Want to minimize your arm lift scars? It all starts with the plastic surgeon you choose and how you handle arm lift recovery. From there, it’s important to take control of the scar-healing process and ensure you end up with smooth, faded scars.
Below, we’ve created a list of our top tips for reducing the visibility of arm lift surgery scars.
Arm Lift Scars Before and After: What to Expect
The truth is, healed arm lift surgery scars are somewhat noticeable. Arm lift scars after 1 year will probably be visible, despite being faded.
With that said, it’s important to remember that, for most people, not having an unsightly amount of excess arm skin and unwanted fat on the upper arms is far superior to some incision lines that are slightly noticeable. Of course we want you to be happy with your arm lift or mini arm lift surgery outcome. But we also want to make sure we’re being realistic and honest with our patients.
Where Are Arm Lift Scars Located?
For nearly every arm lift surgery, arm lift incisions are made from the armpit to the elbow on the inner side of each upper arm. Plastic surgeons put the incisions here so that they are more concealed, especially when your arms are resting at your side.
With that said, your upper arm incision sites (scars) will be noticeable even after your wounds have healed, simply because the entire circumference of your arms may be noticeable in the right sleeveless or short-sleeved top (or shirtless).
At first, your incision sites will have mild redness and a slightly raised scar texture. Once the wound-healing process has been completed, your scars should begin to fade and flatten. Soon, they will become flush with the rest of your skin, and the pigment should begin to fade and blend with the surrounding skin and nearby healthy skin cells.
At this time, if you notice any enhanced scar texture, be sure to notify your surgeon right away. It’s possible that any excessively visible scarring means you may benefit from laser treatments or other additional care.
Tips for Minimizing Arm Lift Scars
Once the wound healing process has been completed, here are some tips for optimizing your upper arm lift results and minimizing the appearance of scars.
Follow your surgeon’s after-surgery directions.
Your surgeon will have specific instructions on how to sleep, bathe, and care for your incision sites during your recovery period. It is always important to follow these directions closely, as they can make or break the success and outcome of your surgery.
They can also influence scar reduction. If you have questions about your recovery instructions, be sure to ask them right away.
Take care of your health.
Follow a healthy diet after your surgical procedure. Drink plenty of water to reduce swelling and stay hydrated.
Move around (frequent short and easy walks) to promote good circulation. All of this, believe it or not, can help with healing your incision sites and reducing scars.
Use massage to break up scar tissue.
Self-massage (after wounds have healed) will help to break up lumpy scar tissue beneath the skin. Arm lift scars typically have quite significant scars, so any scar tissue can result in lumpiness and bumpiness.
Try silicone scar sheets.
Silicone scar sheets can make scars flatter and less red. They can also help to reduce collagen production to keep scars smoother. Finally, silicone hydrates scars for proper healing.
Arm Lift Scar FAQs
Who is a good candidate for arm lift surgery?
The best arm lift surgery candidates are those who have a significant amount of excess skin on their upper arms. Patients often have excess fat in the upper arm area as well.
Most patients who undergo arm lift surgery have experienced significant weight loss, which is why the skin on their upper arms has stretched and not retracted after weight loss. Some patients may simply have excess upper arm skin due to poor skin elasticity, genetics, or aging.
To be a candidate for this surgery, you must be in good physical health and at a healthy, stable weight. You should not have any major medical conditions or be a smoker.
What is an extended arm lift?
When a patient has additional loose skin on the side of their body, an extended arm lift may be performed. Extended arm lifts require longer incisions, which naturally results in a larger surgical scar on each arm and side of the body.
Book a Consultation Appointment
We understand that patients are concerned about having an obvious arm lift surgery scar on each arm after their brachioplasty (arm lift surgery). Naturally, no one wants this.
Fortunately, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Galanis can help you get rid of excess skin and fat on your upper arms without leaving behind a lot of scar tissue and extremely noticeable scars.
Please contact us today to schedule an appointment for arm lift surgery with Dr. Galanis. We look forward to your call.
