Can You Improve a Surgical Scar Years Later? My Journey with Microneedling and CO₂ Laser Resurfacing

By Vanessa Coppes

Photography Courtesy of Aura Reality

For four years, I've carried a reminder of two life-changing surgeries: my tummy tuck and my hysterectomy.

Like many women, I assumed that with enough time my scar would gradually fade. It healed, but not in the way I had hoped. The texture remained uneven, the pigmentation was still noticeable, and every glance in the mirror brought me back to a chapter that was as emotionally transformative as it was physical.

I wasn't looking to erase my procedures, I was looking to feel more confident in the skin that tells it.

That decision led me to Millennial Plastic Surgery in New York City, where I met with Dr. David Shokrian, a plastic surgeon whose expertise extends beyond cosmetic enhancement into reconstructive surgery and scar management.

Looking Beyond Cosmetic Surgery

Choosing a physician for scar revision isn't simply about finding someone who owns the latest laser technology. It requires finding someone who understands how skin heals, how collagen remodels over time, and how different treatments can work together to improve the quality of scar tissue.

Dr. David Shokrian brings that perspective to every patient he treats.

After earning his medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, he completed his general surgery residency at Nassau University Medical Center before pursuing advanced fellowship training in plastic surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also completed specialized training in burn reconstruction at the William Randolph Hearst Burn Center at Weill Cornell Medical Center.

A Practice Built Around Modern Aesthetic Medicine

Dr. Shokrian is the founder of Millennial Plastic Surgery, a practice with locations in Manhattan, and Long Island. The practice combines surgical procedures with advanced non-surgical treatments, offering patients comprehensive aesthetic care in an accredited surgical setting.

Why Combine Microneedling and CO₂ Laser?

Dr. Shokrian recommended combining microneedling with fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing. Microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin production through controlled micro-injuries, while fractional CO₂ laser resurfaces damaged tissue and promotes deeper collagen remodeling. Together, these treatments can improve the texture, thickness, and appearance of mature surgical scars.

My Experience

The procedure began with topical numbing before treatment. The laser portion was the most intense, followed by microneedling. Immediately afterward, my skin looked and felt like a significant sunburn, which was expected. Healing takes time, and collagen continues remodeling for months.

More Than Skin Deep

Scar revision isn't about erasing the past. It's about helping scars blend more naturally while honoring the experiences they represent. Four years after my surgeries, I realized it wasn't too late and I wanted the outside to reflect the healing that had already taken place within.

Watch My Full Journey on BELLA TV

I documented every step of this experience—from consultation and procedure to recovery and my honest results. Watch the full journey on BELLA TV.