6 weeks post facelift. What to use on my scars to help them heal?

Facelift scars, if placed correctly, should be barely visible 4-6 months after surgery. That said, all scars often look pink for 3-4 months after surgery because they are still healing. The most important treatment for ANY pink scar is sunscreen-because the pink skin is exquisitely sensitive to the sun. If you sunburn a healing scar, it will not heal well.Since you are just 6 weeks postop, this is the time to protect your scars from sun exposure. To aid in healing, we have had success with snail serum. We also recommend Biocorneum, which is silicone based and has a sunscreen. Gentle massaging the product you decide to use into the scars will also help with healing. Occasionally scars may need steroid injections if they are becoming hypertrophic. Your surgeon can make those recommendations, as needed.

Thank you for your question.  Please consult with your surgeon to see whether they advise a protocol.  We advise using Kelo Cote Scar Gel.  You maybe advised to also massage the scars to help soften and flatten.  All The Best 

You are correct, the best is to use something silicone based and to avoid excessive sun exposure and the use of sunscreen (i have my own scar gel that my patients use purehealplus.com- and  suggest my patients to use anything silicone based). The scar maturation process will take months, so its best to follow up regularly with your doctor to evaluate any scar concerns you may have. If you do develop any thickening or worsening recess of the scar- laser scar revision or steroid injections can be placed to improve the appearance as well. 

At six weeks postop facelift, your incision lines should be closed or epithelialized. Treatment with silicone gel helps keep wounds smooth or flat. Sun block is also important. Almost any over the counter silastic gel with sun block will work.

Dear lr468,
Thank you for your question. I recommend that you seek a repeat in-office evaluation by your surgeon who can perform an exam and then determine what treatment options may best help your wound healing. There are a variety of treatment options available ranging from medical treatments such as topical creams and silicone sheeting to procedures such as PRP injections and microdermabrasion that can improve the appearance of scars. 

Thank you for your question. I typically recommend Biocorneum to my patients. You should definitely ask your plastic surgeon what he or she prefers. Good luck!

Thank you for your question.  At this point, I would discuss with your surgeon what he/she usually uses to help with incision healing.  There are several options, and no one way is necessarily better than the other.  At this point, time will help the most with healing as your swelling resolves.  It can take anywhere from 4-6 months for this to fully dissipate.I hope that this helps!-David Gilpin 

If you are concerned about your scars, you should make an appointment with your surgeon to be examined.  An examination is important, because your surgeon must differentiate between normal post-surgical redness and swelling from keloid scar formation. Keloid scar formation is not common, nor is it rare either. If you are starting to form keloids your surgeon will most likely start treatments for keloids. You most likely do not have keloids, but you should be checked anyway.
Everyone heals differently. In some patients, the redness and swelling of incisions go away very quickly. In some patients, the redness and swelling can hang around for months and this can be perfectly normal. There are no magic treatments to make the redness go away any quicker. I do not recommend any scar treatments for my patients, because there are no controlled studies that say any of these scar treatments actually work.  So don't waste your money. The most important thing is that you protect the incision sites from the sun. You should use a medical grade sunscreen with Zinc Oxide as an ingredient. The concentration of the Zinc Oxide in the sunscreen should be greater than 9% and you should wear the sunscreen everyday. Medical grade sunscreens use micronized zinc oxide that makes the sunscreen clear and they use formulas that are less likely to cause pimples. If any of your incisions are still not completely healed, you should not put anything on these areas and you should definitely see your surgeon for evaluation.
As for raised (swollen) scars. I will have patients gently kneed the scars (do not rub them) after 4 weeks. I do not like to have patients "massage" scars before 4 weeks, for fear of widening the scars. 
The thing to remember is that everyone heals differently. In your case, it may just take longer for the redness and swelling to go down.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Paul Stanislaw, Jr, MD

A silicone gel would benefit you greatly as it will smoothen and flatten your healing scar. A sunblock would also be highly recommended for your skin to avoid the damaging effects of UV rays. Consult with your surgeon directly for any post op concerns as he has his own protocols regarding post op management.

Hi lr468,
Good question!
The first rule is to ask your surgeon before taking advice from here...
However... I tell my patients to use something silicone based on their scars. On the face, silicone sheets often don't stay put, and therefore I recommend silicone based gels.
Sun screen is also very important. Better to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Best to do both!
I think the easiest thing is to get a silicone gel that includes a sunscreen, and apply this twice a day.
I hope this helps, and good luck!