I was bitten by a dog 4 years ago and was left with a scar on my upper lip. Is Dermabrasion the best option for me? (Photo)

Dear patient, Dermabrasion is an option but seems too aggressive to me. I have been practicing Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery for over 20 years. I do perform Dermabrasion but warn my patients that the healing time is twice as long as a fractional Co2laser. Additionally Dermabrasion can permanently change the color and texture of the skin. It seem too aggressive to me for this type of scarring. I suggest you consider 2 sessions with a fractional Co2 laser such as Mixto Co2 . Results will look more natural and haling time is shorter. I hope this was helpfu. Yours Dr David R.

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

Thank you for your question.Dermabrasion would help to flatten out the scar, another option may be microneedling as well. Microneedling would require more than one treatment.