Scar treatment for WLE

Sorry that you have had to deal with melanoma, but so thankful you are currently well.  I am also sorry for the discomfort your scars cause.  I understand.  I had my first surgical scars at age 39.  I now have more than 20.  I don’t love them.  But, as you acknowledge, we’re still here!  Here’s some info that you may find helpful ~

1.  Do lasers help in diminishing scars?  Well – it’s plus minus.  It depends on the scar tissue, the color of your skin, the skill of the person using the laser.  Here is a report addressing laser use for scars: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325762  
2. Do lasers increase risk of melanoma?  Some say absolutely not.  Some say yes it does – but depends on the type of laser used.  There is this report:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5653718/  This article notes:  ” The existing evidence base of over 25 years of laser and IPL use to date has not raised any concerns regarding its long-term safety with only a few anecdotal cases of melanoma post treatment over two decades of use; therefore, there is no evidence to suggest that there is a credible cancer risk. Although laser and IPL technology has not been known to cause skin cancer, this does not mean that laser and IPL therapies are without long-term risks.”
3. I think the bigger risk comes from “hiding” lesions as is explained in this report:  https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/10/04/laser-skin-treatment-cancer-risk/

If you decide to explore laser therapy, be sure to seek a provider who employs it often for the specific treatment of surgical scars (use in hair removal and other things is not the same) and ask lots of questions.

I have written about the mixed feelings my scars engender.  Here is one such post with a link to another within:  https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2019/05/sew-chaotically-cute-linen-top-and.html

Most of all, as I said in the post – this sentiment is what I have settled on ~

…there is this beautiful paragraph from: Little Bee, by Chris Cleave

“On the girl’s brown legs there were many small white scars. I was thinking, Do those scars cover the whole of you, like the stars and the moons on your dress? I thought that would be pretty too, and I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. But you and I, we must make an agreement to defy them. We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.”

Hope this helps.  I wish you my best.  celeste

I had a particularly nasty scar on my lower leg after a WLE for in-situ and opted for laser treatment.

They tend to leave lower leg WLE’s open (no stitches so the wound heals from an open/unstitched state). This scar was about the size of a nickel with a distinct depression into my skin. I recently completed 3 Fraxel laser treatments from a laser specialist who works in a highly respected skin cancer and derm clinic. The results are impressive.

If you go this route, note that the scar will look worse before it gets better because the scar and the area around it will be darkened, like a dark purple bruise, for 1-3 months.

I also find silicone scar strips work great and feel very comfortable.

Megan

That said, in addituon to laser, I know there’s something like a little sandpaper grinder to smooth out the skin. You might ask about that