What is the Best Scar Cream for Open Rhinoplasty?

Question

I had an open rhinoplasty done about a week ago. I would like to buy a scar cream to make the incision cut go away. What is the best one or most commonly used? Can I buy this online or at a drug store?

Rod J. Rohrich, MD · Answer

For an open rhinoplasty, I have my own scar cream that I have formulated which has Vitamin A, E, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin C cream. It helps to moisturize the area of your scar. The key is to apply a moisturizer twice a day for 6 months to the incision area.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

In my practice, an open approach is preferred for nearly all nose job surgeries, and this scar heals incredibly well without the routine use of any topical preparations. If you want to try something, you could try a topical silicone product like Scar-Guard, but in my experience, this is largely unnecessary.

	Dr. Joseph

James M. Pearson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Your desire to speed up the recovery process is understandable. However, scar maturation needs time. As noted by other doctors, topical treatments are generally not required following a well-performed open rhinoplasty incision. Healing is typically excellent and imperceptible. Sunblock may prevent or minimize sun-related discoloration of maturing scars. For early scars that are slightly raised or demonstrate imperfect alignment of wound edges, silicon sheeting may be useful. If you have concerns about your healing, contact your surgeon - especially during the early postoperative period. Good luck.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Precise surgical closure and expert technique are required, but your genetics of healing play a role in the final scar you will have. Any manipulation (scar cream, gel, sheets, massage, etc.) AT THIS TIME is only going to adversely affect your scar. It needs to become strong and durable before anything at all is done to try to "improve" your scar.

	Again, precise closure and expert technique is the best way to get the best scar. At 3 weeks post-op I recommend Vitamin E oil massage to help soften and reduce swelling in any scar that seems a bit raised or firm, but usually nothing other than "tincture of time" is needed or recommended.

	I'd ask your surgeon first, and then go easy on any scar treatment you plan to try. Most scar treatments benefit the seller much more than the purchaser! Best wishes!

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

In agreement with other responders, no specific management of your scar is indicated at this time except to avoid trauma and/or manipulation, which the application of scar medicaments may represent. In the highly unlikely circumstance that the scar does not "melt away" over time, surgical revision, a minor office procedure, is the best treatment.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

In over 35 years of open rhinoplasty, I have never had a bad scar. You need nothing to treat it if done properly.

Matthew Bridges, MD, FACS · Answer

I agree that most of the time, if closed properly (and opened properly), the incision heals imperceptibly without any scar creams. That said, the only type of scar cream/gel that has any scientific evidence to support its use is silicone sheeting. I occasionally recommend kelocote, a silicone based gel, which can be found online (just do a search). Other creams like mederma have no real scientific basis for working. Check with your surgeon before you put anything on the incision, however.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi OC Dbl,

	The best way to insure excellent healing of the open rhinoplasty incision is to have a rhinoplasty surgeon who knows how to best close the wound.  Most of us recommend either Vitamin E and/or Aloe Vera for the wound after about one week.  Good luck and be well.

	Dr. P

Gregory Pippin, MD · Answer

I have never seen a "bad scar" following rhinoplasty.  You are far too early in the post-operative period to consider any scar therapy.  At this point dilute peroxide and polysporin is all I recommend to my patients.  It is very unlikely that you would require silicone gel/sheets.  There is no evidence that Mederma is effective.  Ask your surgeon for their advice.  Warmest regards.

	Dr. Pippin

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