Indented Scar After Mole Removal? (photo)

Indented scars and hypertrophic scars can both be caused from mole removal. In my practice, I perform subcision and laser resurfacing for these types of scars from previous mole removals by others. Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

Regardless of the cause, indented scars, especially those with rolled edges, tend to do well with a series of subcision treatments. Subcision, which I have been performing for eighteen years, uses a sharp needle to break up the abnormal scar collagen bands below the skin surface that tether the overlying skin downward to create the depression. By freeing up the tissue, in this fashion, the overlying skin can float to the surface and the potential space created below it can become filled with vital wound healing agents that promote new native collagen formation to ultimately keep the base of the scar elevated and flush with the surrounding skin surface. In general, between two and four treatments are required at a minimum of six week intervals (the time necessary to permit maximal collagen production in response to treatment) in order to achieve gratifying results. The treatment takes only a couple of minutes to perform under local anesthesia and the results, unlke with fillers, are permanent.