Can I Get Scars From Arm Lift Surgery? - Cosmetic Surgery Guide


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There will certainly be scarring immediately after the surgery; however, scars are left on the underside of your arm (where they are less noticeable), and these will gradually fade.

Your surgeon will be able to give you an estimate of what the nature of your scars may be, based on the amount of excess skin which needs to be removed, and taking into account your medical history.

Reducing scarring from arm lift surgery

There are some ways in which you can affect the development of scars yourself, for example altering your diet and applying treatment creams to the scar itself. During the first 72 hours after surgery you should try to keep the areas of skin on which the operation was carried out dry and clean. The dressing (gauze or bandage) on your wound will also need to be changed at daily or every two days basis, your surgeon will advise you on how often you should change your dressing. You should also maintain good standards of hygiene while interacting with the dressing and the area of the wound (for example, washing your hands thoroughly before you change the dressing). Also, it is advisable that you avoid taking baths or swimming until the wound has healed (public bathing areas such as swimming pools are potentially dangerous, as bacteria from the water can enter your wound and cause an infection). Changes to your diet which may help the healing process may include eating high levels of vitamin C (found in some fruits and vegetables such as oranges, strawberries and chilli peppers), protein (for example in meats, fish or dairy products) and zinc (from sesame seeds, lamb and peanuts). Changing your diet to include foods such as these may help your post-surgery wounds to heal faster and better, however, they do not prevent scarring.

Reducing the visibility of scars is also possible, methods for doing so include:

  • The application of self-adhesive silicone sheeting. This protects the area of the wound from infection and may also hydrate the scar itself, causing it to soften, and fade faster. Silicone sheeting may also limit the development of the scar tissue. Silicone gel treatments can have a similar effect.
  • Laser skin resurfacing can reduce the visibility of mild scars; however, it is only suitable for some types of scars. Laser skin resurfacing works by removing outer layers of skin from the scar itself, using high-energy light.
  • Chemical peels work in a similar way. The top layers of scar tissue are removed, and the growth of new skin is stimulated. This new tissue on the scar is softer and carries less scarring.
  • Dermabrasion and also microdermabrasion remove the outer layers of skin, and have a similar result to chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing.
  • The application of tape containing a form of steroid to the scar, or an injection of a strong steroid into the scar can cause the scar tissue to decrease in size and become softer. The use of steroids can make a scar appear paler and smoother.
  • You can also have surgery to change the size or shape of your scar. The scar can be excised (cut out) and replaced with skin from a healthy part of your body, this process is known as skin grafting.

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