How to Improve an Abdominoplasty Scar?

Hi Dr.,
Just wondering if you've seen real good results with the use of lasers to diminish or lighten surgery scars i.e., abdominoplasty scars? And if you have typically after how many sessions do you begin to see results.
Thanks for your time!


hi,
well, it depends on the scar.
if it is recent, i would wait at least 6 months for it to mature before treating it.
if it is raised, i would start by flattening it out with kenalog shots.
if it is dark, i would start with IPL treatments perhaps and see if that lightens it. do several treatments to give it a good effort - 3 would be good to at least see progress. hydroquinone cream is also useful. use the 8%.
if not, then you can go to a more intense laser like the fraxel or active fx.
active fx is also good if the scar is lighter than the surrounding skin and needs to be blended in better.
hope that helps