Best treatment to reduce shiny, white surgical scar from lip lift surgery?

Question

Hello doctors, it’s been about 3.5 years since I’ve had lip lift surgery, skin only, with 8 mm removed. I have had laser on the scar at 6 months, had steroidal treatment, tried micro needling the scar about 6-7 times ( it brings colour back temporarily for a few days a while healing), tried micro dermabrasion, and have also tried using Retin-A for months with not much benefit, in terms of scar colour. Is there a treatment I might be missing? Thank you all so very much for your suggestions!

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

I have been performing medical microneedling for twenty years already. Although I have found it to be a very gratifying treatment for blending the color and texture of scars with the surrounding normal skin, I have not found it to be successful as a monotherapy for restoration of color, as you have learned the hard way. For this reason, for a number of years I have combined its use with the topical application (at the time of the treatment) with topical tyrosine and topical bimatoprost (both pigment enhancers) and have achieved more consistent improvement. You would be well advised to seek consultation and treatment by a board certified aesthetic physician and discuss this approach with him/her. Make sure to ask to see personal befores and afters before agreeing to proceed. Best of luck.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Scar revision requires a disciplined approach to address the different characteristics of scars including texture, color, level of inflammation, vascularity, and hypertrophy. Our office specializes in scar revision because we have both cosmetic dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and general surgeons within our center. The ideal scar treatment is combination therapy that incorporates vascular lasers, microfractional RF and laser, microneedling, Micro-ionization ablation, PRP, topical growth serums and polysiloxane topical gels, and surgery if indicated.

I recommend Melarase PM for patients that have dark and discolored scars and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily for all new and hypertrophic scars prior to any treatment.

Best,

Dr. Karamanoukian

Realself100 Surgeon

I recommend Melarase PM for patients that have dark and discolored scars and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily for all new and hypertrophic scars prior to any treatment.

Best,

Dr. Karamanoukian

Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

fractional lasers with stem cells can help but often medical tattooing is needed. see an expert.
there are many options for  scars:
1. vascular lasers (yellow laser, vbeam, excel v)
2. fractional lasers (fraxel, erbium, co2)
3. microneedling/PRP
4. silicone based scar gels with growth factors
5. excision 
see an expert.
Best, Dr. Emer.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hello PW.  For lighter scars, we have sometimes been able to improve hypopigmented (white) scars with fractional resurfacing.  Nothing is perfect and as you've experienced it is difficult to do.  As a last resort we sometimes will suggest permanent makeup as a way to camouflage the scar although this is risky as the color is hard to match perfectly.  Best of luck.

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

If your scar's only problem is color, you can consider using a bleaching cream such as hydroquinone to slowly remove the pigment from the scar. If the scar is both dark and wide, you may consider a scar revision where the entire scar is cut out and edges of fresh skin are realigned to heal into a thin line. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD 
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Best treatment to reduce shiny, white surgical scar from lip lift surgery?

Answers (5)

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