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Help to Remove Facelift Keloids for a "Light Lift"

asked 3 years ago by cantonie in missouri
Latest answer by Gregory J. Vipond, MD
Question viewed 3,313 times
Tags: keloid scar, scar

Sept 2007 I had a Light Lift where the surgeon cut in front and behind my ears and pulled the jaw bones up. This was in Houston. I have moved away from Houston and I have keloids in front and behind my ears and they itch and are sensitive. I have ask two dermatolgist what to do and they don't know. Please help me. Will the lumps just keep getting larger or should I try to find a plastic surgeon

32 answers to Help to Remove Facelift Keloids for a "Light Lift"

+3

Keloid Treatment

Scar revision after a facelift procedure often requires a more extensive facelifting procedure to remove enough of the scar. You need to find an experienced facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon to help with improving or eliminating the scar formation. If the scars are unable to be treated in one setting, a staged, second procedure may be required to get the best result. Best of luck!
Richard Castellano, MD

Tampa Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Minilifts often = maxiscars

You will see a common theme among patients who have undergone minilifts: hypertrophic or keloidal scarring. Why would a minilift result in large scarring? When incisions are closed after a real facelift performed by an expert facelift surgeon, they are closed with minimal tension. That means not too tightly at the place where the sutures are placed. The reason for this is simple: wounds that are closed under tension stretch, forming thick scars. So ironically, to avoid the burden of... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Removal of Keloids after Mini Lift

Keloids or hypertrophic scarring can occur after a mini lift if there was too much tension, or stretch, along the incision, if a suture material that is irritating to the skin was used, or if there was a separation or infection along the incisions. Occasionally, patients have a genetic tendency to make excess scar tissue, but with meticulous surgical technique, Mini Lift incisions generally heal very well. If you have visible scars, especially if they are older than 6 months, a scar... more
Gregory J. Vipond, MD

Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid or Hypertrophic scaring what to do?

Dear Cantonie, It seems that you have hypertrophic scars rather than Keloids. Hypertrophic scars are simply thicker, wider scars and they start to appear two to three weeks post surgery and stop growing. On the other hands keloid scars are pathological where the scar continues to grow beyond its original borders and they get very large. I would recommend you to see a plastic surgeon in your area. He or she will most likely to inject the area with Kenalog for at least 3 sessions and... more
Kevin Sadati, DO

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.galleryofcosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Rare to have true keloids after face lift surgery

I take care of numerous revision face lift patients in my practice.  I find that face lift incisions rarely leave true keloids.  If incisions are not closed properly, they do leave hypertrophic scars. In these instances, excision of the scar and removing tension from the incision lines with reclosure solves the problem.  If there is truly a keloid, then other options exists including steroid injections with re-excision all the way to radiation therapy (something I do not... more
Raghu Athre, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid scars after facelift surgery

Fortunately, facial scars in most cases heal extremely well and rarely form true keloids. A lot of people call thickened scars keloids even though it may not be the case. Thickened or tender scars are treated with either excision of the scar or injections. Radiation is commonly used for other locations, but in view of collateral damage I would rarely use it for facial scars. Traditionally I use steriods such as Kenalog 10 or 40 for reduction of scarring. I have been... more
Boris Volshteyn, MD, MS

Reno Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid Scars After a Facelift

There are a few ways to help with Keloid scars.  Most Doctors first attempt would be to do a Kenalog injection. This can help the scars appearance. Also, using silicone gel or sheeting can help to smooth out the scars. If they are very irritating, I would recommend seeing someone in your area for help. Good Luck!
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids after "Facelift"

Keloids can be treated with steroid injection, scar revision, compression, or radiation. The most practical techniques around the ear include steroid injections or cutting out the old scars.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Help with Face lift Scars

  Dear Cantonie, You likely have hypertrophic scars in the back of the ears as opposed to true keloids. Hypertrophic scars are simply thicker, wider scars, while keloid scars are a pathological phenomenon where the scar continues to grow beyond its original borders. If you have hypertrophic scars, the treatment may range from steroid injections to removal of the scar through surgery. The steroid helps to break down the scar tissue and will alleviate the itching very... more
Lawrence Tong, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids After A Facelift

Keloids and hypertrophic scars can occur for a variety of reasons: Excessive tension placed on the skin Failure to anchor the deeper tissue properly Propensity for poor scarring Early on, hypertrophic scars can be treated with kenalog injections.  However, once the scars have matured, the likelihood of improvement is less likely.  Excision of the scar, with lifting of the deeper tissue to avoid tension on the skin are steps to improve the appearance... more
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

KEKOIDS AND THE FACELIFT

Keloids are excessive growths of scar tissue that can become quite large.  The can also produce itching.  The usually occur in darker skin individuals and more often occur on ear lobes, chest  and arms.  keloids can be very tough to treat due there tendency to return.  Some options for "LONGTERM" keloid management are removal plus the use of steroid injections.  Medical grade silicone sheeting can be added to apply gentle pressure over the are to... more
Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bad facelift scars likely hypertrophic, due to excessive tension on the skin

Dear Cantonie, I would agree with my colleagues that you likely have hypertrophic scars, rather than keloids, due to excessive tension on the facelift incisions during healing. Many options exist and a qualified facial plastic surgeon can discuss them with you. Depending upon the severity of the hypertrophic scarring, your best option might be revision facelift with tension-free skin closure. I wish you well.
Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars after minimal facelifts

Unfortunately what you are experiencing is not an uncommon occurence after branded mini facelift procedures. As some other surgeons have pointed out, you may have hypertophic scars and not true keloids. In either case your options are to excise the scars and start over or attempt steroid injections with laser resurfacing. If these are hypertrophic scars, this would have likely been avoided with tension free closure after your initial procedure.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Successful correction of poor face lift scars

There is a difference between unsightly large scars and true keloids, but from practical perspective to a patient the difference is not very relevant.  You have two options, one is non-surgical treatment of the existing scars with various medications that are injected into the scars, followed by laser treatments to lessen the color and texture of the scars.  In my practice I have treated a number of poor face lift scars with revision face lift surgery.  In your case most... more
Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids vs Hypertrophic scars

Your large visible scars can either be keloids or more likely hypertrophic scars.  Most patients don't understand the difference between the two and assume that all thick scars are keloids.  keloids usually continue to grow where hypertrophic scars are thick and red, often itch or can be painful  They usually stabilize and often thin out on their own after about 1 - 1.5 yrs. These scars can successfully be treated using a combination of cortisone injections and... more
Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Abnormal scarring following facelift

Skin-only facelift has no place in modern aesthetic surgery of the face. The tension on the skin not only gives the face a distorted appearance, but also results in widening of the scar, deformity of the ears (pixie-ears) , and short duration of benefit from the surgery. I would recommend that the surgery be revised by a surgeon who is well-versed in modern facelifting techniques. The SMAS needs to be addressed, the scars need excision, and a tensionless closure of the skin needs to be... more
Wilfred Brown, MD

Fairfield Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hypertrophic scars after skin only lifts

Skin only lifts pull for that immediate improvement - but at what cost? The excess tension on the skin can make the scars you describe. A thorough facelift - lifts the SMAS layer and eliminates any tension on the skin. As a result the scars are minimal. Get to a plastic surgeon who can do the job right!
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Addressing keloids

These keloids need to addressed promptly and aggressively, so that they can be reduced in size and perhaps even eliminated altogether. Note that these may not be actual keloids, but rather hypertrophic or widened scars, in which the treatment may be somewhat different. The first line of treatment of actual keloids is steroid injections. A more involved but perhaps necessary intervention would be complete excision of the keloids, then every 4 to 6 week injections of steroids to prevent them... more
Jeffrey Epstein MD, FACS

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid revision after facelift

Thick scars after a facelift are not common. Thick scars or keloids may occur after surgery if the skin is overly bruised or overly tight, if you have a reaction to the stitches, if the skin edges were burned, or if you have an inherited tendency for such scars. The itching indicates that the scars are still active. There are a variety of surgical and non-surgical techniques that may help you. You need to see an experienced plastic surgeon who can examine you and recommend the best treatment. more
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids after surgery

You must make sure that these are keloids and not hypertrophic scars.  I don't know what a light lift is but it sounds like one of those gimmicky minimal procedures which are notorious for creating poor scarring.  If these are hypertrophic then you need a standard Facelift to remove the scars.  If they are Keloid then you would try steroid injections at  the time of Keloid removal followed by radiation.  AVOID THE GIMMICK MINILIFTS!!!!
Jason B. Diamond, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face Lift Scar

Keloids are a specific type of scar, which are usually on the ear in darker skinned individuals. Keloid scar treatment includes such things as steroid injection, surgical removal, and radiation for advanced scarring. Face lift scarring may occur along the incision and create a visible scar. Scars after face lift may occur more many reasons, and treatment varies based on many variables such as scar location, type of scar, skin type, etc. Speak with a face lift plastic surgeon to help... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift keloids

Without photos we can not tell if these are true "keloids" or a hypertrophic scar or a spread scar! If the latter two than time, compression, IPL therapies, scar creams with help. If a true keloid more invasive treatmenrs of steriod injections, IPL, even reecision + radiation. Regards from MIAMI
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

"Light Lift" or Wallet Lift?

Unfortunately, some surgeons and companies advertise newer, quicker, less down time, revolutionary procedures without any scientific evidence to back up their claims. A quickly done lift, or any procedure that cuts corners, usually places more tension on the skin. More tension on the skin equates with wider scars. I recommend seeing a real Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon or Plastic Surgeon and having your scars evaluated. Keloids after Facelift are rare in Caucasians. The... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid treatments

Keloids are rare after facelifts. There may be a slight increased incidence seen in African Americans, but even after facelifts it's not common. A mini facelift that results in excess tension will likely result in a hypertrophic scar. If you do have keloids, options include serial injections with Kenalog, or scar revision (excise scar with good repair). Often, after surgical revision, we recommend Kenalog injections.
Corey S. Maas, MD

San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids and facelift

Keloids are not that common after a facelift. Most of the time they are just hypertrophic. If this is the case they can either be injected with steroids or a revision of the scars can be performed.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids after facelifts are extremely rare!

I am very surprised to hear of your problem. I have been doing facelfits for 30 years and have never seen the problem you describe. Most of the time scars after facelifts that require revision are because they are too wide (which, by the way, is uncommon). Any keloid or hypertrophic scar would require reexcision and follow up with steroid injections, pressure, and possibly radiation therapy in radical circumstances. The revision is easy. The prevention afterwords is the hard part. more
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Two ways to remove facelift keloids

Keloids from a facelift can be approached in two ways. They can be excised with cortisone injected immediately into the excised area. If the patient does not wish to undergo the excisions, they can be reduced in size with repetitive cortisone injections on a monthly basis until they finally settle down.
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+1

Keloids grow and hypertrophic scars stabilize

It sounds as if you have keloid scars which are typified by progressive growth, pain and itching in response to relatively minor injuries. Hypertrophic scars occur in response to relatively significant injuries (large wounds or burns with protracted healing) that tend to remain stable in size once they are formed. They are extremely rare in face lift scars but do occasionally occur. Most commonly this occurs if skin demonstrates delayed healing. The pain and itching usually responds within... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Conservative treatment for facial Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars of the face should be treated conservatively with compression, massage, and intralesional injection of corticosteroids. The mainstay of treatment is conservative and an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon will be able to appropriately treat the condition.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

We should use this forum to debunk gimmicks like the Light Lift.

To cantonie, But this does not help you. I agree with the other surgeons that you really need a real facelift so that the thick scars can be removed. Then, hopefully, the wounds can be closed without tension. Normal facelift scars are essentially undetectable.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

See a plastic surgeon who is a facelift specialist.

I totally agree with the above answer. All of the media promotes whatever sounds "new". They don't tell you the problems associated with these "mini" procedures. The problem you are having is very common with these "week-end" simple procedures. As stated above, you will probably need a full facelift to remove the scars and give a better result as well. Injections won't make the scars go away; only surgery will.
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

You will eventually need a real facelift

As Dr. Moelleken expertly explained, you have the problem you have because of tension on your wound closure that is typical of mini-facelifts. In a real facelift, the tightening of the deeper tissues allows the surgeon to not rely at all on skin tightening and thsu to create better hairline scars. After a few more years, you might consider having this re-done by an expert facelift surgeon who can fix the scars. In the meantime, some injections fo Kenalog might be helpful to flaten the... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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