Should I get another scar revision? Options? (photos)

Question

I had an arm lift almost 2 years ago & the scars were awful. I went ahead and had another revision about 7 months ago & the scars are once again ...not great :( They run down the backs of my arms & are highly visible - both my elbows have these little points as well. I have tried every serum, potion, scar treatment etc

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Brachioplasty scars are frequently bad because of the thinness of the skin in this area, the tightness of closure, and the surgical difficulty of making a precise and accurate closure. It is tedious and time consuming to do right, and surgeons who sweat the details are frequently rewarded with still-crappy scars (now there's a medical term we can all recognize!), even after revision.However, poor technique will almost always yield bad scars. I'm not saying your surgeon did a poor job, but I do know that another scar revision by the same surgeon who did your second procedure is probably not a good plan. It could simply be how your skin heals in that location on your body, or it could be the (lack of) quality of the closure, or a combination of both. But you see where this is going. You can't change your skin or how it genetically heals, only the quality and precision of the closure, the suture materials chosen, and the technique. Then the post-operative management should be pro-active not reactive. Start silicone sheeting after two weeks and use it at least 12 hours per day. Paint-on medications are essentiallh worthless. Good luck and best wishes! Dr. Tholen

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about whether you should get an arm scar revision. Since you have not succeeded in arming scar surgeries, I suggest you now seek a different alternative. I would suggest you embark upon laser scar treatment; the scar laser I would suggest would be a Fraxel. A Fraxel laser helps to smooth the scar.
The little points at the end of your elbows are dog ears. These can only be remedied with surgical excision. This may require a little revision in the office where the excision is carried down the elbow and the dog ear is directly removed for the rest of the scar. My vote is the Fraxel laser.

Reza Rod, MD · Answer

Depending on how hard the scar is, I may treat my patients with some kenalog steroid injections directly to the scar. This can soften the scar and reduce the swelled appearance. I recommend asking your doctor if kenalog will help.If a patient still has issues with hypertrophic scarring at least 3 months after surgery, we use a combination of Micro Needling and Growth Factor Serum to reduce the thickness of the scars. Our licensed aesthetician performs the treatments in our office. Typically 3-4 treatments are recommended about 4 weeks apart. Our patients have seen nice improvement with both of these options and we also have them use a silicone based scar gel at home. The best to be achieved is to flatten the scar and decrease the pigmentation. Pigmentation can resolve on its own, but it can take several months. I would not recommend doing another surgical scar revision, as it is most certainly going to produce the same result.I wish you the best of luck!Reza Rod, M.D.

Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD, MS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  Unfortunately, the scars after an arm lift are one of the biggest downsides to the procedure.  Please keep in mind that everyone scars differently and that it can take a year for the scars to mature  I recommend following up with your operating surgeon to ensure that you are doing everything possible to treat your scars.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

Alicia Sigler, MD · Answer

Often the most difficult for patients who perform this procedure are the scars. Over the years some scars are fading or it have an aspect of strech mark, but it depends on each patient. Sometimes you can make a correction scar, but only in cases where the patient is candidate. I think the best is ask your doctor about your options.

Should I get another scar revision? Options? (photos)

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Answer: Arm lift scars

Answer: Arm lift scars

Answer: Arm Lift Scar - Brachioplasty Scar

Answer: Arm Lift Scar - Brachioplasty Scar

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Should I get another scar revision? Options? (photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Arm lift scars

Answer: Arm lift scars

Answer: Arm Lift Scar - Brachioplasty Scar

Answer: Arm Lift Scar - Brachioplasty Scar

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Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

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