Chin Scar Revision

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am 22 years old and am interested in chin scar revision. When I was a child I slipped and fell on my chin resulting in one big visible white scar on my chin and two small ones, and another one on the bottom of the inside of my my mouth in front of the teeth. The cut inside my mouth healed absolutely perfect without even using stitches but the same can’t be said about the scars on my chin. Now eight years later I really want to get something done to minimize the white scars, as it really affects my confidence and my ability to be happy with my appearance immensely. 

The medical report from the incident reads as follows: “Cut on inside of mouth (1 cm deep) that seems to be connected to external scar on chin. It was judged that it didn’t need to be sutured but the chin is taped up and back. The tape will sit until it falls of. On the chin (external injury) scar that is 1.5 cm long and relatively deep; local anesthesia with carbocaine-adrenalin. Sutured with single sutures 5-0 Ethilon, which are to be removed in 6 days time. Otherwise there are some excoriations on the lower lip but no other cuts.”

Now the texture of the skin beneath is kinda hard and it feels like the area is slightly raised. I also think that as a result of the trauma the surrounding skin changed texture to become more bumpy and depressed in some areas. Can something also be done about the lack of hair growth in the scars? I am open to anything that can be done and I’m price insensitive as long as an improvement can be achieved.

A: What you have is a typical white scar line that runs perpendicular to the relaxed skin tension lines of the chin. Given where it is oriented it has healed better than one might have anticipated. But that being said it is still noticeable and it has a residual appearance that bothers you. It can be improved through a chin scar revision procedure where the scar is completely cut out and then closed in a geometric pattern to break up the straight scar line. I would use Acell particles to plant into the car to help lessen how much scar would form the second time around. 

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana