Fix Nose Crater Left by Dermatologist? (Photo)

Question

I went to my dermatologist about 6 weeks ago to have a flesh-colored bump removed from the side of my nose. They ended up digging way into the skin instead of shaving it flat, and I now have an unsightly divot on my nose. It gets very red during the day and seems to be getting much worse. I am extremely self-conscious about it, and my dermatologist doesn't really seem to care. He recommended dermabrasion, but not for at least a YEAR? They told me it would be flat and healed, and now won't help.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Once the swelling has subsided, I would recommend fractional co2 laser to resurface the scar over dermabrasion. Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

In general, indentations and divets following shave removals of all kinds fill in spontandously and flatten over the course of a year. Typically, the undesirable redness, also part of initial wound healing, will also fade with time--as a rule much before the spot flattens. Given this, II do not rush to recommend therapy in such cases. In the interim, the redness can be covered with makeup.

	Should the indentation not improve sufficiently after a sufficient amount of time has elapsed, I would simply numb the area with local anesthetic and perform a subcision to break up the fibrous scar tissue below that is tethering the skin down and instill a tiny amount of a combination of Radiesse and Perlane-L. Subcision promotes new native collagen synthesis (neocollagenesis) and allows for the possiblity of permanent improvement over the next several months. At the same time, the addition of the injectable volumizing agents generally gives nearly complete immediate improvement in contour and also creates the proper tissue environment for further stimulating native new collagen further increasing the likelihood a more long-lasting result.

	The procedure takes no more than five minutes to perform with little or no downtime.

Thomas A. Lamperti, MD · Answer

Dermabrasion can be a great way of revising scar on the face. I usually recommend waiting 2-3 months after the initial procedure before doing the dermabrasion. The idea is to allow the scar tissue cells in the skin in the area to partially mature.

	You can check out my web reference link below to see how scar revision can be used on the nasal tip. The case reviewed in the link is a bit different than yours but you can see how the nasal tip skin responds to dermabrasion.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Dermabrasion can be very effective for the contour in this area. We usually delay dermabrasion for about six weeks rather than one year. You might consider a second opinion with another Dermatologist or Facial Plastic Surgeon. Either way, ensure that you wear sunscreen every day to minimize darkening of the scar tissue.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Fluff.  There are a couple different options for you at this point.  While the scar should improve over the course of the year, it may not be flat at that time, based on the photo you posted.

	If the redness is the primary concern then we would use the V-star pulsed dye (vascular) laser to get rid of the redness.  If the texture is the issue, we would use the Sciton Profractional Erbium (resurfacing) laser.  This would help make the texture more even.  Good luck.

Fix Nose Crater Left by Dermatologist? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Fix Nose Crater Left by Dermatologist?

Answer: Fix Nose Crater Left by Dermatologist?

Answer: Fractional Laser Resurfacing for Divot in Nose.

Answer: Fractional Laser Resurfacing for Divot in Nose.

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Fix Nose Crater Left by Dermatologist? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Fix Nose Crater Left by Dermatologist?

Answer: Fix Nose Crater Left by Dermatologist?

Answer: Fractional Laser Resurfacing for Divot in Nose.

Answer: Fractional Laser Resurfacing for Divot in Nose.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

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