5 days post. Recovery Time with CO2 Fractional laser while on Isotretinoin? What are the chances of getting hypertrophic scar?

Question

Hi Docs, today is my fifth day post CO2 laser however the treated areas are still very red and it feels a bit embossed when touched. I am on 10mg Isotretinoin, stopped taking it 3 days before the procedure. I can notice slightly reduced redness in the cheeks area but the redness in my forehead is extreme. What are my chances of getting a hypertrophic scar? What is the usual recovery time for this scenario and what can I do to reduce the redness? PS. Asian skin. Thank you!

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

Chances are less than 0.1%- if the correct setting was used. Be guided by your dermatologist or your plastic surgeon as they would be up to date with the JAMA 2017 guidelines on isotretinoin and energy devices. Redness, as your Specialist would have mentioned takes 2-4 months to resolve. Vascular lasers can help. Be guided by your Specialist as they have all the settings and passes for the laser treatment you had- we don't.

Acne scar revision comprises of specialised procedures. For the best results, one should target the acne scar type with ideal treatments METHODS. Using one device is not optimal. As everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring, the best solution is a tailored one. My website give recommendations for doctors all around the World. Remember, this is a medical procedure that is technical. It is not dependent on the clinic, branch, machine, or laser but by the skill of your dermatologist of plastic surgeon. I have also made many more videos to guide you on Instagram under my name drdavinlim

As an example deep ice pick scars, and narrow box car scars are best treated with TCA CROSS. Deep narrow scars respond better to this treatment than even the most expensive lasers. On the flip side, rolling, and atrophic acne scars can improve with fractional devices such as Fraxel, fractional lasers, ProFractional erbium lasers, Infiini –Intensif –Intracel radiofrequency microneedling. Atrophic scars (depressions) can be treated with either fat grafts, PRP or dermal fillers. Tethered and anchored scars are best treated with surgical techniques such as subcision. Other surgical techniques that I use include punch elevation, surgical elevation, punch excision and traditional excision for focal scars. Early and very mild acne scars respond well to eMatrix and non-energy microneedling, as well as vascular lasers. Skin colour changes such as PIH or dark marks respond best to sun protection, creams, and Q switch lasers in the nano and pico pulse durations.

The majority of patients will have a collection of different scar types, and hence a tailored treatment METHOD will be best. Careful examination, especially under angled lighting with scar mapping will give you an understanding of what are the best options for your scars. Additionally tactile examination namely touch will give me an understanding of the amount of subdermal fibrosis, as special equipment is needed for this sub-set of acne scars.  In the majority of patients its finding the correct combination that give you best results, and everyone is unique! It is never about the device, it is about the specialist behind the equipment that will deliver the best outcomes.

Global leaders in acne scar revision will always use manual methods to revise scars, and employ lasers and energy devices as instruments to assist. All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Acne scar dermatologist specialist. Brisbane, Australia.

5 days post. Recovery Time with CO2 Fractional laser while on Isotretinoin? What are the chances of getting hypertrophic scar?

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5 days post. Recovery Time with CO2 Fractional laser while on Isotretinoin? What are the chances of getting hypertrophic scar?

Answers (1)

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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.