Do you have suggestions to flatten & reduce redness/scarring after mole removal? (Photos)

Question

I have a rather large mole removed from my chin 8 months ago. I was told it was quite a complicated surgery due to the size / depth of the mole. There is some mole pigmentation left and I think some hyper pigmentation. I use silicone gel sheets but was wondering if there were any suggestions to flatten and reduce redness?

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

Nadir Qazi, DO · Answer

Thank you for reaching out to us with your concern about your post-surgical scar. We understand how important it is for you to achieve the best possible outcome after a complicated surgery to remove a mole from your chin.
Firstly, we would like to acknowledge that scars can take time to heal, and it is not uncommon to experience some pigmentation and hyperpigmentation after the removal of a large and deep mole. However, there are some things that you can do to reduce the appearance of the scar and improve its overall texture.
One option is to use silicone gel sheets, which you are already doing. These sheets can help to reduce redness and flatten the scar by creating a moist environment that allows the skin to heal properly. However, there are other products that you can consider using as well.
For example, there are specialized scar gels and creams that are designed to reduce the appearance of scars. These products typically contain ingredients such as silicone, vitamin E, and onion extract, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation and improve the overall texture of scars.
It's important to note that while these products can be effective, they do require consistent and prolonged use to see results. We recommend speaking with your dermatologist or healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs.
In addition to using scar-reducing products, there are some other things that you can do to help improve the appearance of your scar. For example, keeping the area clean and moisturized can help to prevent scarring and promote healing. Additionally, protecting the area from the sun with SPF 30 or higher can help to prevent hyperpigmentation and further damage to the skin.
In summary, we understand that dealing with a scar after a complicated mole removal can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to reduce its appearance. We recommend speaking with your dermatologist or healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs, and continuing to use silicone gel sheets, specialized scar gels or creams, and practicing good skincare habits to promote healing and reduce the appearance of the scar.

Bhupendra C.K. Patel, MD, FRCS · Answer

After mole removal, there may be raised areas, depressed areas, pigmentation, pinkness/redness, and discoloration. Fortunately, with the use of the correct lasers, most of these changes can be improved. 
You should see a surgeon with lasers to address each component. It looks like you have some slight elevation, some pinkness, and some pigmentation. All of these can be improved by using a combination of lasers of different wavelengths. It is important to remember that you will need two to three treatments (sometimes more) in order to get an improvement.

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