Will My Chin Scar Eventually Need A Scar Revision?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have chin scar which is still new and is about 3 months old. I got it falling off a skateboard falling onto asphalt. It is in the central and lower area of my chin and is slightly indented I am uncertain as to exactly what to do. I hope it does not stay this way as it heals further. I have attached some pictures of it for your advice? Is there going to be a substantial improvement in the way it looks in the next few months? I am worried about the indentation and the whitish color of the scar line. I appreciate any advice you can give.

A:  Thank you for sending your pictures which show the chin scar well. As scars heal there are certain features which will improve with time and others that won’t. Scar redness and a feeling of firmness are the main features that will improve with time. A raised scar is also a scar feature that can settle down and get flat as it matures. The two features that won’t improve significantly with time are scar width and depression or indentation. Scars over bony facial prominences, such as the chin and cheeks, often end up indented as fatty tissue is lost underneath it from the trauma of the injury. When combined with scar contracture/tightening as it heals, the scar can seem like it is being pulled inward. 

In looking at your scar, although it is still early, the width of the scar and its indentation suggest that it may not improve greatly as it heals. I would give it the benefit of some more time. But if you see no substantial change in the next few months, then I would consider early scar revision. The good news is that the scar width and indentation can be significantly improved by scar revision techniques.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana