Can facelift scars be corrected or improved? (Photo)

Question

I had a lower facelift 12 months ago. I'm super happy with the results but feel my scars have worsened over time instead of improved. What can be done to make them less noticeable? I was prepared to have scars but I wasn't expected raised scarring. Thoughts? My pics are at 5 weeks and at 12 months.

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

Marc Polacco, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. At a year out, laser resurfacing may be helpful for reducing scar tissue. The thick scar tissue near the ear lobes would likely best be revised surgically, but it could be done in the office under local anesthesia. I hope this helps, and I wish you all the best.
-Dr. P

Jigar Sitapara, MD · Answer

Hi pisces0318!It appears as if the scars along the ear lobes have widened and/or become enlarged due to hypertrophic scarring. This can happen if there is tension on the skin during the healing process (sometimes there can be a genetic/familial component to it as well). A simple, in-office scar revision should be able to help with the scar or you could try steroid injections to try to get it to flatten out (this likely won't make the scar more narrow, but can at least address the raised quality). I would see your surgeon and decide what is right for you. I hope that helps! Best of luck!Dr. SitaparaChevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hello Pisces.  If the areas you are concerned about are raised and hardened, then steroid injections would be an appropriate option.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Thanks for great posted photos. Was the surgeon a boarded PS? I see "railroad tracks" suture scars?? Revision of all incisions and correction pixie earlobe inferior scar: fee $5,000. Best to virtual consult with....

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