Does scar tissue ALWAYS soften up with the passage of time? My neck stills feels very stiff and tight at 7 months.

Scars can take, sometimes, a year, or even two years to fully mature and soften. So, I would advise trying your best to be patient, frequent massage, gentle heating, and more massage. In time, this should slowly resolve. Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Thank you for your question and for sharing your concerns.

It’s understandable to feel concerned about stiffness and tightness seven months after your neck and facelift surgery with corset platysmaplasty. While some people may feel that healing is mostly complete at three months, it is important to remember that the wound healing process can take significantly longer.

If you look online at the wound healing sequence, you will find that it typically takes 9 to 12 months for scar tissue to complete its cycle of changes. Softening of the scar is the later part of these changes, and as a rule, scars tend to become softer over time. However, the soft tissue under the chin may not return to the same level of softness as before surgery, or this change might occur only several years after the treatment.

There are modalities that can help speed up the process of scar softening. Physiotherapy treatments can be beneficial, and occasionally, steroid injections can also help in reducing stiffness and tightness. It is worth discussing these options with your surgeon to determine what might be most suitable for your situation and to help you go through the recovery process in a more comfortable manner.

I would never counsel a patient that they should heal within 3 months of surgery for any procedure. The body takes a full year for forming a scar and having it mature.  You are more than half way through this process.I agree wth your surgeon. I would evaluate the result of surgery at one year. In the meantime, massages as well as regular physical therapy can help alleviate the tightness you feel.Good luck!Dr. E

Thank you for your question. You had quite a bit of surgery especially in your neck where these procedures are designed for maximal neck tightening. & months is a long time to experience discomfort especially when you had planned on three but it is very possible you are still healing any many of the symptoms will resolve. I would speak with your surgeon to see if he or she has any techniques; therapy, steroids, massage etc which might help alleviate some of your symptoms during your healing phaseBest of LuckDrG

The healing process can vary from patient to patient.  Some patients are completely healed and their scars are soft in a year and others take two years to get their maximum result or even longer.Other things can make your neck tight or stiff so stay in touch with your surgeon as you progress, to be sure that you are on track.