I’m 1 yr postop from botched necklift w/ bad hypertrophic scars placed too far in front of and below ears. Am doing revision in 3 more mos. My new PS said she can easily cut the scars out. But I am also seeing a thin white line which I was told is depigmented skin at the hairline behind my ears. The white is very unsightly. How can depigmented areas be treated? Can this be fully resolved? Also what is risk for hypertrophic scars and more depigmentation in revision surgery?
Answer: Scar laser treatments and injection therapy can help reduce appearance of the scars 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.
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Answer: Scar laser treatments and injection therapy can help reduce appearance of the scars 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.
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August 12, 2018
Answer: Revision of face lift scars I am sorry to hear about your disappointment with result. Unfortunately without in person evaluation or at least a series of good photos it is impossible to give you good advice.
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August 12, 2018
Answer: Revision of face lift scars I am sorry to hear about your disappointment with result. Unfortunately without in person evaluation or at least a series of good photos it is impossible to give you good advice.
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August 12, 2018
Answer: Scar hypertrophic hairline For what you describing the surgeon close your face and neck with a lot of tension. It is important to examine you to determine if you have enough skin to removed the scars with no tension and allow a better ignition line.
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August 12, 2018
Answer: Scar hypertrophic hairline For what you describing the surgeon close your face and neck with a lot of tension. It is important to examine you to determine if you have enough skin to removed the scars with no tension and allow a better ignition line.
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August 6, 2018
Answer: Depigmenting... Hi Downhillfast,Aside from cutting out the depigmented skin, consider make-up and tattoo. Aside from these modalities there is no way to re-pigment skin or scar tissue.You’re at risk for hypertrophic scars with an additional procedure, as you’ve already proven to have developed hypertrophic scars with your first procedure. Cutting out the hypertrophic scars will required adequate undermining of the surrounding skin for a tension-free closure— make sure your surgeon has enough skin to work with.Scar tissue does not have pigment, so realize that anytime you make an incision on the skin and it heals, that fine line will have no pigment.Best wishes,Dr. Jay
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August 6, 2018
Answer: Depigmenting... Hi Downhillfast,Aside from cutting out the depigmented skin, consider make-up and tattoo. Aside from these modalities there is no way to re-pigment skin or scar tissue.You’re at risk for hypertrophic scars with an additional procedure, as you’ve already proven to have developed hypertrophic scars with your first procedure. Cutting out the hypertrophic scars will required adequate undermining of the surrounding skin for a tension-free closure— make sure your surgeon has enough skin to work with.Scar tissue does not have pigment, so realize that anytime you make an incision on the skin and it heals, that fine line will have no pigment.Best wishes,Dr. Jay
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August 4, 2018
Answer: Hypertrophic scars You have no photos posted so I can’t really see what’s going on. Second, hypertrophic scars are not necessarily because of a botched surgery, but can just be a result of your healing and the way your body heals which cannot be predicted. Without pictures, the scars may have been pulled forward and enlarged out of position by the skin healing. That being said, there is a real risk of scar recurrence with another surgery. You will get a better result if you skin loosens more first and your best solution may be to get a repeat lift to excise the scars without tension on closure. A scar revision might work but I will leave that up to your doctor who can examine you. I have no solution for a thin depigmented scar line. Sometimes this might be the way your body heals. While you are waiting for your revision, make sure your surgeon has considered kenalog injections to improve scar appearance. Some doctors also use 5 FU injections. Best of luck with your treatment.
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August 4, 2018
Answer: Hypertrophic scars You have no photos posted so I can’t really see what’s going on. Second, hypertrophic scars are not necessarily because of a botched surgery, but can just be a result of your healing and the way your body heals which cannot be predicted. Without pictures, the scars may have been pulled forward and enlarged out of position by the skin healing. That being said, there is a real risk of scar recurrence with another surgery. You will get a better result if you skin loosens more first and your best solution may be to get a repeat lift to excise the scars without tension on closure. A scar revision might work but I will leave that up to your doctor who can examine you. I have no solution for a thin depigmented scar line. Sometimes this might be the way your body heals. While you are waiting for your revision, make sure your surgeon has considered kenalog injections to improve scar appearance. Some doctors also use 5 FU injections. Best of luck with your treatment.
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