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Which is the Best Way to Remove Facial Surgery Scars Obtained Recently?

  • qq
  • Msia
  • 7 years ago

Any further plastic surgery required? Thanks.

Doctor Answers 4

Scars improve on their own every day.

October 26th, 2010
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Depending on how "recently obtained" your facial surgery scars are, they may actually heal very well by themselves and even fade to nearly invisible. The best scars do this. The ability to do this is 50% the skill and technique of the surgeon, and 50% your own body's wound healing biology. My patients are always amazed to hear that scars don't reach their "final" look for about a year, and their "final final" look by 2 years. The truth is.... scars continue to improve every single day, even after that.

If your scars are really a problem, see a careful and talented plastic surgeon or dermatologic surgeon for evaluation, but don't rush to do anything right away. Waiting as long as possible always leaves the least amount to do, with the best possible outcome. Scar revision surgery, laser, massage, and other techniques can be brought to the table to help.

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH


New York Dermatologic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 41 reviews

Scar maturation first...then re-assess

October 8th, 2010
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Hello,

If the wound is closed, you will probably be best served by waiting until the scar tissue matures. See a local plastic surgeon who can examine you to determine your best course of action.

 

Best Regards,

 

John Di Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 25 reviews

Facial scars, timing and what or how to improve them.

July 20th, 2009
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Scars are the result of injury and healing. All scars go through a predictable process of healing with unpredictable results.

Typically wounds are inflammed for 3-4 days, followed by a phase of proliferation lasting 6 weeks during which they enlarge as well as become thicker, wider and more red.

After 6 weeks and up to 2 years scars undergo a process called maturation at which point they become thinner and last red.

Generally we allow 3 months (12 weeks to elapse) prior to beginning to consider scar revision. During this time non-surgical interventions such as taping, massage, silicone gel sheeting, sun protection, etc are utilized.

There are a small group of physicians who believe that more agressive interventions sooner than this may help scars. This includes the use of lasers, IPL, dermabrasion, etc. However, this remains primarily anecdotal and largely unproven.

Although the use of Vitamin E, cocoa butter, Mederma, aloe vera are polular touted, the benefits remain essentially unproven as well.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 72 reviews

Facial surgery scars

July 18th, 2009
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Scars are permanent. However, you can sometime s reduce the appearance of the scars especially if they are not healing well. This can be done with scar revision, silicone sheeting, paper tape, massage, to name a few.

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.