How soon after scar revision can dermabrasion be performed? I'm 4 months post op

Question

Hello I have a very small but ugly scar on my lumbar region (it is flat, I have treated with both silicone and steroid tapes) however it was in high tension area and the scar texture looks bad it is irregular . You can clearly see that n incision was made there and it's very jagged looking (though not hypertrophic) I am interested in dermabrasion to smooth it out and blend it more.. I understand de pigmented areas of scar will remain depigmented but I'm hoping to blend it in more.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello beautyqueen2023! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Shah Facial Plastics. I am sorry to hear this! Since you are 4 months post-op, I believe you are able to receive dermabrasion treatments on the area of concern. Similarly, I recommend trying a CO2 laser such as CoolPeel. CoolPeel is a resurfacing laser that targets the superficial layer of the skin, removing damaged skin and revealing healthier looking skin and improving the appearance of fine lines and skin texture. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

It's been known since the late 1980s that there is an ideal window of time in which to treat a scar (from any cause, including post-surgical) in order to achieve optimal improvement. Back then, conventional dermabrasion or manual dermasanding were recommended to be performed between the end of week eight, when the wound is strong enough to withstand treatment, and the end of week twelve, when the scar is considered fully "mature." If performed during this timeline, there was a chance of erasure or near erasure of the potential scar. Nowadays, we believe the interval to be between the end of week four and the end of week twelve. Dermabrasion is still an option for treatment during this interval, but for some time now, I have personally been performing manual microneedling (no need for the added expense and risks of RF microneedlng) instead of dermabrasion with very gratifying results. I just had a patient last week come to me five weeks following her facial injuries and she just informed me of how significant the improvement has been since the microneedling. You would be wise to consult an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist scar specialist asap. Hope this helps and best of luck.

How soon after scar revision can dermabrasion be performed? I'm 4 months post op

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How soon after scar revision can dermabrasion be performed? I'm 4 months post op

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Everything you need to know about Dermabrasion

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