While facial plastic surgery procedures can take years off of your appearance, some people may worry about visible scarring. While the intention of facial plastic surgery is usually to make a person feel better about themselves, many people have concerns about whether or not there would be a long-term effect on the appearance of their face. Read on to learn more about factors that affect scar formation and how to reduce scarring following surgery.
Factors That Affect Scar Formation After Facial Plastic Surgery
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Meticulous wound closure
The main cause of scarring on the face following facial surgery is poor surgical technique. During surgery, incisions should be made as small as possible, hidden in natural creases and shadows, so it can be closed with minimal impact to surrounding tissues. Dr. Thomas Walker has developed a technique for doing just this, as well as other incision methods that can be used to minimize scarring after facial plastic surgery. Although any surgery will leave a scar, they very inconspicuous due to a combination of incision placement and tension-free wound closure technique. Sometimes, aftercare in certain body parts is done with lasers or silicone scar sheeting.
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An incision design that follows natural skin creases
Another reason that people worry about facial plastic surgery on the face is because they fear that the incisions created on visible skin will leave noticeable scars. When necessary, Dr. Walker will create incisions in the natural folds of the skin to ensure optimal results and hidden scars.
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Removal of skin stitches at a set time
In addition to the points mentioned above, it is essential to remove stitches at the right time. In general, sutures on the face should be removed after 5-7 days except in some areas after facelift surgery. Dr. Walker will schedule suture removal appointments individualized to each patient and procedure.
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An Optimized scar management system
Scar management is an essential factor in reducing the appearance of scars after facial plastic surgery. To reduce the appearance of scarring, patients should avoid direct sunlight as well as smoking. Patients can also gently massage the scar to break up scar tissue. Silicone scar sheeting or gel is often recommended in certain areas. For more tips on how to reduce the appearance of scars, feel free to ask Dr. Walker. Lastly, CO2 lasers are occasionally used to diminish the appearance of a scar.
Contact Us
Overall, Dr. Walker is highly skilled in performing an array of facial surgeries, and has the skill to ensure that your surgery does not result in noticeably visible scars. If you would like to learn more about our offered facial plastic surgery procedures or the odds of scarring after surgery, contact WalkerMD Facial Plastic Surgery today. Your first step will be to schedule a consultation appointment to get started.
