Laser-Assisted Punch Grafting

Scarred areas of the face are released or replaced with healthy skin from another site.

The best scars to treat by punch grafting are small (less than 3-4mm) deep, and sharp-walled, e.g. the ice-pick scars of acne of chicken pox. This procedure gives a permanent correction if the graft survives in its new location.

The procedure

Under local anaesthetic, the scar is removed with a punch biopsy. This instrument cuts out the scar, leaving a small circular wound. This is then filled with a piece of skin taken from another area [usually behind the ear].  The recipient site usually has a dressing, while the donor site will have some stitches.

Any number up to about 25 grafts may be placed at one time. If more grafts are required, this is usually best divided into two procedures. One to two months later, a resurfacing laser procedure may be necessary to merge the grafts into the surrounding skin.

The healing process

After one week, dressings and stitches are removed. The little grafts look like small bumps on the face until the area is lasered 1-2 months later, and will require some make-up for several months until the merging process with the surrounding skin is complete. During this phase, the grafts may look different in colour (usually pinker), and the edges may be visible.  These aspects settle during the healing process.