How to Get Rid of Facial Indents?

Question

I had a mole from my chin removed about a year ago. The doctor told me there would be a scar after, turns out it was an indent. Is there any way or type of surgery i could have that would get rid of this indent?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Mole removal begins with a comprehensive examination and consultation to determine the likelihood of a mole being worrisome. Excisional and incisional biopsies are reserved for suspicious moles. But it’s good news that most moles are not problematic and are only cosmetic, thus leading to the option of scarless or non-surgical mole removal with lasers and RF and plasma. Our office specializes in non-surgical mole removal.

Best,
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Realself 100 Surgeon

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

It may be advisable to have a scar revision, though it is difficult to really assess without seeing a photo.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Atrophic, sunken or depressed scars, whether the result of acne, trauma or prior surgery can be quite distressing. To add insult to injury, their appearance is often exaggerated by what has been described as the "craters of the moon" effect, whereby shadowing of the base in side lighting can accentuate the appearance of the depression and even make it seem deeper than it may in fact be.

	Subcision, a technique that uses a small, sterile needle cutting device, can help elevate the depression. This in itself is a welcome improvement. However, the very act of releasing the bound down tissue serves also reduce the shadowing effect.

	The procedure is quick, simple and relatively inexpensive. Following local anesthesia, the needle is inserted directly below the depression and is used to break up the thick fibrous bands of scar tissue that pull the surface downward. As a secondary benefit, this process leads to production of new, healthy collagen fibers to replace the abnormal, severed fibrous bands. In general, between two to four treatments spaced at six week intervals are required to obtain the desired elevation and smoothing of the indentation. Since true, native collagen synthesis is promoted in this fashion, the results of treatment are typically permanent.

	If the surface of the indentation is off-color, a series of medical microneedling treatments might prove useful for evening out the color and matching it more closely with that of the surrounding skin.

Philip Young, MD · Answer

Sounds like the area became depressed. The options include removal of the dent, filling the dent with fat / or fillers, etc. Essentially you could call what you need a Scar Revision.

Andrew Kaufman, MD · Answer

Depressed scars can sometimes occur when a mole is removed by tangential excision (i.e. shaving it off). There are a number of treatments that might help. These include scarabrasion where the scar and the surrounding area is dermabraded to try to even out the level of the scar. Soft-tissue fillers like Juvederm or Restylane can be used to elevate the depressed scar, but require retreatment in 9-12 months usually. Lasers or light sources can be used in the same way as scarabrasion (i.e. ablative resurfacing) or to stimulate collagen production without trauma to the overlying skin (i.e. non-ablative resurfacing). Best option is to talk to your doctor about your concerns and what option or combination of options is best for you. Good luck.

How to Get Rid of Facial Indents?

Answers (6)

Answer: Mole removal and facial dent from this procedure

Answer: Mole removal and facial dent from this procedure

Answer: Removal of Facial Dent

Answer: Removal of Facial Dent

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Everything you need to know about Mole Removal

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How to Get Rid of Facial Indents?

Answers (6)

Answer: Mole removal and facial dent from this procedure

Answer: Mole removal and facial dent from this procedure

Answer: Removal of Facial Dent

Answer: Removal of Facial Dent

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mole Removal

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