Lip lift - revision needed? (Photo)

Question

I had bullhorn on 1 November . Philthrum 17 mm. Removed 4mm. On 3 November discovered I have infection and pus. This slowed down my healing very badly . 9 November removed stitches but the wounds did not heal fully hence re- stitched again for it to heal properly . Due to remove stitches on 16 November . From the attached photos , do you think the healing will be good ? Is co2 better for scarring or silicon tape ? If I want to redo due to a bad scar (if any) , when is the earliest ?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I recommend you wait 6 months from the original surgery before doing any revision. There is a technique that can be done where there is a pull out stitch rather than an interrupted stitch across the nose.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out and for providing detailed information about your healing journey after your recent bullhorn lip lift. I’m sorry to hear that you experienced an infection early in your recovery, which understandably can delay healing and impact scar appearance.

From your description, it sounds like you're on the right track now that the wound has been re-sutured and is being monitored. The quality of healing and the final appearance of the scar can vary depending on several factors including how well the infection was controlled, your skin type, and post-operative care.

In terms of scar treatment:

Silicone tape or silicone gel is generally considered the gold standard in scar management. It’s non-invasive, easy to use, and can significantly improve the appearance of scars over time if used consistently.

CO2 laser treatment can also be highly effective for improving scar texture and pigmentation but is usually reserved for after the scar has fully matured — typically 3 to 6 months post-op, depending on your healing process. It’s often used if conservative measures like silicone therapy are not sufficient.

Regarding revision surgery, if necessary, we usually wait at least 6 months, and ideally closer to 9 to 12 months, to allow for full healing and scar maturation before considering surgical correction. This ensures the tissue has stabilized and allows for the best possible outcome.

I recommend continuing with gentle care, keeping the area clean, and starting silicone therapy once the wound has completely closed. Regular follow-ups with your surgeon are key, and if you need another opinion on scar management or potential revision down the road, I’d be happy to help.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and I'm sorry to hear about your healing difficulty.   But fortunately, from the way it looks in your photo, I think you'll still have an excellent result.   I always recommend Bacitracin/Zinc antibiotic ointment until the scabbing is gone then switching over to Silicone oil 2x per day.  Silicone tape doesn't work with this scar location.   Good luck

Lip lift - revision needed? (Photo)

Answers (3)