11 months post op - What can be done to minimize redness behind my ears? (photos)

Question

I am 11 months postop. 53 years old. Overall happy with my facelift minus what’s going on behind my ears. I thought it would go away, but I’m thinking now I’m stuck with it. What can I do to reduce the redness?

Pasha Mostofi, MD, DMD · Answer

Hello there. Surgical incisions/scars generally take up to a year to mature - which means your just a month shy from that. It's not uncommon for some patients to pursue some laser resurfacing along those areas to help with either redness or scarring. Different lasers accomplish different things, so it would be a good idea to consult with your surgeon or someone well-versed with lasers to see what your options are. Other conservative therapies including microneedling with radiofrequency with or without PRF or just plain microneedling with a skin pen with PRF. (PRF is just a better, newer version of PRP.) Hope this helps!

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

The photos show redness concentrated around the behind-the-ear scar area, but it is hard to tell from photos alone whether this is flat vascular redness, a thickened scar, irritation, or a combination. At 11 months, scars can still continue to fade, but persistent redness deserves an in-person check with your facelift surgeon or a dermatologist experienced with surgical scars.

Treatment depends on the scar quality. If the scar is flat but red, vascular laser or IPL can often help reduce redness once your surgeon confirms the skin is healed. If it is raised, itchy, firm, or thickened, options may include silicone gel or sheets, steroid or 5-FU injections, or other scar treatments. If the scar is widened or pulled by tension, scar revision may be considered after full maturation. Increasing pain, warmth, drainage, crusting, or worsening redness should be checked promptly to rule out irritation or infection.

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

Redness is best treated by PDL lasers. These lasers specifically target the hemoglobin red pigment to decrease redness. Creams and silicone sheeting will assist in scar quality (texture, thickness, etc), however only lasers will typically affect redness. Apply sunscreen every day to prevent redness from getting worse.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. Thank you for posting your photos and questions. There are a number of options. These look like hypertrophic scars which can be uncomfortable in addition to the red, raised, and thickened appearance. Laser/phototherapy treatment can help with the redness, but in addition you should be applying silicone gel, and you may also consider steroid injections to the thicker/firmer parts of the scars. Good luck!

Best,
Dr. Tower

Best,
Dr. Tower

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

Looks like you have some scarring, especially on the left side. If that area is raised and firm, I'd recommend a steroid injection. It's not unusual for scars to be pink for up to a year. Hopefully the color will improve in the near future. If not, lasers can definitely help. We usually use broad band light to help reduce the pink if it's still present after a year.

Andrew Campbell, M.D.
Facial Rejuvenation Specialist
Quintessa

Andrew Campbell, M.D.
Facial Rejuvenation Specialist
Quintessa

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Did you have difficulty healing these areas after surgery? This area can be prone to scar hypertrophy and possible scar hyperpigmentation.
The outcome is dependent on how the procedure is done and how each individual person heals.
If there is clear evidence of scar hypertrophy. Then sometimes silicone sheeting, son, avoidance, and potentially very dilute. Steroid injections may be helpful.
I suggest you follow up with your provider or schedule an in person second opinion consultation with other plastic surgeons in your community.
Understanding how you healed after the procedure and what this look like a few weeks after surgery could potentially be helpful and understanding why your scars are so visible.
Did you have any skin loss or skin necrosis after surgery?
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

11 months post op - What can be done to minimize redness behind my ears? (photos)

Answers (6)

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