5 Tips to Help Reduce Scarring After a Facial Plastic Surgery

Posted January 10, 2023 in Plastic Surgery Recovery, Plastic Surgery Scars

5 Minute Read: 

In 2020, over 2.3 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed. This number is staggering when you think about it, as men and women of all ages were able to transform their appearances into something more desirable with plastic surgery procedures. However, one of the consistent factors among each of these patients is that they all were left with some form of resulting scar(s) from their respective procedures. 

While most patients agree that some scarring is a fair trade for the transformative results they receive (especially since plastic surgery scars tend to be light in color and located in the natural creases of the body), scars on the face from plastic surgery procedures can be frustrating.

Your plastic surgeon will do everything they can to hide the visibility of incisions and resulting scars, especially during facial plastic surgery procedures, but the reality is that some scars will need to be made in places that are more visible. However, that doesn’t mean that scars need to be part of your normal appearance. 

This blog will explore some of the easy ways to minimize the appearance of scars after you undergo facial cosmetic surgery.

What Are Common Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures and Where Are the Incisions Made?

Facelift

One of the most common facial cosmetic procedures is facelift surgery. This procedure helps to minimize the presence of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin on the lower two-thirds of the face. For this procedure, the incisions will be made on the sides of the face (near the temples) and then down the profile of the face, around the ears, and ending at the base of the scalp. 

Neck Lift 

Similar to a facelift, neck lift surgery helps to tighten the skin on the neck to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin (including turkey neck and jowls). For this procedure, the incisions will be made behind the ears and under the chin. 

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) 

Eyelid surgery is a plastic surgery procedure that addresses sagging skin in the eyelids as well as puffiness under the eyes (bags under the eyes). You can choose to have upper blepharoplasty (which addresses issues in the upper eyelid), lower blepharoplasty (which corrects concerns in the lower eyelid), or a combination of both.

For upper blepharoplasty, the incision will be made in the natural creases of the eyelid, and for lower blepharoplasty, the incision will be made either just beneath the lower eyelashes or in the lower eyelid itself.

How Can You Minimize Scars?

As mentioned above, your plastic surgeon will do everything they can to place the incisions in hidden areas of your face; however, some incisions and their resulting scars will be more visible. 

Here are five of the easiest and most successful ways to reduce the appearance of scars on your face:

1. Stay Out of the Sun 

The sun’s UV rays do a number on the skin. When you are out in the sun for extended periods of time, your skin tans to a darker shade. However, it’s important to understand that scar tissue does not react to UV rays in the same manner as normal skin. Not only is scar tissue more susceptible to damage by these rays, but scars will become discolored from the sun, causing them to be more noticeable and unsightly. 

That’s why it is important to limit your sun exposure and make sure to wear sunscreen with a high SPF when you are outside.

2. Keep Your Hands Off Your Incisions 

It is human nature to scratch and itch; however, doing so to a healing incision after plastic surgery can be very problematic. If you put pressure on an incision, you can cause the incision to separate and widen, which will only exacerbate the resulting scar. 

Because of this, it is so important to keep your hands as far away from your incisions as possible and make sure that you are not sleeping in a position that may put added pressure on your incisions.

3. Use Topical Creams 

There are many topical creams and ointments available that can help the skin heal more fully after a trauma (like surgery). It is important to note that you cannot apply these creams or ointments until your incisions have healed, which means that you will need to wait until you are cleared by your plastic surgeon. 

This, along with so many other important postoperative instructions will be discussed at your surgical consultation and follow-up appointment.

4. Use Silicone Sheets 

Silicone sheets, similar to a band-aid, protect healing incisions from the outside environment after a cosmetic surgery. One of the most important and beneficial aspects of silicone, though, is that it helps to retain moisture in and around the incision so that it doesn’t dry out and heal irregularly. 

These sheets also help promote collagen production (which is important since collagen is responsible for the overall health and strength of your skin).

5. Hydrate

Since grade school, we’ve been told how important it is to drink plenty of water. And this is just as true after plastic surgery as it is any other time in your life. Staying hydrated helps improve the general health of your skin and body. Water improves blood circulation, which results in better and quicker healing to injuries, like incisions from cosmetic surgery. Additionally, keeping the actual incisions hydrated can help your body create more flexible scars, which can limit their visibility after they heal.

Want to Learn More About Minimizing Plastic Surgery Scars?

If you have any questions about how to reduce scars after plastic surgery, or if you want to learn more about the cosmetic procedures that Dr. Koch offers to men and women in and around Buffalo, New York, please call our office at (716) 631-1220 or fill out our online contact form.