Plastic Surgery | The Office of Dr. Vincent Hung
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Plastic surgery can significantly transform your physical appearance and help you feel more comfortable and confident with how you look. Yet, with all of the available benefits, some women and men are hesitant because they fear the resulting scars.
While scarring is inevitable with any invasive surgical procedure, there are ways to minimize the presence and appearance of these resulting scars.
Below, we’ll explore some of the realities of plastic surgery scarring to help you better understand what to expect.
What Kind of Scarring Will You Have After Your Procedure?
The location, size, and type of post-surgical scarring depend entirely on the specific procedure you are undergoing and the extent of that procedure.
Below are three of the most common plastic surgery procedures and what kinds of scarring you can expect:
Facelift
Facelift surgery helps correct age-related concerns on the mid and lower face (from the cheeks to the neck). With this procedure, facial tissue is tightened and lifted, excess and sagging skin is trimmed away, and the remaining skin is pulled tightly on the face to erase the presence of wrinkles and fine lines.
With this procedure, incisions are made at the hairline near the temple. This incision runs down the profile of the face, behind the ears, and ends at the base of the scalp.
While scarring will result from this procedure, Dr. Hung hides the incisions as much as possible in the hairline.
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) involves removing stubborn fat from the belly (with liposuction surgery), tightening abdominal muscles, removing excess skin, and then pulling the remaining skin tight to create a more contoured and defined midsection. This procedure is a fantastic option for women to correct aesthetic issues in the tummy after pregnancy and childbirth.
Depending on the extent of the tummy tuck performed, the incision for this procedure will be made across the abdomen, stretching from hip to hip. This incision is located just above the pubic area, which keeps the resulting scars hidden by underwear and bikini bottoms.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most popular procedures for women and improves the size, shape, and volume of the breasts using breast implants (either silicone implants or saline implants).
This procedure is slightly different from other cosmetic procedures in that there are several options for incision locations. These options include the inframammary incision, which is located along the inframammary fold beneath the breast; the periareolar incision, which is located around the areola; and the transaxillary incision, which is located within the armpit.
While the inframammary incision can be visible when naked, the resulting scar will largely be hidden within the breast crease. Similarly, with a periareolar incision, the resulting scar will be hidden by the natural contours of the areola. The transaxillary incision is the only incision of the three that keeps the resulting scar completely hidden, whether wearing a bra or naked.
However, it is important to note that the type of incision used depends on the extent of the procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Hung will evaluate your condition to determine which of these incision locations is right for you and your aesthetic goals.
How Can I Reduce the Appearance of Plastic Surgery Scars?
As mentioned above, Dr. Hung does everything he can to place incisions in inconspicuous areas. However, the simple truth is that no scar will be completely invisible. The good news, though, is that there are ways to minimize the appearance of these scars.
While it differs with each patient and procedure, most scars will fade over time, with the final appearance of your scarring setting in after one year.
During this time, topical creams and silicone sheets can help improve the appearance of resulting scars — these work by keeping the scar and surrounding skin hydrated and healthy. One of the benefits of using silicone sheets is that they help protect the scar from external and environmental factors while limiting excess scar tissue from developing.
Another option is laser treatments. Fractional laser resurfacing with a CO2 laser can help to reduce (and even erase) any unsightly scarring from your skin.
However, it is vital to understand that scarring will result from any invasive procedure. But something to keep in mind is that the vast majority of patients look at these scars as a trade-off for the stunning and transformative results of their plastic surgery procedure.
Why Trust Dr. Hung With Your Procedure?
Dr. Vincent Hung is one of only a handful of doctors in the world who is triple board certified in internal medicine, dermatology, and plastic surgery. His credentials, knowledge, and experience allow him to help his patients achieve their aesthetic goals while minimizing any adverse results, including prominent scarring.
Dr. Hung and his trusted staff make sure to put the patient’s health at the forefront of everything they do. From your consultation to your follow-up appointment, you can rest assured knowing that Dr. Hung is there to answer any questions and calm any of your concerns. And because he has a background in dermatology and skin care, Dr. Hung can provide you with ideas about how to minimize scars.
Want to Learn More?
If you have questions about how plastic surgery can benefit you, or if you want to learn more about how you can minimize the appearance of surgical scars after your cosmetic procedure in Southern California, please feel free to contact Dr. Hung at 626-432-5032 (Pasadena) or 949-574-8292 (Newport Beach).
