Is there any way to minimize the appearance of arm lift scars?

Dear Bridget,

Thanks for your question, and I understand your concerns about the appearance of scars after an arm lift, also known as brachioplasty. The length of the scar following an arm lift largely depends on the extent of skin laxity and where the loose skin is located. In cases where there is significant loose skin that extends from the armpit to the elbow, a longer incision (and hence a longer scar) may be necessary to achieve the best aesthetic result.

However, there are several strategies that can help to minimize the appearance of scars:

Scar Placement: I aim to position the scar in the least visible area possible, usually along the inner aspect of the arm. This way, it's less noticeable when your arms are at your sides.

Scar Care Post-Surgery: Good wound care post-surgery is crucial to ensure scars heal well. Keeping the wound clean, avoiding sun exposure, and refraining from smoking can all contribute to better healing.

Topical Treatments: Silicone-based creams or gels, or silicone sheets can be used once the wound has fully healed. These products help to keep the scar hydrated, which can make it less visible over time.

Laser Treatments: Certain laser treatments can help to reduce the redness and thickness of scars, helping them blend better with the surrounding skin.

Steroid Injections: For hypertrophic or keloid scars that become raised and thick, steroid injections can sometimes be helpful in reducing their appearance.

Remember, scars from a brachioplasty will typically fade and become less noticeable over time. It's also essential to have a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon about your concerns so that they can give you an accurate understanding of what to expect and how to manage the healing process for the best possible outcome.

I hope this information helps! If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Hi there. The length of the incision depends on the type of brachioplasty procedure you and your surgeon plan for. Discuss with your surgeon postoperative scar treatments available and which ones would be best for your skin type. Most patients are advised to avoid UV exposure for the first year and apply a silicone based scar cream to the incision. Good luck to you!

Yes, the arm tuck or any other tuck will require long scars to remove excess skin. If you do not too much excess skin, consider minimally invasive radiofrequency skin tightening like Renuvion, with or without liposuction. After surgery, if you choose to do the lift, you can do micro-needling to help improve the scar along with scar products.

Scars are a common concern of those considering an arm lift. Depending on the amount of skin laxity you have you may be eligible for other options to improve the contour of the arms. One is BodyTite. This minimally invasive procedure melts fat and tightens skin using RF technology. It can be combined with liposuction for sculpting and requires no general anesthesia. I've included a video on it that I hope you find helpful.

To minimize the appearance of arm lift scars, consider keeping the area moisturized with scar creams or ointments, avoiding sun exposure to prevent discoloration, and massaging the scar tissue to promote healing. Consult with your plastic surgeon for recommendations based on your specific situation.

You must have an arm lift if you have excess hanging skin with stretch marks. But if you combine the arm lift with liposuction, the scar must not be as long. From the perspective of an observer, the arm lift scar is visible if placed too posterior (back) or too anterior (front). But if the scar is placed on the inside of the arm, it becomes less visible to a casual observer.

Body contouring procedures often require scars to improve contour and remove excess skin. A typical arm lift scar runs from the arm pit area to near the elbow. As a result, these scars are often visible in short sleeves. I prefer to complete a posterior incision for the arm lift so the scar is on the back of the arm and is not visible from the front. Although scars are permanent, there are multiple techniques for improving scar appearance, including massage, silicone creams, silicone tapes, steroid injections, and lasers.

Sadly, the scar associated with an arm lift is often the most difficult one in Plastic Surgery. Maneuvers, such as making sure that not too much tension is placed on the closure, massage, silicone gel sheeting, and sunscreen are all good ways to minimize these scars. However, often people continue to have issues with the scars despite our best efforts. This is one of the areas on our body. That can be very difficult. Don’t let that stop you from meeting your goals. We are happy to help in any way we can.