What kind of scar cream do you recommend after a Facelift?

Hello! Thank you for the question! While tattoo is an option, it typically is not necessary. It is common for scars to fully mature for up to a year. In the meantime, there are a few things that may help to ameliorate your incision/scar. The most proven (as well as cheapest) modality is simple scar massage. 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, albeit controversial, are silicone sheets, hydration, and topical steroids. In addition, avoidance of direct sunlight to the incision will significantly help the appearance as they tend to discolor with UV light during the healing process. If unsightly scars are still present after approximately a year's time, other things that your surgeon may consider are intralesional steroid injections, laser, or just surgical revision of the scar itself.Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

There are many options for scar creams - and all of them claim to be the "best".  In my office, I've settled in on using a high quality silicone gel with an SPF.  Silcone is the only substance I've come across with actual laboratory benchwork that documents improvement in scars.  Don't start applying it until your plastic surgeon says it's okay - typically about 3 weeks out.It's important that you understand I have no financial interesting this product, I just think it's the best one out there.Good Luck!

Cosmetic surgery procedures require a disciplined approach to scars, whether or not the incisions are placed on the face or body. In our Los Angeles plastic surgery clinic, we recommend that patients follow basic wound healing guidelines followed by the application of Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily once the skin is healed. If the incisions are prone to pigmentation, addition of Melarase PM is required. After a few weeks, the skin heals over and laser therapy is initiated to further improve scarring.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

I generally recommend kelocote for my patients. There are certainly others.Moisture is the important part.Laser at a later point can be helpful as well.

The best way for a good result with a scar after a facelift is to leave it alone. Avoid rubbing it, keep it out of the sunlight, and keep it lubricated.

The best
scar cream is the one that actually has
a moisturizer agent. I prefer a scar cream that is applied twice a day. I would
use a cream that has Vitamin A, C,
E and also Aloe Vera for soothing. This is for normal scar wound
healing.

Best Scar Management is important to minimize or completely hide from view, the telltale signs of your surgery—namely, scars. Both you and your surgeon want you to have the most minimal scarring possible. There are many possible causes for scars that are enlarged or not healing well. Unsightly scars are most commonly due to genetics, underlying medical conditions, or improper scar/wound care. The last part is very important and patients can make a noticeable difference in their scars’ appearance by following best scar management practices. I recommend a silicone based topical scar cream. We use BioCorneum in my office. You can contact us if you wish to purchase it and have a hard time finding it where you live.

Facelift scars tend to heal beautifully on their own, without a need for any scar treatments.  If however you feel you would like to do anything about your scars, silicone based scar treatments are though to be most effective.  At our clinic we offer Kelocote creams.

Can so-called 'scar creams' actually improve or reduce scars?   There are several companies and brands that purport to reduce the visibility of scars. A new incision or wound needs moisture from an ointment or even petrolatum (Vaseline)  to help the new cells in quickly helping the skin heal.   Also the avoidance of irritating topicals is important.      Once healing is further along (several weeks) then other topical creams can sometimes be helpful, Examples might be hydrocortisone, or aloe-based or silicone- based ointments. There are many others and your specialist M.D. may be able to help advise. But don't forget that the most important factor in good healing  is simply time: healing takes about a year for full effect. 

In my experience, scars heal quite nicely after facelift surgery.  If your surgeon's office has a medical Aesthetician, I would suggests asking him/her what, if any, scar cream they would recommend.