DRY or apply VASELINE to scabs on tragus after Facelift?

Hello, opinions will continue to vary... basic recommendation is to default to your PS recommendations. I typically keep a small amount of ointment neosporin, bacitracin, on any evolving area's. It depends on the look, area, and my expectations of the wound. Good Luck.

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.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

It is best to apply a wound gel like Aquaphor or an antibiotic ointment.  This will allow the wound to heal faster and avoid a superficial infection.  Best wishes, Dr. T. 

Dear MadelaineThank you for your question!  It is best to follow your surgeons advice.  A delay of healing at the tragus is not a problem and generally looks very good in the long term.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

The answer really depends on the nature of the scabs.  Some patients develop seborrheic changes in areas of the facelift flap that can be addressed with a moisturizer. If what you are describing as a scab represents necrotic skin or eschar, other forms of therapy would be more appropriate. If this is eschar, the main factor is patience to allow the would to heal and sun avoidance to minimize pigmentary changes. 

I prefer the wet approach.  So I would recommend some vaseline.  When they are moist they will cause less contraction of the underlying tissue which can cause a scar.  It also keeps them more pliable and usually less itchy.  

Hello,I usually advise patients to clean the area with peroxide three to four times a day followed by some sort of antibiotic ointment or Vaseline .These crusts will go away soon.Good luck.

It is usually best to follow the advice your plastic surgeon has given you. At 3 weeks post-surgery and assuming you have healed properly and all incisions have nicely closed I would leave it alone. If you have extremely dry skin you can apply a small amount of Aquaphor  to the areas. This can be bought over the counter at most drugstores.

Congratulations on your procedure and thanks for sharing your question. I can appreciate your concern.



My preference is to use a thin layer of aquaphor or medihoney to favor the epithialization (skin bridging). Finally, make sure that your doctor is aware of your process. He should be able to guide you best in your care.



Wishing you the best in your journey

For most situations scabs will separate off and heal quicker if they are kept moist with products such as antibiotic ointment, vaseline or aquaphor. I also recommend you visit your PS or the nurse, they may be able to "tease" this scab off at this point now that 3 weeks have passed since the date of surgery.