How Soon for Laser Resurfacing After Dog Bite?

Question

I suffered a dog bite on my upper lip 6 weeks ago. The wound was stitched by a plastic surgeon the day of the injury, but I'm now left with a curved, slightly indented scar extending from just below my nose down to the pink part of my upper lip. I understand I'll have to wait upwards of a year for any surgical scar revision, but I'm wondering if getting laser resurfacing at this time would be helpful to reduce the indentation. If so, what type of laser might be helpful? I have dark skin and tan very easily. Thanks!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Resurfacing probably will not help the indentation. Give it time as your plastic surgeon indicated. There may be improvement that occurs naturally. Some doctors might consider loosening the scar (subcision) and placing a filler underneath to help lift it but it would be too early now to do this. Many wait for 6 to 12 months before revising surgical scars.

D.J. Verret, MD · Answer

Laser treatments will generally not help depressed scars. While a complete evaluation is necessary because other factors may be playing into the appearance of a depressed scar, for a depressed scar, I would not wait. In most cases, waiting will not improve a depressed scar. In some cases though, the depression is actually an optical illusion because there is an elevation along the edges which may improve over time. Talk with your plastic surgeon.

Jonathan Sonne, MD (retired) · Answer

When treating scars, I believe in treating sooner rather than later.  Scars of all types, when they are new, tend to be pink in color and have an irregular surface.  We start treating scars the week after sutures are removed.  At that time, patients begin massage along the incision line, topical steroids, and a silicone product.  After a few weeks of that regimen, we start laser (about a month after surgery).  Our preference is a pigment laser for the pinkness and a resurfacing laser for the lumps and bumps.  Being someone who tans easily, you may be better off with conservative laser treatments.  Commonly, patient will have monthly laser treatments for 4 to 6 months. 
Even if you do none of the aforementioned treatments, your scar will continue to improve in appearance for 6 to 12 months.  These treatments seem to speed up the process.
Hope this helps.

How Soon for Laser Resurfacing After Dog Bite?

Answers (4)

Answer: Start laser sooner rather than later for scars

Answer: Start laser sooner rather than later for scars

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How Soon for Laser Resurfacing After Dog Bite?

Answers (4)

Answer: Start laser sooner rather than later for scars

Answer: Start laser sooner rather than later for scars

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Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.