Should I massage my facelift scars from day 22?

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

Hi Bridget1212, and thank you for this question.
All plastic surgeons have personal preferences when it comes to post-op
recovery instructions for their patients. Like many of the specialists who have
already answered your question, I don't have my patients massage the incision sites
following a facelift. I make incisions in natural creases where they are
well-hidden, so patients can barely see the resulting scars. For patients
concerned about scars, topical creams and laser treatments are options. It's
best to talk to your own surgeon for his or her advice. Best wishes.

Thank you for your question.  Scar massage does not have a lot evidence to support it helps or worsens scars.  I generally recommend that patient do a little gentle massage to place sunscreen and scar creams (such as silicone gel or Scar Recovery Gel) to the longer term appearance of the scar.  In theory, sun screen helps to diminish the chance of your incisions darkening in response to sunlight.  Scar creams help to keep the incisions hydrated which allows for better functioning cells that guide the healing process.  Massage may help provide some mechanical stimulation to help during the scar remodeling phase of healing.

Massaging a scars has become fashionable without any evidence for benefit. As a matter of fact vigorous massage would release histamine that could actually make scarring worse. In any event follow the instructions of your own surgeon.

I do not recommend massage of facelift incisions because I do not feel it provides any benefit over baseline.  However, gentle lymphatic drainage massage in the neck can be useful to help alleviate areas of firmness.

Yes, massage is very beneficial for hypertrophic scars.  Sometimes steroid injections are also indicated to reduce palpable hypertrophic scarring. 

Thank you for a great question and for sharing your experience. It is best to follow your surgeon's postoperative protocol, and I would contact them if you are unclear about what to do now.  In my practice, I have patients start using a scar gel and gentle massage depending on how they are healing after two weeks.  Your surgeon is the best one to asses what is appropriate for your individual stage of healing.  I hope this is helpful."This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Yes, I do recommend massage after 2 weeks.  At first it is gentle and as healing proceeds, it is more firm.  I have patients massage in the direction of the incisions and only upward over the cheeks and neck.  I would ask your surgeon for his advice. Good luck.

Many surgeons have specific guidelines as to how they want you to care for your incisions -- so please check in with yours. That said, I encourage patients to gently massage their incisions and to apply a silicone gel based scar formula, as well as SPF.

I find that at about the two to three week mark, gentle massage in the region helps to soften the slight amount of ridging and elevations that is common after facelift surgery.