Can this mini arm lift scar be shortened? Will a revision help? (Photos)

Question

I need some hope! I had a horrible mini arm lift, and am skeptical about using the original (board certified plastic surgeon) again since he botched the first surgery so badly. This is not at all what I wanted, what all the pictures of before and afters that I researched look like and clearly after the first arm, he did the second side differently, realizing what a mistake he made. The scar on my right side goes far into my back, and I absolutely cannot hide it. The left side has dog ears. The worst part is it didn’t even address the loose skin on my arm. Any tips, options or help would be much appreciated! sidenote… I scar very well and part of one of my scars is hypertrophic.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi kskdawn1, Thank you for your question about whether your mini arm lift scar can be shortened and whether a revision would help.  Thank you for your history and photos.  When analyzing your photos, you have mildly hypertrophic scars on both sides.  A widened or slightly hypertrophic scar is not uncommon after a crescent or mini arm lift / brachioplasty.  Due to the position of your mini arm lift scar and the anatomy of the axillae (armpit), your mini arm lift cannot be shortened surgically.  Most plastic surgeons would agree that it is preferable to revise your mini arm lift scar with non-surgical methods.  The best treatment would be the FRAXEL laser; you may need several treatments.  Other alternatives include 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) injections.  Most plastic surgeons would not suggest Kenalog due to the potential of irregular hypopigmentation (white spots).  Since scars take up to 2 years to fully mature, you should also apply silicone cream and silicone strips to these scars for up to TWO years.  Good luck.  I hope I have answered your questions about whether your mini arm lift scar can be shortened and whether a revision would help.  I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction.  If you have any further questions about arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty, arm scar revision, or arm crease fat grafting, contact an experienced plastic surgeon.  
To get an accurate assessment of your needs, schedule a free virtual consultation.  Most plastic surgeons offer free virtual consultations.

Since an arm lift can be a challenging surgery, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts.  Do your research.  Make sure they have performed at least 150 arm lift procedures.  Make sure they have the before-and-after pictures to prove it.  Carefully review their before-and-after photos and check their reviews on RealSelf.   Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS ( Plastic Surgeon , President of  the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,  and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Can this mini arm lift scar be shortened? Will a revision help? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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