Raised white grid scarring from CO2 laser. Where should I go from here? Can this be fixed with chemical peels? (Photo)

Question

Where should I go from here? I’ve reached out to the surgeon who performed my co2 laser. It’s been a year and a half and all I’ve received is it’s still healing. Not to mention this is all by email. He hasn’t seen my skin in person. It is not healing still, now I have raised white grid lines all over my face, they are very obviously scars. I really want to stay away from lasers in the future for several reasons but is this something I can fix with deeper chemical peels? Is this even fixable?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

​I suggest following up with your doctor or a cosmetic dermatologist for a formal evaluation and after care recommendations. I recommend skin care with vitamin c, b5 hydrator, silicone-based scar gels with growth factors, and enzymatic washes with papaya enzyme to give improvement. Sun protection is essential.

Lasers like CO2 work best in combination with other treatments in order to improve the skin's texture and collagen. After CO2, I recommend adding fractional lasers such as Clear and Brilliant, Fraxel, Moxi, or Halo, microneedling/PRP, and radiofrequency treatments. Best, Dr. Emer​

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

I am really sorry that this has happened to you. I have been cautioning my regular followers for year to exercise a very healthy dose of "buyer beware" when considering undergoing treatment with any of the here-today-gone tomorrow, expensive, "bells and whistles" lasers, RF devices, etc., since the hard science to support promote their use lags well behind the heavy marketing hype and social media buzz to promote them. Sorry. 
You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist to discuss the use of manual micronreedling (no need for the added expense and risks of RF microneedlng) to address the textural issues accompanied by the application of topical latanoprost and tyrosine to treat the hypopigmentation. Deep peels carry much the same risks for scarring and dyspigmentation as ablative CO2 lasers and dermabrasion. So, caution with this route is advisable. Hope this helps and best of luck and finally, it is generally best, in my opinion, not to go into to any physician consultation requesting a particular device treatment as all too often, and to later chagrin and disappointment, you are likely to get what you asked for.

Nuket Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello; first of all, get well soon. Your skin still looks very red and sensitive. Therefore, the most important treatment you should have; before lasers and peeling; would be injections; that increase skin collagen level. I recommend for you Radiesse technique. It can be diluted and implemented to your cheeks. Diluted Ca Hydroxyapatite molecules; do not create a filling affect; they provide for lifting and skin rejuvenation. To begin with, you must wait patiently for recovery. At the same time, you should moisturize your skin and protect it from the sun. Afterwards, it would be best to practice rejuvenation lasers. I'm sure that; your skin will get much better at over time.

Raised white grid scarring from CO2 laser. Where should I go from here? Can this be fixed with chemical peels? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

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Raised white grid scarring from CO2 laser. Where should I go from here? Can this be fixed with chemical peels? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

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