Best laser treatment for old white incision scar?

Question

Hello. I have an old white scar under my nose from an upper lip lift. I've done about 6 laser treatments and nothing. Still there. The first were Vbeam and the last, I forgot. So my question is, which laser is the best? Also, how many? Thanks

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Frankly, I think that you have wasted enough money already on lasers. I have made this point time and again over the past half dozen years, but, in my experience, these relatively expensive treatments have proven to be be backed far more by device manufacturer supported marketing hype than hard science. Ivory or off-white scars from any cause, including surgery as in this case, are a very difficult problem to treat successfully. In a number of instances, I have had success with repigmenting them using a combination of relatively inexpensive microneedling and topical tyrosine and bimatoprost, the latter two agents known for their involvement in and ability to promote pigment production, respectively. Make sure to seek consultation and treatment by a board certified aesthetic physician with experience and expertise in scar treatments and not just anyplace hawking the supposedly "next-big-thing"-to-come-along laser or energy-based device. Be sure to ask to see his/her before and after photos before agreeing to proceed. Best of luck to you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

There are numerous lasers out there on the market, but there is hope! The scar under your nose can be improved with lasers (ProYellow, Excel V, VBeam) and microneedling/prp. I would recommend a series of at least three treatments, however not being able to see the scar, a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist would be my first step. Best, Dr. Emer

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our Hidef protocol for your scars includes fractional laser, Plato's Scar Serum, PDL, PRP SC, surgical scar revision, and Kenalog IIT. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian#Realself100 Surgeon

Jared Troy, MD · Answer

A white scar is the normal appearance of a well healed incision. Its viability is usually due to contrast of the surrounding skin color. Lasers, micro needling, peels cannot give pigment to hypo pigmented scar. So there are 2 options, lighten the surrounding skin, or darken the scar in another way. If your natural skin color is not fair, then it is unlikely that you will be able to lighten the surrounding skin in a reliable way that will last or be even. The only way i know of to reliable darken a scar is with tattooing. A good tattoo artist with experience in scar camouflage can pick a pigment that closely matches your natural skin color. Now, the problem is that if you tan, the scar may become more visible as the surrounding skin darkens, but typically, this is still better than the stark contrast that can be had with a white scar on a pigmented background.

Best laser treatment for old white incision scar?

Answers (4)

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