Can a rhinoplasty scar reopen 7 years post op? (Photos)

Question

I had a rhinoplasty 7 years ago , and a couple days ago i noticed my scar at the bottom near my nostrils it was red and very visible i had no trauma to the nose and no pain or discharge , i dont know if i just never paid attention to it or could ve thats it reopened ? Is it possible to have reopened ?

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

A rhinoplasty scar would not usually “reopen” on its own 7 years after surgery, especially if there was no trauma, pain, bleeding, or discharge. By that time, the scar tissue is mature and generally stable.
What you are noticing is more likely temporary redness or irritation over the old scar area rather than the incision actually opening. This can happen from friction, shaving or hair removal, skin inflammation, acne/folliculitis, dryness, sun exposure, or simply becoming more aware of a scar that was already there.
From your description, it does not sound urgent if there is no wound separation, drainage, increasing pain, swelling, or spreading redness. I would avoid picking or rubbing the area and keep the skin gently moisturized. If the redness fades over the next days to weeks, it was probably irritation.
However, if the area becomes painful, opens, bleeds, drains fluid, develops a crust that does not heal, or the redness keeps increasing, you should be examined in person by your surgeon or a dermatologist. But a true reopening of a 7-year-old rhinoplasty scar without trauma would be very unlikely.

Can a rhinoplasty scar reopen 7 years post op? (Photos)

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