Dog bite in April 2021, will lasers, microneedling, or any other type of treatment improve this scar? (photos)

Question

April 2021 - dog bite (picture 1). Plastic surgeon sutured would at ER Nov 2021 - scar revision with graft. Will different type of lasers, micro needling, or any other type of treatment improve this scar? Plastic surgeon said nothing else can be done. He does not perform cosmetic non surgical treatment and said a steroid injection would be painful and do very little. Can laser or other type of non invasive therapy improve this scar? Should I consult with a cosmetic dermatologist which has multiple modalities or a plastic surgeon. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!

Marc Polacco, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You're absolutely right in that laser resurfacing or microneedling may help improve the appearance of the scar. Injection with a steroid or 5-fluorouracil may also help. Also, scars mature over the course of 12 months, so it will continue to soften on its own as well. Hope this helps, and all the best.
-Dr. P

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @VSG1! I recommend Morpheus 8 over regular microneedling. Morpheus8 is a non-surgical treatment for skin resurfacing, skin tightening, and fat reduction of stubborn areas. It uses minimally invasive fractional radiofrequency energy (RF) to penetrate the skin deeper than other microneedling devices, triggering the skin’s natural healing response to promote skin tightening and lifting. Morpheus 8 works very well for scars. Good Luck!

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

I would recommend consulting a plastic surgeon or cosmetic dermatologist. In our field, we work a lot with scar tissue from past surgical operations and accidents and are well equipped to address areas of the face. Microneedling is a great way to reduce the appearance of scar tissue with controlled injury, allowing the skin to heal and breakdown the scar. In some cases, alternating treatment with microneedling and laser resurfacing can help address the appearance quicker. Unfortunately, with the nature of scar tissue, the scar will never completely go away. It is always best to consult with a provider in person to have a treatment plan tailored specifically for you.

Dog bite in April 2021, will lasers, microneedling, or any other type of treatment improve this scar? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Treating scar tissue

Answer: Treating scar tissue

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Dog bite in April 2021, will lasers, microneedling, or any other type of treatment improve this scar? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Treating scar tissue

Answer: Treating scar tissue

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Microneedling

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