How to help a bad lip lift scar? 8 months post-op facial feminization & lip lift (Photo)

Question

Hi, in December I had facial feminization surgery and that included a lip lift. My scar has only gotten worse and more red the farther I get from surgery. in the beginning I wasn’t the best at taking care of it. But have really been on top of it for the past few months. It’s really stressing me out with how red and bad it is cause I’m 21 and in college. Is this a hypertonic scar? Will laser help and make it be less noticeable? Is it possible to make it the scar everyone else gets? :(

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

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Scar care encompasses a variety of evidence based treatments to reduce the appearance of scars. This can include laser treatment to reduce redness, and steroid/5-FU injection to reduce the scar mass. Likely you can find a board certified dermatologist where you live who offers this type of care.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Based on the information I found, it seems that your scar may be hypertrophic, which means that it's raised and red due to excess collagen production. Hypertrophic scars are different from keloid scars, which are larger and extend beyond the original wound. Hypertrophic scars usually improve over time, but they can take up to a year or more to fully mature. Laser treatment may help reduce the redness and thickness of your scar, as well as improve its texture and appearance. There are different types of lasers that can be used for scar treatment, such as pulsed dye laser (PDL), fractional CO2 laser, and erbium:YAG laser. You may need multiple sessions of laser treatment to achieve the best results.Some other options that may help with your scar are micro-needling, steroid injections, silicone gel or sheets, and massage therapy. These methods can help soften, flatten, and fade the scar over time.The most important thing is to protect your scar from sun exposure, as this can worsen the redness and pigmentation.I hope this information is helpful and reassuring for you.

Masoud Saman, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear you aren’t satisfied with your scar but don’t despair, you have options. I will and break down my answer into section for ease of reading. 
1. **Hypertrophic Scar vs. Keloid:** A hypertrophic scar is raised and red but doesn't grow beyond the boundary of the original wound. A keloid, on the other hand, is an overgrowth of scar tissue that can expand beyond the wound area. It's important to determine which type of scar you have, as treatments can vary.
2. **Scar Maturation:** Scars can take up to a year or even longer to mature. Over this time, they may become less noticeable. The redness in a scar usually diminishes over time, but the exact duration can vary from person to person.
3. **Laser Treatment:** There are various laser treatments available that can potentially help in reducing the appearance of scars. For example, pulsed dye lasers can target the redness of a scar. Fractional lasers can help in improving the texture. It's essential to consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon experienced in laser treatments for scars to determine the best option for you.
4. **Other Treatments:** There are other treatments like silicone gel sheets, steroid injections, and microneedling that can potentially help with scars. Again, the effectiveness can vary depending on the individual and the nature of the scar.
5. **Revision Surgery:** In some cases, if a scar is particularly bothersome or not responding to treatments, a revision surgery might be considered. This would involve surgically removing the old scar and carefully closing the wound to produce a less noticeable scar.
6. **Consultation:** It's crucial to consult with your surgeon or a dermatologist to assess your scar and provide personalized advice. They can offer guidance on the best treatments and set realistic expectations.
Remember, everyone's healing process is different, and scars can behave differently in different individuals. It's essential to be patient and seek professional advice to address your concerns.

How to help a bad lip lift scar? 8 months post-op facial feminization & lip lift (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: You have options!

Answer: You have options!

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Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

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How to help a bad lip lift scar? 8 months post-op facial feminization & lip lift (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: You have options!

Answer: You have options!

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.