Question from South Africa, ZA: I would like to know if Botox would help in raising the scars (indented)? The scar is quite old. I would like to have it raised to the same level as the rest of my skin on my face.
Answer from Dr. Dean Kane, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon from Baltimore:
Botox is a muscle relaxer and works cosmetically to reduce the creases, lines and wrinkles of facial expression. On rare occasion, a scar may tether to a underlying facial muscle and Botox may release the pulling effect but don’t rely on this effect for a scar remedy.
The attached photo is not visible so I cannot comment on it.
Every scar is different. Each person and each body or face site that the skin is cut or punctured will heal with a different quality of scar.
Some are flat and thin but many are thick and ropey, red or pigmented brown.
Some pull causing a contracture or are lumpy. There are many different treatments depending on the quality of your scar(s) which I will address below.
When it bothers you, we may consider the following options:
1. Waiting for the scar to “mature” i.e. become soft and flat
2. Massaging the scar, using scar creams and silicone sheeting to soften it
3. IPL and vascular laser and light therapies to reduce the redness and ‘ropeyness’
4. Steroid injection to reduce the growth and lumpiness
5. Retinoids, hydroquinone skin therapy to reduce the thickness and pigmentation
6. Fillers and / or Subcision, a technique to cut the scar loose and fill the separation with filler or fat
7. Surgical removal and revision of the scar.
A scar is permanent and many times becomes imperceptible. Time, of course will help scars improve.
Please seek the evaluation and opinion of a well experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to provide you your best options.
All the best!
