Septo-rhinoplasty columellar scar, can it be improved with laser? (photo)

Question

i had open septo-rhinoplasty 9 months ago, very pleased with everything but my columellar scar.it looks like a wrinkle on my nose ,obvious even with lots of make up because it is indented and i don't want a scar revision-another surgery and risky can fraxional co2 laser remove the indent by recurfacing?how long would it take?would it really work?because it is a very deep scar and would the pigmentation change in the treated area? thank you for your time and knowledge :) any help is appreciated

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Aaron Stone, MD · Answer

I have had only one patient over the years that was a good candidate for this incision in this spot. You could try laser to bring down the edges on either side of the scar but no laser will bring the indented area forward and I can't see any advantage of fractional over non-fractional CO2 in this setting. I had one patient some years ago that responded well to CO2 laser of a columella scar a bit further out on the columella.I hope you realize that this format of posting questions and receiving answers lacks the face to face direct communication required for you to make an informed decision regarding your surgery.My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship in order to know if this assessment is valid.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If the scar is indented, you may be a candidate for a revision, but it would have to be seen in person.  Lasers possibly could help if the scar was raised not depressed.

Septo-rhinoplasty columellar scar, can it be improved with laser? (photo)

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Septo-rhinoplasty columellar scar, can it be improved with laser? (photo)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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