Facelift and upper blepharoplasty scars - how can they be reduced? (photos)

Hello and thank you for your question. After ANY surgery, the surgical incision goes through multiple stages of wound healing before arriving at the final "mature" scar. Assuming no infection or wound breakdown, during normal healing the incision approaches its final tensile strength 6-8 weeks after surgery, creating an "immature" scar. The immature scar is generally still raised and somewhat pigmented (pink or red), and can be associated with some discomfort or pulling, especially with movement or touch. It takes up to 1-2 YEARS for this immature scar to convert into a "mature" scar, during which time the scar remodels- the collagen becomes more organized, the scar flattens, and becomes less pigmented. It is typically safe to start massaging the scars at this point in the remodeling phase (after 6-8 weeks post-op), which can help break up and fibrosis/adhesions forming between the skin and underlying tissues. Also, it is very important to avoid UV light to the immature scar during the remodeling phase, as UV can cause permanent and irreversible hyperpigmentation (making it more noticeable)- so sunblock and sun avoidance are key until 1-2 years after surgery. If the final scar appearance is cosmetically concerning, this can always be revised electively- just note this will reset the healing process. You are still only 4 months post-op so I would recommend just be patient for now. I hope this helps!
Best,
Dr. Donald Groves
Plastic Surgeon

Hello. These scars seems normal after the operations. But If you are unhappy with the scars there are some steps that you can follow. First of all the scars will go on healing for at least 8 months more, which means they will bother you less by time. But if you want to do something my first suggestion would be a co2 laser treatment, may be followed by botox and steroid injection into the scars. Regards.

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