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

The picture submitted shows a moderately hyperpigmented albeit favorably placed horizontal scar, parallel to relaxed skin tension lines (frown lines)  If the scar is not significantly depressed, I would suggest use of hydroquinone (bleaching cream) and sunblock (spf > 30).  If the scar is depressed or wide, excision and closure may be of benefit.  Given the pigmentation in your skin type, I would be cautious with the use of any laser and understand that the possibility of further hyperpigmentation exists with any excisional technique.

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Your scar is hyperpigmented, but in a favorable direction. I would recommend holding off on any surgical interventions and treat with retin-A, hydroquinone, and avoidance of sun exposure. The main concern is creating a larger or darker injury - so be conservative and patient.


Be healthy and be well,James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

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.