5 weeks post surgery, should I be worried about the way my facelift scars are healing? (Photo)

It is very common to have periauricular (aka around the ears) small lumps and bumps a month or so after a facelift.  As a general rule, most of these settle down over the first few months.  At times you can have little "skin tags" that are produced (especially behind the earlobe and back ear crease).  These can be snipped off by your surgeon at any time (no stitch required).  As far as the redness of the incisions, sometimes it is just best to leave them be and not treat them topically with anything for a while (so long as they aren't getting hard in texture).  In the short-term, I would suggest effective makeup for behind the ears and complete avoidance of sun (UV) exposure.

After a facelift, incisions can be red and raised and there is the possibility of these areas, left untreated, could translate into raised or red scars. The therapy of the steroid cream prescribed is one good option. Here are some others:1. The use of silicone gel, sheets or other variations are very helpful 2 weeks after surgery. The product we use is made by a pharmacy called prescribers choice, and it contains .5% hydrocortisone, .025% tretinoin, and 6% kojic acid, which can be very effective with reddened scars.2. After 6 weeks, if there is evidence of the scar remaining raised, we will consider triamcinolone (kenelog) injections, which we use from 20-40 mg. Some surgeons will use 5-FU as an injection for this type of scarring.3. Finally, we will laser scars as early as 6 weeks to gain improved collagen in growth and force scar turnover. Here, we will use pulse-dye, thullium, and sometimes fractional Co2 frequencies to improve the scar disposition. We also have used platelet rich plasma or amniotic biologics injected into the scar with the laser to get the optimal result.The best advice is to continue on some regimen, and then pivot if it is not working.  

It is takes about a year  for scars to fully mature. In the meantime, there are a few things that may help to reduce your scar. The most proven modality is simple scar massage with topical steriods. Applying pressure and massaging the well-healed scar has been shown to improve the appearance as it breaks up the scar tissue, hopefully producing the finest scar as possible. Other things that have been shown to add some benefit are silicone sheets. If unsightly scars are still present after approximately after two months, other things that your surgeon may consider are intralesional steroid injections, laser, or just surgical revision of the scar itself.

The recovery process after a facelift is always an anxious time for patients so you are not alone! Don't worry, most recoveries take several months for swelling and incisions to fully heal and subside. Your doctor was right to recommend lotion such as Avene Cicalfate but he should continue to meet with you to ensure that you are healing correctly.

Thank you for your question.  Your scar is thicken but your early in the recovery of a face lift.  Continue close follow up and advise of ypur surgeon.  Your scar will change over time.  Unfavoravable scars can be revised after a year.  Best Wishes.

If the scar is red and flat, this should resolve over time. It is important to avoid the sun and apply sunscreen. You may also benefit from using a scar gel containing silicone. There are several products that combine a sunscreen with the silicone. There are lasers to reduce the redness, but time will also help as those scars mature. Steroids are good with hypertrophic scars and I recommend you address that question with your surgeon. It is difficult to determine from your photos whether you need a steroid injection without an in office exam. Good luck to you. 

Thanks for sharing. Incisions should continue to improve with time.  The cortisone cream will help decrease the inflammation.  Silicone scar gel in addition would help and can be applied for the next three months.  Silicone is scientifically proven to help with hypertrophic scars.  Continue to follow up with your surgeon.  The incisions should continue to improve and will likely end up better than you think.  There are additional options if needed.

Between 4 to 8 weeks most of the scars get normal inflammation from the healing process, is when there is more collagen production on the incisions and there is more blood going trough the skin to heal it. In your case seems to be a little more than the average amount of redness. The inflammation can be reduced avoiding direct sunlight, heat.A gentle massage or pressure over the scars will help making the scar softer and less raised, it is important to use a sunscreen over the incisions, that also helps decreasing the redness on them. The use of silicone sheet or gel can also work, but ask your surgeon if he recommends that for your case. Being patient it is important, and most of the scars fade in color in 9 to 12 months after the surgery.

These scars will settle with time. To expect scars to settle after two weeks of any treatment is too soon. I would not consider laser or injections at this point. It's too soon. The only things I'd consider at this point are silicone sheets or gels for scarring and this will result in a gradual resolution over weeks, and not days. Please be patient about the process because it will take time and be sure to obtain regular follow up. How your body heals after surgery can be unpredictable.

Incisions of any kind in the 5-6 week post-op period can appear thickened and raised.  That does not necessarily mean there is a problem but should be examined and followed by your surgeon.  There are a number of remedies that can be used to treat thickened scars so don't despair.  It will require close monitoring by your surgeon.