I had a mini arm lift 13 weeks ago and have some very red raised keloid type scaring, how can I minimize the scarring? (Photos)

Hi SmoothSailing1330,  Thank you for your question about your arm lift scar.  I would suggest Biocorneum and silicone gel sheeting. Both products are for sale on Amazon.com.  Apply a drop of Biocorneum the size of a pea directly to the scar.  A pea sized amount should be able to cover four inches of scar.  Massage and spread the Biocornuem over the scar.  Allow it to dry for several minutes.  Please apply the Biocorneum twice a day.  After you have applied the Biocorneum, then place the silicone gel sheeting directly on top.   I would suggest you use these products daily for six months.  Scars take up to two years to mature.  Therefore, if you wish, you can use the products for up to two years. However, after two years, these products will not have much effect. If you have any more questions, regarding arm lift scars, please contact my office.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

This is not unusual and these scars will settle with scar management. I would see your PS re massage / silicone treatments. This will improve.

Hi, SmoothSailing.  Based on your photographs, it appears that you are developing some hypertrophic scarring, not necessarily a keloid.  (Hypertrophic scars and keloids may be on the same continuum, but keloid scars are by far more problematic:  Hypertrophic scars are thickened, raised, red scars that stay within the confines of the original injury/incision and generally stabilize and even improve over time; A keloid extends beyond the confines of the original injury/incision and may worsen at any time.)Silicone sheeting, or alternatively silicone gel/liquid silicone, is helpful in most cases.  However, once the thickening develops and persists, steroid injections in addition to the topical treatment are often needed.  In addition to steroid therapy and silicone, massage, compression, and gentle stretch exercises may provide some additional benefit.If you do not already have a follow-up appointment scheduled with your surgeon, I would recommend that you make one -- earlier treatment generally will have a higher success rate and a more rapid resolution.  Best of luck!  Dr. Ghafoori

It is not uncommon to see scars like that at 13 weeks after an arm lift. I tell my patients that it can take 12 months or more for a scar to mature and fade. What you can do in the meantime to help is to continue doing your daily massages and use a silicone gel that will apply pressure to the scar.

So these types of scars are pretty common after arm lift. Bad scars are caused by two main factors, your physiology and tension. Under the arms, when we raise them, we generate a lot of tension and this causes the scar to thicken, especially in the early phase which is where you are now. As the scars soften, the tension will decrease when you lift your arm hence allowing the scars to soften further. Simply speaking therefore, time is the best remedy. Wait at least 6 months before assessing your scar. Any massage and any oil will speed up the softening but only be fractions IMO. Hope that helpsAdam Goodwin