What Is Typical Alar Base Reduction Healing Time?

Healing times can vary from person to person as there are so many factors that can alter the postoperative course. Every patient brings unique problems that can be solved in a variety of ways by different surgeons and different surgical approaches. Typically, your surgeon is only capable of giving you an average time period as to how your recovery process will unfold. Usually, sutures are removed between five and seven days after this type of procedure and usually you can expect to have a fine visible red healing incisional scar for many months that can be concealed with most makeup, one to two days after the sutures are removed.

Alar reduction healing time is usually quite short. As you noted, your surgeon will remove sutures in only 5 days. When done well the scar is virtually imperceptible even at only one week, and there is usually no bruising. At 8 days post-op you should look fine and might not even need makeup.

It can take 7 to 14 days depending upon your individual healing. The stitch removal time depends upon the preference of your surgeon. As far as being noticeable, that location tends to not draw much attention and you may be able to hide it after 8 days again depending upon the amount of work you are having done.

Scarring in this area is quite variable depending on your skin type, coloring, etc. some patients will get increased pigmentation to the scars that may last months. Makeup can hide this, of course. I usually recommend my patient's avoid placing makeup on the incision line until a couple days after the sutures are removed. I would follow your surgeon's recommendations on this though.

Scars from this procedure are variable depending on your skin type and the extent of the incisions used.  In most cases the scars are not very noticeable and you can return to work at 8 days without being too concerned.   Applying makeup 8 days after surgery is probably safe.

Recovery time for cosmetic surgery is often limited by the patient's need to return to work soon.  After the stitches come out in 5 days, I usually have patients use ointment for 1 more day to optimize repithelialization of the suture openings.  Then I would recommend Oxygenix makeup, which is the only makeup designed to allow the skin to breathe and contains nutrients to enhance healing. You can start using it 7 days after surgery (and even sooner after laser).

You are correct in that sutures come out in five to seven days. If the alar base reduction is well done, the scar should already be fairly well concealed within the ala crease. We have little trouble with these scars.
Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

As I do alar base reduction, the incisions are very inconspicuous.  The sutures would be in for 6 or 7 days and I also allow makeup 24 hours after suture removal.  There is typically no bruising from the procedure and swelling is not much of a concern.  After suture removal, there is generally a pink line that is for the most part hidden from view even without makeup.  The pink line gradually fades over weeks to months depending on the person. 

The incisions used for alar base reduction heal quickly.  If the sutures are removed at 5 days, then by day 8 you should be able to use make-up and return to work.  Use caution when showering or toweling off.  Review your concerns with your surgeon.

Best Wishes

Dr. Peterson

These scars are well placed  in the alar base crease which provides natural camouflage.  There may be some initial redness which settles down over 10 days to two weeks.  It is usually possible to wear light make up after suture removal to cover the redness.