Laser Skin Resurfacing - Ask a Surgeon

If it is wide enough then revision can be done. If it is just the whitish colour of a linear scar then in my hands a skin tattoo (micro pigmentation) will be more than enough to equalise the skin tone with 1-2 sessions. I hope this was helpful enough. Thank you

Give it more time. Unless the scar is contracted or distorting the skin, then it needs to be revised.

Fading an Old Scar
A year old white scar is faded as much as it will. The fact that the scar is white means that it is mature. If it is still a problem, the only option is revision.

Most facial wounds heal well with good scarring, if it is a " clean" wound with good skin approximation. A plastic surgeon can see you and recommend wound and scar care for you to maximize chances of a good outcome.

The stitches should be removed by any surgeon, and the incision allowed to mature and heal. It takes at least one year for scar maturation. We generally recommend moisturizer, sunscreen, and massage. If the scar is conspicuous at that point in time, you can see a plastic surgeon for possible scar revision. If the scar gets thick or ropey I would consult sooner rather than later. If the scar is located on the forehead, Botox may be a treatment you can do in the meantime to keep tension forces off the incision, which may decrease its visibility in the long run.

Treatment after Sutures Above Eye done in the ER.
There are only 2 things that you really need to know. First, the resultant scar is most related to the injury that caused the need for sutures. There is, therefore, nothing you can do now to modify the scar unless it becomes hypertrophic. If so, the scar can be injected to modify the healing process. Secondly, you need to know when to have the sutures out. In the face, the sutures should be removed at between 3-5 days to reduce the risk of the sutures worsening the scar or creating cysts. I would not consider doing anything for the scar (other than injecting it as above) for at least 6 months or a year until the scar is normal skin color.

I consider in my 25 years of practice the dermabrasion of vertical lips line is the most efficient.The recovery time is 7 to 10 days post op, but the result is natural and long lasting compared to any fillers or injection in this area. I usually perform this procedure before a Face Lift or together with Vertical Face Lift. I would advise fat transfer to this region of the face if necessary.

Great questions! In terms of timing, a facelift would not have a significant impact on deep wrinkles around your mouth. Thus, they can be performed in any order or you could have laser resurfacing at the same time as your facelift.

In terms of how to bet deal with the deep wrinkles around your mouth, a great deal depends on how much "sun damage" you have on your face. Any treatment modality - chemical peel, dermabrasion, laser ablation (CO2, erbium, fraxel ablation, etc.) can provide a significant improvement in the wrinkles around your mouth. BUT.....it will also make the skin around your mouth lighter in color. Often, patients that are in your age group with deep peri-oral wrinkles have a brown discoloration of the skin around the mouth and also on the adjacent facial skin. All of the above treatments will make the skin around the mouth lighter in color. While improving the wrinkles around the mouth, you may be unhappy with the difference in the skin color of the mouth area vs. the untreated adjacent skin of the face. Thus, while not a lasting solution, skin fillers may provide a temporary improvement in the wrinkles around your mouth. Please consider this information when you seek consultation with your ASAPS Board Certified plastic surgeon.

Laser resurfacing is the ultimate way to reduce vertical lip lines. However, if the lip is depleted, then use of a filler may restore normal lip anatomy and reduce many, if not most, of the vertical lines. I usually start there since recovery from a Laser procedure is at least a week to 2 weeks and redness remains for a number of months thereafter. Both this and the laser can be done at any time compared to the facelift as long as they are coordinated. However, before considering a laser, or peel which also works, I start my patients on skin rejuvenation including hydroquinone and Retin-A. This is best started well before the facelift. The surgeon whom you select for the facelift should be able to care for all these problems. Discuss your desires at length.