What can I do to make my lip lift scar less noticeable? (Photo)

Question

I had my lip lift in March 2021 and my scar is noticeable especially in the sunlight. What can I do to make it drastically less noticeable than it is now? It is more noticeable on the left side which is a bit indented and also has track marks. I heard co2 makes it worse for some.

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

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

First, the indented portion of the scar can be elevated and smoothed with subcision.  Once the entire scar is smoothed, professionally performed, Dermastamp microneedling (no need for expensive, "bells and whistes" RF microneedling) accompanied by the application of prescription pigment promoters, such as topical tyrosine and lanatoprost, may be used to improve the texture and stitch tracks and to better blend the color with the surrounding normal tissue. Make sure to consult with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist with extensive scar treatment experience and not just any venue hawking the latest supposedly "next big thing" laser it just purchased. Optimal improvement typically requires a series of treatment sessions. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This scar may need to be surgically removed for the best outcome, but fillers and lasers like ablative CO2 can help. Fillers may be able to camouflage in the short-term. I would suggest seeing an expert for a formal consultation. Best, Dr. Emer.​

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What can I do to make my lip lift scar less noticeable? (Photo)

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