What Can I Do to Get Rid of This Scar on my Forehead?

Scars may result from injury, trauma, surgery, severe inflammation (such as from nodulocystic acne) or infection (e.g. chicken pox scars). No scar, once fully formed, can be totally erased. But there are a couple of different treatments that I have found extremely effective for improving them.

One technique, known as scarabrasion, is particularly effective for treating relatively fresh scars, i.e. those that have resulted from any of the above processes within the previous three months. Manual dermasanding, which uses what amounts to sterilized, high grade sandpaper, to abrade the surface of the young scar and the surrounding skin (under local anesthesia), when performed within this critical period, may significantly improve the appearance of the scar, and in some instances almost erase it. 

For older scars, i.e. those well beyond this critical three month period, I have found medical microneedling to be quite useful. In this procedure, which is performed under local, a roller device containing many fine, almost microneedles, is rolled back and forth over the scar to break it up and to promote the sythesis of fresh, non-scar collagen. Several treatments, spaced at six week intervals, are often required, to significantly improve and fade the scar.

Thanks for the picture of your scar included in with your question! It shows a slightly hyperpigmented (dark colored) scar located over the middle of your forehead; it is horizontally/transversely positioned and is parallel to relaxed skin tension lines (frown lines) which are normal across your forehead (just raise your eyebrows to see them). The importance of this orientation means that in time it will blend into the normal lines and creases across your forehead and become virtually impossible to see.

 If the scar is not significantly depressed, I would suggest use of hydroquinone (bleaching cream) and aggressive use of sunblock (spf at least 30).

However, if the scar is depressed or casts a shadow in certain light, surgical re-excision and meticulous closure by a (facial) plastic surgeon may help fill in the area. Given the pigmentation in your skin type, I would be cautious with the use of any laser as further "injury" to the area (via laser) may cause hyperpigmentation to recur or even worsen.

Hope this helps! BTW, time is your best friend as well.

Dr. C

johnconnorsmd.com

It is difficult to assess from this one picture but it appears hyperpigmented and efforts to bleach the area may be beneficial. If it is red, IPL treatments may also be beneficial. Occasionally dermabrasion may be useful as well.