Nasal Scar Revision

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a nose scar due to a dog bite. I would like to remove it as much as I can since I am a model. This scar is causing me a lot of distress. I will be waiting patiently for answer so we can talk thru and discuss options.

A: You did not say how old your nasal scar is. But that issue aside, these is no such thing as ‘scar removal’. All that exists is scar reduction. Once you have a scar you will always have it, it is just a question of how less noticeable it can be made.

Your nasal scar revision options do not include excision or any form of cutting it out, that will only make it look worse. The same applies to dermabrasion. While potentially effective there are risks of going too deep and causing worse scarring. Microdermabrasion poses the opposite risk of assuredly making no difference. It is too superficial of a skin treatment. Your nasal scar revision options to consider, therefore are fractional and ablative laser resurfacing techniques. Given its small surface area on the tip of your nose I would first try an ablative laser surfacing treatment and see how much improvement can be obtained.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana