dimensional change in the skins topography, dermabrasion would not be an appropriate option to best improve your scar.  

8 to 12 weeks is the appropriate time for scar correction. There are several choices you can make. While dermabrasion maybe one choice, the final result may be affected by the fact that there is a considerable amount of bleeding during the procedure, and visualizing the end point may be difficult for some doctors not familiar with the procedure. Another, and probably better choice, is one of two laser treatments. The first of these is fractionated co2 laser resurfacing. This is similar to dermabrasion, but there is no bleeding and it generally has better results. The other choice is to have this treated with a vascular lesion laser, of which there are several. This type of treatment would eliminate the redness in your scar, and has a tendency to restore normal surface texture to the area. Once again, procedures like this are only as good as the experience of the doctor performing the procedure.               jlr