Week 4 - Grand Finale

Week 4 to the end

This post summarized the last few weeks of healing from PDL.

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Day 29 

Day 32

Day 48

As you can see on Day 48, my neck was still healing from the treatment.

The next day I saw the dermatologist and found that the Pulsed Dye Laser does not seem to be as effective as expected.

After a brief discussion, we decided not to go through with another treatment, but to swap over to a fraxel laser. I will consider re-naming the blog and continue to document my experience with that laser.

Week 3 - Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment.. Slowing down

Week Three

I am working on figuring out how to best show this progress. Maybe I will look into making an animated gif each week.

Anyway, here's week three:

Day 15

Day 15 Progress

Day 16

Day 16 Progress

No idea what changed here, but Day 16 is looking like the most change in recent days.

Day 17

Day 17 Progress

Day 18

Day 18 Progress

Day 19

Day 19 Progress

Day 20

Day 20 Progress

I am starting to think that the photo on day 16 was particularly good looking due to the black shirt I was wearing (high contrast to my light skin).

Day 21

Day 21 Progress

Sadly even with the magic of the high contrast dark shirt - progress seems flat.

This concludes week three. My next appointment was scheduled to be 6 weeks after - but I may end up moving that to 4 or 5 weeks after.

Week 2 - Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment.. More Healing!

Week 2

The process continues!

Day 8

Day 8 Progress

Day 9

Day 9 Progress

Day 10

Day 10 Progress

Day 11

Day 11 Progress

Day 12

Day 12 Progress

Day 13

Day 13 Progress

Day 14

Day 14 Progress

As you can see, most of the major bruising is gone by the second week. Very slow improvement through the last half of week two.

Week 1 - Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment

Treatment

The actual pulsed dye laser treatment was very quick. I think the actual process took 5 minutes or less. Just as the dermatologist suggested - the treatment felt exactly like a rubber band snapping against my neck.

There was some initial pain, but the worst came within several minutes after completion. Specifically in the reception area where I went to check-out.

What surprised me:

• Treatment was very quick, just a few minutes
• The initial bruising is unlike anything I imagined (shown below) - my scar basically turned black
• Pain laster for just a few hours after the procedure, but it wasn't unbearable (no medication required)
• Specifics around recovery (no alcohol for weeks, no exercise for days)

Notes from the nurses:

• You can't apply too much aquaphor
• You shouldn't drink or exercise

Day 1

Day 1 - Shortly after treatment

Day 1 - Closeup

Day 1 - Shirt test

Day 2

Day 2 Progress

Day 3

Day 3 Progress

Day 4

Day 4 Progress

Day 5

Day 5 Progress

Note: Less Aquaphor on the photo above shows more texture than previous photos.

Day 6

Day 6 Progress

Day 7

Day 7 Progress

Well, that concludes the first week of the healing process. Lots of improvement from the first day of treatment. Also it appears that I may be allergic to band-aids...

Day 0 - Pulsed Dye Laser to Treat Surgical Scarring

My Story

Welcome!

Now that enough time has passed, I decided to look into what options exist for reducing the visibility of my surgical scar. After being frustrated when searching for progress pictures and results of treating a surgical scar with a pulsed dye laser, I decided to document my own experience. 

After a consultation with a dermatologist that works with lasers, we decided that I was a good candidate for a pulsed dye laser. The pulsed dye laser should be most effective at reducing the pigmentation of my scar. Down the line we may talk about using a fractional laser (Fraxel laser) if needed.

Baseline Photos

Two Weeks After Surgery

1 Year 9 Months After Surgery

1 Year 9 Months After Surgery