LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hello,
I'm posting here so everyone can have the benefit of reading Dr. Lam's response. I had some moles removed about 7 weeks ago and Dr. Lam plans to do some dermabrasion on at least one of the incisions to help make the scar less noticeable. Here are my questions:

On how much surface area will you be using dermabrasion? Is it a larger area around the incision or just directly on the scar? Do you numb the area with a needle? Also, how long did you say it would be before I could wear make up? I plan to go home on the same day of the dermabrasion - is that ok? (I'm from out of town). And will I have to come back to Dallas a few weeks later for a follow up or would pictures be adequate for you to check my progress?

I watched the videos on plasma re-surfacing so I assume the after care is the same.

Also, what is the reason dermabrasion is the preferred treatment for me over plasma re-surfacing? Just curious because they sound similar to me, but I know they must be different.

Thank you Dr. Lam!

MY ANSWERS ARE PROVIDED IN ALL CAPS:

On how much surface area will you be using dermabrasion?
JUST REALLY OVER THE INCISION LINE PLUS A SMALL 2 TO 3 MM ON EITHER SIDE OF THE INCISION.

Is it a larger area around the incision or just directly on the scar?
DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN HERE BUT IT COVERS THE INCISION PLUS AS MENTIONED A COUPLE OF MM ON EITHER SIDE OF THE INCISION.

Do you numb the area with a needle?
YES. NUMBING CREAM USUALLY IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE THE AREA SUFFICIENTLY NUMB. BUT AS YOU KNOW I AM REALLY GOOD WITH NEEDLES SO YOU SHOULDN'T EVEN FEEL THEM. I WILL DO A DENTAL BLOCK ON THE RIGHT SIDE ONLY PRIOR TO THE NEEDLE INJECTION.

Also, how long did you say it would be before I could wear make up?
PERHAPS A WEEK OR 2 MORE DAYS THAN A WEEK.

I plan to go home on the same day of the dermabrasion - is that ok? (I'm from out of town).
YES. IDEALLY, I FOLLOW A DERMABRASION OVER THE WEEK TO SEE HOW IT HEALS BUT WE WILL HAVE TO DO THAT WITH PHOTOS.

And will I have to come back to Dallas a few weeks later for a follow up or would pictures be adequate for you to check my progress?
I THINK PHOTOS SHOULD BE FINE. IF THE INCISION GETS THICKER THEN 5-FU MAY BE NEEDED, BUT YOU KNOW THAT ALREADY.

I watched the videos on plasma re-surfacing so I assume the after care is the same.
YES, PRETTY MUCH IDENTICAL EXCEPT YOU WILL PUT A SARAN-WRAP OVER THE AREA FOR THE FIRST 2 DAYS BECAUSE THE AREA WILL FEEL A BIT SORE WITHOUT IT. PLASMA SKIN RESURFACING MAINTAINS YOUR SKIN OVER THE CRITICAL FIRST 1 TO 2 DAYS SO THAT YOU DON'T FEEL ANY DISCOMFORT. YOU MAY ALSO "WEEP" A BIT FROM THE WOUND FOR 1 TO 2 DAYS. THE SARAN WRAP WILL SERVE AS A NEW SKIN UNTIL YOUR NEW SKIN STARTS TO FORM IN 1 TO 2 DAYS.

Also, what is the reason dermabrasion is the preferred treatment for me over plasma re-surfacing? Just curious because they sound similar to me, but I know they must be different.
THEY ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT. EVEN THOUGH BOTH REMOVE OLD SKIN FOR NEW SKIN TO FORM, PLASMA IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE SAFE, GLOBAL SKIN REJUVENATION OF THE ENTIRE FACE. DERMABRASION WITH A MECHANICAL FLYWHEEL THAT SPINS AT 35,000 RPM CAN BE USED DELICATELY TO FEATHER SMALL AREAS, E.G., SCARS, WRINKLES AROUND THE MOUTH, ETC. BUT IS HARD TO CONTROL EVENLY OVER THE ENTIRE FACE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE DERMABRADER (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH MICRODERMABRASION WHICH IS NOTHING MORE THAN A LITTLE FACIAL SCRUB) IS INTENDED TO SAND DOWN UNEVEN EDGES THAT PLASMA WILL NOT DO. THE EDGES OF THE INCISION ARE STILL SLIGHTLY VISIBLE AND NEED TO BE SANDED DOWN TO AN EVEN PLANE. THINK OF WOODCUT IN HIGH SCHOOL (NEVER DID THAT MYSELF). IN FACT, A LADY THAT I DID LAST WEEK WITH PLASMA (ALONG WITH UPPER EYELIDS, FAT GRAFTING, FACELIFTING, LIP LIFT) WILL NEED TO HAVE A DERMABRASION (WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE) AROUND THE MOUTH IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS SINCE THE PLASMA DOES GREAT FOR TEXTURE AND TONE BUT OFTENTIMES IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AROUND THE MOUTH FOR REALLY STRONG WRINKLES. I HOPE THAT IS CLEAR.

Thank you Dr. Lam - that is all very clear.

i'm glad.

here's the video on dermabrasion i shot for you today to make my explanation clearer:

lamfacialplastics.com/plastic_surgery/dallas/content/view/1685/425/

best,
sml

Wow, that was great!! Very informative. Thank you so much!!

i am here to serve.