Scars on and behind the ears 5 months after lower facelift - is there anything that can be done to make them less noticeable?

Question

I had a lower lift and upper and lower blephoplasty 5 months ago. I am happy with the results but I have noticed the scars on front of the ears and behind the ears seems to be much more noticeable than a few months ago as well as the scars are thick and raised. It there anything that can be done for this?

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

kenalog injections, silicone creams, massage can help if you are developing hypertrophic scars after your facelift.  Your scars are still maturing and changing, now is a good time to treat them.

Franklin D. Richards, MD · Answer

From your description it appears that you have hypertrophic scars around both ears. Though unusual, it can be nicely treated. Kenalog (triamcinolone) can be injected directly into the scar. It is extremely effective in softening and flattening hard and raised scars. It can cause thinning and depigmentation (white spots) of the skin near the injection site so it should be used with caution in darker pigmented individuals. Your surgeon should be able to provide these injetions for you.

Christopher Khorsandi, MD · Answer

without photographs it is difficult to give advice on scarring. Many things can happen in the postoperative period. The blepharoplasty incisions usually heal faster than other areas. At this point postoperatively you may be experiencing normal healing however you can also be experiencing hypertrophy of discard due to excessive tension or poor wound healing. Follow up your plastic surgeon or seek a second consultation with another specialist who is board-certified.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Scars can begin to worsen months after a facelift.  This is typically caused by a formation of either:1)  Hypertrophic Scars2)  Keloid Formation  This abnormal scarring is caused by over aggressive healing of the body.  These types of scars can be injected with medicine to help soften and prevent further growth of the scars.  They typical types of medicine that are used:A)  SteroidsB)  5-FluorouracilIf I begin to see a formation of abnormal scarring, I will be aggressive injecting the area with the above mentioned medications.  Pictures would help answer your questions in more detail.

Robert M. Freund, MD · Answer

It sounds as though you have hypertrophic scars. These are raised and thickened scars and are very rare in facelift procedures. However, they can be effectively treated with Kenalog injections to the site. Please return to your surgeon and ask for their opinion.Good luck!

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

It sounds like you need the advice of your PS. Scar management can involve massage, silicone treatment and possible laser therapy. There are two components - the colour and the texture. The scars will mature of there own accord and time will help - even 6-18 months later there can be improvements however it is worth discussing other therapies with your PS.

Steven M. Daines, MD, FACS · Answer

Fortunately facelift scars heal very well, becoming completely inconspicuous in most patients without any treatment other than time. In some cases when the healing process results in a less than ideal scar, steroid injections, lasers, or scar revision can be performed to improve the final outcome. Share your concerns with your surgeon so that he or she can assess and treat the scars if needed.

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

It takes a full year for a scar to mature. However, there are some treatments available to improve the scar in this period. Ask your surgeon to evaluate your scars now.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Discuss scar revision with your surgeon.  If the cortisone injections do not give the results you are looking for, scar revision may be needed.  Best wishes!

Scars on and behind the ears 5 months after lower facelift - is there anything that can be done to make them less noticeable?

Answers (9)

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