Why do some patients have scars that fade while others last longer?

Hi,

Scar healing is a highly individualized process influenced by several factors. Genetics play a significant role; some people naturally produce more collagen, leading to thicker or more pronounced scars.

Skin type and color can also affect scarring—darker skin tones are usually more prone to hyperpigmentation or keloid formation.

It is also known that if the tension of the skin closure is high this may lead to worse wound healing and hence wider and more visible scars.
Also any problem during the wound healing may lead to more visible scars. Other factors include age, ethnic background, nutritional status, and overall health. Lifestyle choices like smoking or sun exposure can impair healing and affect scar appearance as well.

Additionally, meticulous surgical technique and proper post-operative care are crucial. Following wound-care instructions can promote better healing and lead to scars that fade more effectively over time.

My comments and recommendations are solely based on your text and are subject to change. I always recommend a face-to-face consultation with a specialist to plan the treatment.

Best wishes, Dr. Surmeli.

Thank you for your query. You have several concerns that I will try to address.
Scars and their fading with time depends on the technique of surgery, post operative care as well as skin factors including the type and genetics. The effect and longevity of facelift surgery depends on the layer that the facelift has been performed rather than the length of the scars. Shorter incision facelifts can work just as well as longer incisions., and last just as long. Lasers can certainly improve the scars but not remove them. The scarring is usually better when you have a more experienced surgeon working on a favourable skin type and when all postoperative precautions are taken.

When doing a face lift, it is important to hide the scars behind the ear or in the hairline or at the ear-face junction. This conceals the scars. Everyone responds to scars differently and there is no guarantee on scarring.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.