I had a face lift in BELLEVUE Wa about 18 months ago. Bad experience wish I didn't do it. One side of my face had severe scaring which after going to another surgeon I found out was necrosis. On that same side I also have these stark white lines and small white marks. What could have caused this? They are not where I was cut. They appeared after about a month. I have to have a scar revision done but was told I have to wait a few years.
June 30, 2016
Answer: Facelift lines and spots Thanks for your post. If you would be willing to post your photos, I may be able to better comment on the nature of your concerns. In general, if there is vascular compromise to the skin flaps in the healing process following surgery, there can be discolorations that appear in the skin. Typically these are transient in nature, but may require conservative therapies to improve. However, If damage to the pigment producing cells occurred and these white spots represent areas of scarring or hypopigmentation, then the damage may be permanent and require surgical revision vs. camouflage techniques. I'm sorry you had a negative experience with your surgery but there may be ways to optimize your face over time. Be sure to work with an experienced facelift surgeon as you attempt to resolve these problems.
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June 30, 2016
Answer: Facelift lines and spots Thanks for your post. If you would be willing to post your photos, I may be able to better comment on the nature of your concerns. In general, if there is vascular compromise to the skin flaps in the healing process following surgery, there can be discolorations that appear in the skin. Typically these are transient in nature, but may require conservative therapies to improve. However, If damage to the pigment producing cells occurred and these white spots represent areas of scarring or hypopigmentation, then the damage may be permanent and require surgical revision vs. camouflage techniques. I'm sorry you had a negative experience with your surgery but there may be ways to optimize your face over time. Be sure to work with an experienced facelift surgeon as you attempt to resolve these problems.
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June 30, 2016
Answer: Post facelift scarring I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Without any pictures, it is hard to assess what may have happened. But based on what you are describing, area of previous necrosis on the same side leading to scarring, the stark white lines are most likely extensions of the scarring from the poor blood supply that led to the necrosis. They occur because the dermal blood supply stops, and once this happens the cells that bring color to your skin stop working. This does not have to happen where there is an incision - just where there is a lack of blood supply (and there are a number of reasons why this can happen). There are different ways to try and get the pigment back to the skin, but unfortunately none of them are 100% effective. It's best to see a PS in your area for consultation and figure out what can and cant be done. Best of luck.
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June 30, 2016
Answer: Post facelift scarring I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Without any pictures, it is hard to assess what may have happened. But based on what you are describing, area of previous necrosis on the same side leading to scarring, the stark white lines are most likely extensions of the scarring from the poor blood supply that led to the necrosis. They occur because the dermal blood supply stops, and once this happens the cells that bring color to your skin stop working. This does not have to happen where there is an incision - just where there is a lack of blood supply (and there are a number of reasons why this can happen). There are different ways to try and get the pigment back to the skin, but unfortunately none of them are 100% effective. It's best to see a PS in your area for consultation and figure out what can and cant be done. Best of luck.
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