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Facelift hypertrophic scars behind ears 6 month post-op? (Photos)

I've been seen by PS monthly . I had 1 injection for hypertrophic scars . Revision in office was discussed , Cuttently checking monthly . Can this be done in office . I've read wait a year . Please advise . Thank you

Doctor Answers 12

Hypertrophic scars after Face Lift

July 31st, 2016
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I agree with the experts that have answered before me.  These scars do not appear hypertrophic and should heal favorably over time. If they are perhaps more thickened and raised then they appear in the photographs, I  would treat with monthly injections of Kenalog/5FU.  However, it is the vascular nature of the scars that is really the issue. I would treat them with a PDL such as Vbeam, or with any IPL device. One or two treatments should make them indiscernible. Good Luck

Web reference: http://ridenourplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Facial-Cosmetic-Surgical-Procedures/Face-and-Neck-Lift

Brock Ridenour, MD


Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 122 reviews

July 31st, 2016

Hypertrophic scars after Face Lift

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I agree with the experts that have answered before me.  These scars do not appear hypertrophic and should heal favorably over time. If they are perhaps more thickened and raised then they appear in the photographs, I  would treat with monthly injections of Kenalog/5FU.  However, it is the vascular nature of the scars that is really the issue. I would treat them with a PDL such as Vbeam, or with any IPL device. One or two treatments should make them indiscernible. Good Luck

Learn more: http://ridenourplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Facial-Cosmetic-Surgical-Procedures/Face-and-Neck-Lift

Brock Ridenour, MD


Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 122 reviews

Postauricular scars

August 4th, 2016
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Postauricular scars are commonly seen as red and can be hypertrophic.  Treatment of scars depends on the type of scars seen and can include the following treatments:-laser treatments to help both scars and redness of scars -injections of kenalog or a combination of kenalog and 5-FU -scar revision if poorly positioned scarThe key to great scars after a facelift is to avoid tension on the skin and lift the deeper layer of the face.  Placing too much tension on the skin can make scars wider than ideal.  Meticulous closure technique can also aid in scar appearance.


Web reference: http://www.shahfacialplastics.com/facelift.html

Anil R. Shah, MD

Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 167 reviews

August 4th, 2016

Postauricular scars

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Postauricular scars are commonly seen as red and can be hypertrophic.  Treatment of scars depends on the type of scars seen and can include the following treatments:-laser treatments to help both scars and redness of scars -injections of kenalog or a combination of kenalog and 5-FU -scar revision if poorly positioned scarThe key to great scars after a facelift is to avoid tension on the skin and lift the deeper layer of the face.  Placing too much tension on the skin can make scars wider than ideal.  Meticulous closure technique can also aid in scar appearance.


Learn more: http://www.shahfacialplastics.com/facelift.html

Anil R. Shah, MD

Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 167 reviews

Try laser

July 31st, 2016
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Some laser treatments for the red, dilated capillaries should help a lot.Your plastic surgeon may not have a capillary laser and you may need treatment elsewhere.Revision can be considered in the future, but laser can help now.
Keith Denkler, MD
July 31st, 2016

Try laser

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Some laser treatments for the red, dilated capillaries should help a lot.Your plastic surgeon may not have a capillary laser and you may need treatment elsewhere.Revision can be considered in the future, but laser can help now.
Keith Denkler, MD

Not hypertrophic

July 29th, 2016
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Your scars do not appear to be hypertrophic but show hyperemia.  I don't see any benefit from a surgical revision at this point.  Time will decrease the color, but if you revise it, the exact same phenomenon could occur after the revision.  Lasers might help.  If your scars were hypertrophic, a scar revision in the office is reasonable.
Brian K. Machida, MD, FACS
July 29th, 2016

Not hypertrophic

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Your scars do not appear to be hypertrophic but show hyperemia.  I don't see any benefit from a surgical revision at this point.  Time will decrease the color, but if you revise it, the exact same phenomenon could occur after the revision.  Lasers might help.  If your scars were hypertrophic, a scar revision in the office is reasonable.
Brian K. Machida, MD, FACS

Wait!!

July 29th, 2016
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I would wait at least a year.  Agree with the steroid injections.  I have had good luck mixing 5-FU with the steroid (50;50).  This gives you a lower dose of steroid and the 5-FU works by a different mechanism in shrinking scars.  In time the redness will completely subside.  If you re-excise the scars I believe they will return with a vengance and be even more noticeable.

Jeffrey Marvel, MD
July 29th, 2016

Wait!!

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I would wait at least a year.  Agree with the steroid injections.  I have had good luck mixing 5-FU with the steroid (50;50).  This gives you a lower dose of steroid and the 5-FU works by a different mechanism in shrinking scars.  In time the redness will completely subside.  If you re-excise the scars I believe they will return with a vengance and be even more noticeable.

Jeffrey Marvel, MD

Facelift scars

July 29th, 2016
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These scars don't appear to be hypertrophic.  They look like they are still healing, and are red - but minimally thick or raised.  They should continue to heal, and with injections can usually be taken care of.  The injections themselves can produce some of the redness which can then be treated with Intense Pulsed light.  If the scar feels a little irregular there are other lasers which can help.  A silicone scar cream such as biocorneum can also help with the scar.    
John J. Martin, Jr., MD

John J. Martin, Jr., MD
Coral Gables Oculoplastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 28 reviews

July 29th, 2016

Facelift scars

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These scars don't appear to be hypertrophic.  They look like they are still healing, and are red - but minimally thick or raised.  They should continue to heal, and with injections can usually be taken care of.  The injections themselves can produce some of the redness which can then be treated with Intense Pulsed light.  If the scar feels a little irregular there are other lasers which can help.  A silicone scar cream such as biocorneum can also help with the scar.    
John J. Martin, Jr., MD

John J. Martin, Jr., MD
Coral Gables Oculoplastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 28 reviews

Facelift hypertrophic scars behind ears 6 month post-op?

July 29th, 2016
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In my opinion best treatment is the combination of re excision with the first 3 postop days of SRT (radiation therapy) in office. Fee $8,000.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
July 29th, 2016

Facelift hypertrophic scars behind ears 6 month post-op?

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In my opinion best treatment is the combination of re excision with the first 3 postop days of SRT (radiation therapy) in office. Fee $8,000.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Thick scars after facelift...

July 29th, 2016
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I'm sorry you are experiencing this, but with time and the treatment that your plastic surgeon is giving you, you will likely have a great outcome down the line. Your scars are still pink indicating that they have not fully matured yet. It takes a year or so before that happens. In the interim, like your surgeon, I like to treat these types of scars with an injection combination of kenalog (steroid) and 5-FU monthly. If the scars are still hypertrophic or unsightly after the injections and they have matured, an in-office revision under local anesthesia is perfectly reasonable. It sounds like your plastic surgeon is doing the right things. Good luck to you!

Web reference: http://www.plasticsurgerynola.com/face/lift-new-orleans/recovery

Parker A. Velargo, MD
July 29th, 2016

Thick scars after facelift...

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I'm sorry you are experiencing this, but with time and the treatment that your plastic surgeon is giving you, you will likely have a great outcome down the line. Your scars are still pink indicating that they have not fully matured yet. It takes a year or so before that happens. In the interim, like your surgeon, I like to treat these types of scars with an injection combination of kenalog (steroid) and 5-FU monthly. If the scars are still hypertrophic or unsightly after the injections and they have matured, an in-office revision under local anesthesia is perfectly reasonable. It sounds like your plastic surgeon is doing the right things. Good luck to you!

Learn more: http://www.plasticsurgerynola.com/face/lift-new-orleans/recovery

Parker A. Velargo, MD

Facelift scars still red

July 29th, 2016
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Since everyone heals differently the scars that you have are probably normal for you.  Your Plastic Surgeon seems to be treating them well and I recommend that you follow his/her recommendations as long as you have confidence in that person.  Laser treatment of the scars is another option.
Richard O. Gregory, MD
July 29th, 2016

Facelift scars still red

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Since everyone heals differently the scars that you have are probably normal for you.  Your Plastic Surgeon seems to be treating them well and I recommend that you follow his/her recommendations as long as you have confidence in that person.  Laser treatment of the scars is another option.
Richard O. Gregory, MD

Face lift - thick scars behind the ears

July 29th, 2016
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Thank you for asking about your facial hypertrophic scars.
  • If your scars are thick and itching, then they need to be treated.
  • Steroids and 5-FU injections usually help.
  • An office revision may also work but the risk is that the scars become hypertrophic again -
  • This is a common issue after face lifts because the skin behind the ear is tight, not loose, and tightness tends to cause thick scars.
Always see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Best wishes  - Elizabeth Morgan MD PHD FACS
Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD
July 29th, 2016

Face lift - thick scars behind the ears

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Thank you for asking about your facial hypertrophic scars.
  • If your scars are thick and itching, then they need to be treated.
  • Steroids and 5-FU injections usually help.
  • An office revision may also work but the risk is that the scars become hypertrophic again -
  • This is a common issue after face lifts because the skin behind the ear is tight, not loose, and tightness tends to cause thick scars.
Always see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Best wishes  - Elizabeth Morgan MD PHD FACS
Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD

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.