5 weeks post surgery. I have a bump of skin on the back of my right lobe and bumps of skin in front of the left lobe. My surgeon has me massage Avene Cicalfate on my scars but prescribed Fluocinolone Acetonide Cream, USP 0.025% for the bumps on my left lobe. I have been using that twice a day for over two weeks with no improvement. I have read conflicting views on this site re laser/injections/silicone sheets/massage/ etc. How can I help scars look less obvious short and long term?
Answer: Post facelift lumps 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.
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Answer: Post facelift lumps 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.
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Answer: Red Scar after Facelift 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.
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Answer: Red Scar after Facelift 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.
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December 27, 2018
Answer: Scar after facelift 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.
Helpful
December 27, 2018
Answer: Scar after facelift 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.
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September 9, 2015
Answer: Be patient! 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.
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September 9, 2015
Answer: Be patient! 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.
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September 4, 2015
Answer: 5 weeks post surgery, should I be worried about the way my facelift scars are healing 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.
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September 4, 2015
Answer: 5 weeks post surgery, should I be worried about the way my facelift scars are healing 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.
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August 27, 2015
Answer: Scars after a facelift 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.
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August 27, 2015
Answer: Scars after a facelift 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.
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