LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hi Dr. Lam, I would like to get your opinion on a scar I have on my cheek. It is really noticable and I would like to do something to improve it. It is depressed and has no pigmentation which makes it even more noticable. About 5 months ago I had total FX which showed little improvement. I still have discoloration around the scar that I am told will go away. How would you treat a scar like this? (I have attached some pictures).

Thank you so much for your time.

Hi Dr. Lam. Do white scars ever repigment on their own?

this is something that i would do silicone to fix. it would probably take me 2 to 3 rounds to get the job done. it would be improved but not perfect. as far as getting rid of a white scar, that is not easy. i would have to pre-botox it, cut it out, reduce tension, do a 2 layer closure, and pray for minimal stretchback.
best,
sml

Thanks for your reply. Would you need to do silicone if the scar was cut out? What do you mean by stretchback? Sorry for all the questions. Do you think there is a possibility if I opted to cut it out that I might make it look worse? When I apply make up it hardly looks indented. It is the whiteness that makes is look more obvious (to me anyways). Again, thanks for your time.

Would you need to do silicone if the scar was cut out? I WOULD THEN DO SILICONE MUCH LATER UNTIL I SAW THE ULTIMATE SHAPE OF IT DOWN THE ROAD. What do you mean by stretchback? THE SKIN RELAXES BACK AND THE SCAR LOOKS WHITE. Sorry for all the questions. THAT'S OK. Do you think there is a possibility if I opted to cut it out that I might make it look worse? YES. When I apply make up it hardly looks indented. It is the whiteness that makes is look more obvious (to me anyways). IF THE WHITENESS IS THE ISSUE THEN DON'T DO SILICONE. SILICONE IS ONLY FOR THE HOLE. IF YOU DO AN EXCISION OF THE AREA, IT MIGHT FIX BOTH THE HOLE AND THE WHITE BUT IT WOULD REQUIRE BIGGER INCISIONS TO DO THAT WHICH MIGHT ULTIMATELY HAVE MORE WHITE LINES. THE TRICK TO GOOD SURGERY IF YOU GO THAT DIRECTION IS UNDERSTANDING HOW TO MAKE THE INCISION (WHICH WILL BE 3 X LONGER) AND GOOD AFTER CARE WITH POSSIBLE DERMABRASON AND SCAR INJECTION AND LASER. IT WILL TAKE A YEAR OR TWO BEFORE IT LOOKS BETTER THEN. YOU NEED TO REALLY CONSIDER THAT. SILICONE HAS ALMOST NO RECOVERY BUT CUTTING IT OUT WILL MAKE IT LOOK WORSE BEFORE BETTER. BUT SILICONE WON'T FIX YOUR WHITENESS ISSUE. Again, thanks for your time. YOU'RE WELCOME.

Thank you for your reply and honesty. Although it was not what I wanted to hear. I was hoping because the size of the white scar is no more than 4mm that it could be punched out and stitched with the end result being a 4MM white line scar. Do you ever perform punch grafting? What are your thoughts on tatooing or permanent make up? Again thanks for your time.

I was hoping because the size of the white scar is no more than 4mm that it could be punched out and stitched with the end result being a 4MM white line scar. I WOULD NEED TO SEE IT IN PERSON. IF IT IS ONLY 4 MM, YOU MIGHT NOT NEED AS BIG AN INCISION. THIS FORUM IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC MEDICAL ADVICE. THAT IS WHAT A CONSULT DOES. IT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE GENERAL IDEAS AS TO A SITUATION. Do you ever perform punch grafting? NO. What are your thoughts on tatooing or permanent make up? TERRIBLE. IF YOU TAN OR HAVE ANY SUN EXPOSURE, THE PERMANENT MAKEUP WILL NOT MATCH. VERY RISKY IMHO. Again thanks for your time.

Appreciate all your help. I do have family in your area and just may make an appt. for a consult.

ok, look forward to meet you. just give me several months lead time for a consult. i believe i am booking into july right now.
best,
sml