Question:
I was bitten by a dog on my cheek when I was a kid. The scar still bothers me and I’m very self-conscious about it. It never healed particularly well and is now thinner but still a raised, very long line that’s whiter than the rest of my skin. Is there anything that can be done to improve it?
Answer:
Scars can often be improved by surgical techniques ranging from simple excision and closure to laser. If the scar is running in the appropriate direction, simple excision and closure will often benefit. If it is running in an unfavorable direction, then more sophisticated methods of excision and closure using camouflage techniques might be indicated. Skin resurfacing techniques may also be beneficial to further improve the result. While a scar can never be made to fully disappear, improvement can usually be achieved and in some cases to the extent that the scar is no longer visible without close inspection.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
