3 mos post CO2 laser and have raised patches of skin and gridlines that are visible through makeup. Is this permanent? (photos)

Question

Hi there, I got laser done three months ago and I don’t know if this is normal healing or not. I have large patches of raised skin, and the majority of my skin is not healed yet. It’s been three months and I read typical healing takes 10-14 days. I’m really really scared this is permanent and I ended up worse than before. Thanks in advance.

William Groff, DO · Answer

I recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist who is an expert in laser skin resurfacing to help avoid any risk of scarring.  While it is difficult to provide a formal assessment without seeing you as a patient in my clinic, from your photos it appears that you may need some restorative topical cosmeceuticals, and potentially some mild revision work to address the residual grids and marks from your previous treatment.  All of these treatments are safe and effective in the right hands, so be sure to see an expert. In my practice we have over 45 lasers that we safely use to customize treatment plans for the unique needs and goals of each of our patients.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

you need a cosmelan peel and skin care at this time. also you should have started non ablative lasers with punch excisions or subcision and filler at this time. all of that will blend with the proper after care but sounds like you didnt have that. please consult an expert and start your long term plan.Acne scar treatment needs a combination approach for improvement. For the best results, one should target the acne scar type. As everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring, the best solution is a tailored one. Typically you need fillers like bellafill and sculptra for atrophic indented type scars with or without subcision. Subcision for depressed tethered scars. Vascular lasers like yellow laser, aerolase, excel V or IPL for redness or thick scars. And lasers such as fraxel, erbium, co2 or fractional radiofrequency like venus viva, skinfinity, intensif or fractora microneedling RF for textural issues and superficial scarring. Deep ice pick scars and narrow box car scars are best treated with TCA CROSS and punch excision. All lasers are combined with microneedling and PRP to get even better results and improve healing times. The majority of patients will have a collection of different scar types, and hence a tailored treatment plan is needed by an expert physician. It is never about the laser or product that gives the results, its about the expert behind the equipment that gets you the outcome. Scars cannot be cured and will need life-long treatments to maintain and build on the results. For those at high risk for hyperpigmentation (darker skin types or asian or hispanic or mixed ethnicities) we alreayd pre-treat the skin with cosmelan or enlighten lightening peels to prevent complications from energy-based or chemical-based treatments. Best, Dr. Emer.

3 mos post CO2 laser and have raised patches of skin and gridlines that are visible through makeup. Is this permanent? (photos)

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