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Posted under CO2 Laser q&a

Aftercare after CO2 Ablative Laser for a Scar Revision to Neck. (photo)

starbwoy
Hi Doctors, I just had a large bad scar on my neck and chin lasered at Mass General Hospital by a top surgeon. It crusted over with a dark crust within 2 hours. I was told it drilled thousands of little holes and then the skin remodels itself. It was covered with a bandage and I was told to keep it on for 4 days. But it keeps falling down, and it seems to be drying out underneath every time I look. IS DRYING AND SCABBING BAD FOR THE RESULTS? I keep saturating it with bacitracin and taping it back up, but each time I take it down to look it seems kind of dried out and scabby and crusted. Should I not be letting that crust build up?  Is that crust and scabbing bad for the healing and smoothing and results?I feel like having it uncovered might be better so I can monitor it, and keep it moist by continually applying Aquaphor or bacitracin to keep it hydrated and make sure it doesn't dry out.What do some of you doctors think?Is the brown crusting bad for it? Should that be scraped off to the pink skin underneath.I have been applying bacitracin liberally about 2-3 times per day, but everytime I look at it it seems to be somewhat dry.Thank you in advance for the advice. I want the result to be optimal. I worry about the best way to heal, and how the scars will look. Its a learning experience every time.

Answers (1)

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Jason Emer, MD profile photo
Jason Emer, MD
Answered on Jun 18, 2014
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Dr. Jason Emer, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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