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)

Question

I am considering scar revision and the plastic surgeon advised me to do lip Dermabrasion. The scar is white in color and has healed with a raised bump. Is Dermabrasion the best option for me?

A. David Rahimi, MD · Answer

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.

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

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

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.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hello Lauren.  Before performing surgery or even dermabrasion, we would try fractional laser resurfacing.  That would improve the texture of the scar.  If the light area persists, we would recommend pigmented it with permanent makeup.  This is an excellent option to camouflage white scars.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Dermabrasion (or laser resurfacing) would be a safe place to start.  The next level up from that would be a scar revision.

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)

Answers (6)

Answer: Dog Bite Scar Revision

Answer: Dog Bite Scar Revision

Answer: Dog bite scar on lip

Answer: Dog bite scar on lip

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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)

Answers (6)

Answer: Dog Bite Scar Revision

Answer: Dog Bite Scar Revision

Answer: Dog bite scar on lip

Answer: Dog bite scar on lip

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dermabrasion

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