Which procedure would help minimize the appearance of 7 month old arm lift scars? (photo)

Question

HI, I am a 56 year old female with very fair skin. 7 months ago I had arm lift surgery which has left me with thick, raised scars which are very dark red in colour. I would appreciate any information or advice on which treatments would help to reduce the scarring as there seems to be various opinions on this.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello, 
Thank you for the question and the photos.
Unfortunately scars are permanent after surgery but they do fade over time. It does take a full year for the final wound healing to be completed.
Silicones scar sheets or silicone scar gel can help minimize scar appearance. Another way to improve the scars further is to perform laser scar treatment which can be easily done at the office under local anesthesia.
I hope this helps.
Best, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzFellowship TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Typically scar revision which involves excising old scars is not performed until the scars are at least a year old.  In the meantime you can consider laser treatments or potentially steroid injections to improve the appearance of the scars.  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Justine Park, MD · Answer

I would recommend Vbeam laser treatments, which can be very useful in minimizing scar appearance while scars are still young and in the "red" stage. Generally, at least 3 sessions spaced about a month apart are recommended. In addition, topical scar management in the form of silicone, topical steroids, or other creams may be used to hasten recovery and minimize scarring.

Manuel Diaz, MD · Answer

hello ! What a good result you have had! That scar has not yet finished its process, which is after 6 months. You can start using silicone-based creams that are excellent for good wound healing. After the year do aesthetic treatments. such as microneedling or peeling.

Which procedure would help minimize the appearance of 7 month old arm lift scars? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar management

Answer: Scar management

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Answer: Hello dear ! im dr. DIAZ.

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Which procedure would help minimize the appearance of 7 month old arm lift scars? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar management

Answer: Scar management

Answer: Hello dear ! im dr. DIAZ.

Answer: Hello dear ! im dr. DIAZ.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.