Sun Exposure on New Scars
April 23rd, 2024
Sun Exposure on New Scars. With summer around the corner, it’s wise to review the best way to assure a well-healed scar and minimize redness. All surgery leaves a scar, including cosmetic surgery. However, cosmetic surgery scars are designed to be less visible. Most of us have either had or observed minor injuries or a scrape at one time or another. If you recall how the scar on a skinned knee or elbow changes over time, you might remember that the process requires several months to mature or fade. It is important to keep new scars protected from the sun. Permanent pigmentation is likely to occur as a result of sun exposure.
Scars on the face mature quicker than scars on the back. A freshly healed scar looks pink or red and feels hard. This is the normal appearance and feel of scar tissue within the first six weeks of surgery. New collagen that is deposited by healing cells, feels hard to the touch. In addition, the process of healing requires increased blood flow. The large numbers of capillaries make the new scar look red. Scar maturation or healing is the process by which your body changes (remodels) the collagen and the capillaries in the scar.
Fortunately this process usually cycles through to completion and results with a soft scar that is barely visible. Think of scars being a kind of Thanksgiving turkey “doneness” indicator. When the timer pops up, the turkey is done. When your scars are soft and no longer pink, you have an indication that your internal healing is also complete. In both cases it can take longer than you hope! Continued sun protection and the use of sunscreen remain to play an important role for providing protection from the harmful effects of sun exposure. These precautions have also been shown to be critical for minimizing pre-mature aging. So if you must sport a tan, make it one that you can find in a bottle, because your skin will surely thank you!
Happy Facelift Patient
March 19th, 2024
Gregg writes: I am a 66 year old male and had a facelift. When I was looking into getting some work done I selected several Doctors in the area and had a consult with them. Dr. Bashioum and his team made me feel the most comfortable. I continue to be very pleased with the work that was done. Everyone on the team makes you feel so comfortable and explains things in great detail and welcomes questions any time. Dr. Bashioum even called me on in the evening before to see if I had any questions prior to surgery. I don’t know of any other doctors that would demonstrate that kind of patient care. After the surgery I was surprised how alert I felt. Great thanks to everyone on the team!!
Dr. Bashioum replies: Gregg, you are very kind to take the time to share your facelift experience. We love to hear that you are pleased with your results from surgery. I’m always amazed that patients are surprised to receive a personal call from me before and after surgery. I believe that patients appreciate having their questions answered quickly and a phone call is an easy way to put patients at ease. Surgery and recovery is stressful for most patients and a little reassuring goes a long way to ease the experience by knowing what to expect. I will share your comments with staff, always the highlight of my week!
Thanks again for sharing your experience, Dr. Ralph Bashioum, FACS
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