Laser Scar Revision

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in laser scar revision. I unfortunately was diagnosed with a sarcoma in my abdominal wall and had resective and reconstructive surgery two months ago. I’m just looking into options to help make my scar look as normal as possible. I was researching laser scar revision and I came across your website and thought you could help with the treatment. I’m just looking at all options at this point. I know now is a bit early since I just had surgery, but I want to continue to stay as proactive as possible and I want to know all my options moving forward. I have attached a picture of my abdominal scar. 

A: Thank you for sending your abdominal scar picture. This is an early scar which fortunately is fairly narrow. It is still very red and is not close to eventual scar maturation. (when the redness of the scar will face) So certainly there will be some improvement in the appearance of the scar by the pure passage of time. When it comes to any form of scar therapy, however, now is the time to act not later. Scar treatments have their best effect between 3 weeks and 3 to 4 months after surgery…not a year later. So your looking into scar treatments now is the appropriate time. The best scar treatment at this time is going to be fractional laser scar revision treatments. A series of three laser treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart is my scar therapy approach followed by intervening topical silicone gel applications. These are treatments that can be done in the office under topical anesthesia. While will never make your scar completely disappear, laser scar revision will make it look better in the long run than just natural healing in its own.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana