What are the effects of a Phenol peel on a facelift scar?

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

There are many of us who believe that the croton oil and not the phenol which is the active ingredient so that these peels should actually be referred to as croton oil peels.  That said, depending on your skin tone, the peel, if done properly, may not lighten your facial skin.  I have used these peels to flatten facelift scars with excellent results on patients who might otherwise require a surgical revision.  Good luck!

My special technique of Phenol Chemabrasion, entails applying the chemical peel on day one, taping the face, returning the next day, and me then removing the oozing on the skin surface. This section lets me abrade off the white scar tissue from a face lift. Most but not all the scar is removed. Most patients are very happy with their improved scars. 

Dear extraoneoneone,Why would you be getting a peel if you've had a facelift? Because a facelift does nothing to improve the quality of the skin! More specifically, a facelift does absolutely nothing to improve the wrinkles around the mouth. Sometimes, the general improvements of the facelift bring the pronounced wrinkles around the mouth into greater prominence ruining the result. A facelift improves the structure of the face and the peel improves the quality of the skin and dramatically improves the wrinkles. Sun damage and blotches are improved and the skin demonstrates an intangible, youthful luminosity that no surgery can achieve.
I have been peeling for 20 years, and I have come to learn that many patients are more concerned with the quality of the skin rather than the sagging and may appreciate the result of a peel more than a facelift. I have been teaching peeling to plastic surgeons since 2003 and I am often asked that if a patient needs both a facelift and a peel, which to do first? I reply with a coy smile to do the facelift first because if you peel first, they may be so happy they will skip the facelift!
And now back to your question: The peel will not harm the scar and it may well improve it. If properly performed, the color of your skin will not lighten.
Good luck!