Plastic Surgery Scars: How Dr. Patronella Makes Them Hard to See
Posted May 09, 2023 in Ab Sculpting, Body Contouring, Brazilian Butt Lift, Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Breast Revision, Brow Lift, Combined Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift, Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty), Facelift, Facial Rejuvenation, Gynecomastia, Male Plastic Surgery, Mommy Makeover, No Drain Tummy Tuck, Post-Weight Loss Procedures, Scar, Skin Care, True Form Body Contouring®, True Form Tummy Tuck®, Tummy Tuck
By Dr. Christopher Patronella
It’s really important after a procedure where an incision has been made on the body to do as much as you can to improve the appearance of that scar so that it becomes inconspicuous over time. I will always put scars in places where they are least visible—in natural folds or concealed in underwear where they’re overall hard to see. In addition, the techniques that I use will optimize the overall effect of scarring in that person.
But there are other things than can be done to improve the scar as well. We have a Scar Therapy Program which includes several products for scars that help to flatten the scar and diminish its appearance to help it blend in with the surrounding skin above and below it. Those products include a moisturizing recovery gel; retinol, which naturally exfoliates skin and improves the overall appearance of scars; and then silicone gel—either the topical silicone pads or the silicone that is topically applied with your fingertips. This product regimen also helps to flatten scars. Following that, should it be needed, we can add laser treatment or a broadband light therapy treatment.
In a few patients who have darker complexions, hyperpigmentation can be an issue with scars. That is darkening where the patient can take in pigment in the scars, which can create a brown line. We have a product called a bleaching cream in which the active ingredient is hydroquinone. And that can be added to the regimen in order to help reduce the pigmentation of the scar.
It generally takes between one and two years for a scar to mature fully. And when it does mature fully, it tends to be fairly inconspicuous. Some people heal a little better than others. Some scars we have to work on a little longer than others. It just depends on the patient and their own body chemistry.
It is important to note though that the way a person heals can be demonstrated by previous procedures that they’ve had. For instance, if you healed well from a C-section, and your scar is relatively hard to see, then it’s predictable that a tummy tuck scar in your circumstance is also going to heal well and be hard to see.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Patronella.
