After a facelift, the scar healing process can be smooth and seamless – if you are equipped with a roadmap to success. While scarring is usually a key concern for any patient who has undergone cosmetic surgery, your incisions will heal optimally with the proper care and attention. Over time, facelift scars can fade significantly to the point that they are barely noticeable. Choosing the right aftercare regimen can make a critical difference.
In this blog, our team of beauty experts at Sunder Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills will provide an overview of what you can do to manage your incisions and reduce facelift scarring. Proper scar care can mean the difference between a healing process rife with anxiety and a recovery journey that allows your confidence and peace of mind to soar.
Understanding the Stages of Facelift Scar Healing
Facelift scars go through several unique stages. Understanding this can help you to better prepare for what is ahead after your cosmetic procedure.
- Initial stage – Immediately after surgery, your incisions will begin their initial healing phase. This can last 4-6 weeks, during which scars may appear prominent, red, and raised. While alarming, this is normal for the initial healing period. It is vital that you follow your surgeon’s instructions to the letter, keeping your incisions clean and dry and avoiding any activity that could strain or put pressure on your incisions.
- Transition stage – After the initial healing phase is complete, your scars will gradually begin to transform. Instead of looking red and raised, they will start appearing flatter and lighter in color. This will happen over the course of a few months. By month three, many patients notice their scars are starting to blend in with the surrounding areas of skin.
What Factors Affect the Healing Process?
Each patient is a one-of-a-kind individual with a unique healing process. However, several generalizations about scar healing can be made. Age is a critical factor. The younger the patient, the more quickly their incisions will heal. Skin quality will also affect the healing rate. Those who smoke, have a poor diet, and are often exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays will find that their scars heal at a slower rate. Through a detailed consultation process, your surgeon can provide you with a realistic timeline for scar healing based on your unique characteristics.
Key Suggestions for Scar Management
The following tips can help you to successfully manage your incisions through the different scar healing phases.
- Follow your surgeon’s instructions – After your facelift, you will receive customized aftercare instructions, which include guidelines for minimizing the appearance of your scars. Ignoring these instructions can lead to complications that compromise your final results and jeopardize your investment in your appearance.
- Be gentle when cleaning your incisions – Use only mild soap and water when cleaning your scars, and don’t rub your skin. This will prevent infection and irritation. When you are done, use a soft towel to pat your incisions dry.
- Apply moisturizer regularly – Proper hydration is critical for scar care. Make sure to use a gentle, perfume-free moisturizer every day to keep your skin soft, supple, and nourished. Dry skin can make scars more prominent.
- Stay out of the sun – Sun exposure can make scars worse by darkening them. Whenever you go outside, keep your scars covered and protected. Use sunscreen with a high SPF if you must expose your incisions to the sun. Avoiding harmful UV rays is a critical component of any scar reduction protocol.
- Attend all your follow-up appointments – Your surgeon will want to see you for follow-up visits to check on your healing process and monitor the progression of your scars. During these sessions, your doctor can make changes to your care plan if needed. Early intervention with complications can make a huge impact, preventing issues from becoming more serious down the line.
- Drink plenty of water – Staying hydrated from the inside out can help optimize your skin quality and aid in the healing process. Water consumption can also improve skin elasticity, which bolsters scar recovery.
- Massage your scars – Gentle massage techniques can improve the appearance of your scars. Using light pressure and circular movements, you can help break down scar tissue, which leads to smoother, more supple skin.
Scar Healing Treatments and Solutions After a Facelift
Your surgeon has likely performed countless facelifts and has a deep grasp of what is needed to heal and fade your scars. Your provider may suggest the following remedies for improving the appearance of your incisions:
- Silicone gel sheets – Silicone gel sheets are an excellent option for hydrating scar tissue, reducing discoloration, and making scars blend in better with their surroundings. Within a few weeks of using them, patients often notice a marked improvement. The sheets can be applied under a layer of makeup.
- Scar creams – Many scar creams contain hyaluronic acid, a gel that nourishes the skin and replenishes its moisture content. Regular application of these products can lead to softer, smoother skin.
- Aloe vera – As a versatile and natural home remedy, aloe vera can soothe the skin, reducing swelling, redness, and dryness. Make sure to do a quick patch test before using any new skincare product.
- Vitamin E – Vitamin E is another well-known solution for scar care. It enhances hydration and improves the skin’s texture.
- Honey – Honey has numerous healing properties, especially when used as a topical salve. It works to keep your incisions hydrated while combating the risk of infection. Raw, unprocessed honey is the best.
- Essential oils – Essential oils, including lavender and tea tree oil, are known to improve the look of scars. They are antimicrobial and can help speed up recovery. However, it is important to dilute them before application, as this will prevent irritation.
The Impact of Your Lifestyle on Scar Healing
Lifestyle factors like your diet, sleeping schedule, and ability to manage stress will all impact your body’s healing abilities. It is a good idea to assess the following areas when thinking about scar healing, making the necessary changes to ensure a seamless recovery. Your surgeon will recommend the following tips:
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol – If you want to optimize scar healing, it is a wise decision to abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking can inhibit proper blood flow, reducing the vital oxygen the skin needs to recuperate. Consuming alcohol can lead to dehydration and a weakening of the immune response. In general, both smoking and drinking can hinder your body’s natural healing mechanism.
- Follow a healthy diet – Eating right after surgery will have a positive effect on the appearance of your scars. You need to take in a mix of leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains, and lean proteins for optimal balance and regeneration.
Get proper sleep – Sleeping well is critical for your recovery. It allows your body to repair itself. Try to get at least 7-9 hours per night if possible. - Manage stress – High levels of stress can impede the wound healing process, preventing your scars from properly resolving. Focus on deep breathing, meditation, naps, and recreation to support your overall well-being. Your scars will thank you!
Conclusion
Hopefully you now have a clearer understanding of the work you need to do at home to promote optimal scar healing. Your surgeon and care team will be on hand to support you, but you have to commit to following your doctor’s recommendations, avoiding sun exposure, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. No one else can do these things for you. By following a scar healing protocol and using trusted home remedies to soothe your incisions, you can enjoy a successful recovery process that leads to a beautiful, elegant facelift outcome.
Want to Learn More About Facelift Surgery? Contact Sunder Plastic Surgery Today!
Reach out to our state-of-the-art aesthetic practice in Beverly Hills, CA, today to get started with a personalized consultation. We are excited to meet with you and get you started along the path to a refreshed, revitalized appearance and heightened self-esteem through a customized facelift procedure.
