Dermabrasion or Laser Resurfacing to Improve Septorhinoplasty Scar?

Question

I had a Septorhinoplasty (Septoplasty with Rhinoplasty) with alar base reduction 2 months and half ago. The scar in the right side is acceptable but on the left side the incision is higher and is visible to me. What can I do to improve it because it does not seem to get better since a month? Also, I have stitches marks left since they were removed 2 weeks later. Should I have Dermabrasion or Laser Resurfacing? And which one is better? I need your help. Thank you!

Andrew Jacono, MD · Answer

It has been only 2 months since your rhinoplasty alar base reduction as I read your post.  You have sebaceous skin and it will take longer for your incisions lines to look lass red and heaped up.  This is normal with your skin type.  I would wait a minimum of 9 months of healing until considering lase resurfacing or dermabrasion.  If you do it too early it will likely make these scars look worse.  They both yield good results.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Paul S. Nassif, MD · Answer

Hello,
At this point, it would be best for you to speak with your surgeon as he/she will be able to give you the best advice as he/she knows the extent of your procedure and exactly what was performed. Dermabrasion may help the scar. Thank you, and best of luck.
Dr. Nassif

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Scars from rhinoplasty can be treated if the scars are not favorable.  Scar revision, laser procedures, silicone sheeting or silicone gel can all help if the scars are not favorable.

Chad L. Prather, MD · Answer

Both Dermabrasion and Fractional (or full) CO2 laser resurfacing will improve scarring, but not remove it.
Dermabrasion will help smooth out the lumpy texture and blend the scar into the normal skin. The best time to perform dermabrasion is 6-8 weeks after surgery, but it can help anytime within one year of original scar formation.
CO2 laser will help blend the scar into the normal skin too, but won't work quite as well to smooth out the height of the scar.
I would opt to dermabrade now, allow the area to heal for 6 months, and then consider laser for further improvment if necessary.

Dermabrasion or Laser Resurfacing to Improve Septorhinoplasty Scar?

Answers (5)

Answer: Rhinoplasty scars

Answer: Rhinoplasty scars

Answer: Dermabrasion and Laser Resurfacing both improve scarring

Answer: Dermabrasion and Laser Resurfacing both improve scarring

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Dermabrasion or Laser Resurfacing to Improve Septorhinoplasty Scar?

Answers (5)

Answer: Rhinoplasty scars

Answer: Rhinoplasty scars

Answer: Dermabrasion and Laser Resurfacing both improve scarring

Answer: Dermabrasion and Laser Resurfacing both improve scarring

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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