Chin implant scar - Do I need scar removal or can this be fixed with a laser?

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

Hi, thank you for sharing the details about your scar. It sounds like your scar has been through quite a bit, especially with the implant removal while you were awake, which can sometimes make scarring more pronounced.

From your description, it seems you’re dealing with both textural changes (the dent or depression under your chin) and visible scarring. While lasers can improve the redness, texture, and overall appearance of scars, they usually cannot fully correct a significant depression or dent. For deeper scars like this, sometimes a combination approach works best:

Scar revision or excision: This can smooth out the contour and remove some of the thicker scar tissue.

Laser treatments: Fractional CO₂ or erbium lasers can help improve texture, reduce redness, and make the scar less noticeable.

Fillers or fat grafting: In some cases, if there’s a dent, a filler or small fat graft can help restore the smooth contour.

Completely “erasing” a scar is difficult, but these approaches can significantly improve both the appearance and the contour of your chin. Your best results usually come from a personalized plan based on the scar’s thickness, depth, and location.

You’ve clearly been patient and proactive about this, and with the right combination of treatments, the scar can be much less noticeable and your chin can look more natural.

I am sorry that this has happened. I usually discuss with my patients the benefits of performing an HA filler, nonsurgical chin augmentation--precisely owing to the fact that all too often, the implants need to be removed and replaced only a few years later. While the claims that the implant itself is permanent, time-related loss of volume in the surrounding tissues often necessitates a new surgery only a few years later to remove the previous implant and replacement with a new one).
As to the current scar, simple subcision can be used to elevate and smooth it. As to the hypopigmentation, professionally performed manual dermarolling (no need for the added expense and risks for adverse reactions from RF microneedling) accompanied by the application of Rx prescription enhancing medications, such as topical latanoprost and tyrosine can be used to help to better blend the color and texture of the scar with the surrounding normal skin. You would be wise to consult with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist scar treatment specialist. Hope this helps and best of luck. .

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. A persistent, indented submental scar after implant removal can be challenging, but there are options that often improve both texture and contour. When a scar looks “dented,” it usually means there is tethering to deeper tissues or loss of volume under the skin; therefore, treatment often needs to address both the surface and the underlying layers. CO2 laser resurfacing is frequently used to improve the texture, color, and overall smoothness of surgical scars by stimulating collagen remodeling, though it usually works best when combined with other approaches if indentation is present. Many patients benefit from a combination such as subcision (to release tethered scar tissue) and/or filler/fat grafting (to correct the volume deficit), followed by fractional CO2 laser to refine the skin surface.