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Scar Care After Facial Surgery
Every incision leaves a mark, but a well-placed, well-tended scar can become one of the quietest parts of your face.
Good scar care after surgery means keeping the wound clean until it closes, then protecting it from sun and tension, using silicone gel or sheets if your surgeon recommends them, and being patient. Scars usually look pink for several months and continue to fade and soften for about a year. Individual healing varies.
How a scar forms and matures
Effective scar care after facial surgery starts with understanding what a scar is. When skin is cut, the body closes the gap with new collagen, the protein that gives skin its strength. Healing happens in overlapping stages:
- Inflammatory phase (roughly the first days). Blood clots, immune cells clean the wound, and the edges seal.
- Proliferative phase (roughly weeks 1–6). New collagen and small blood vessels fill the wound. The scar often looks red or pink and may feel raised or firm.
- Remodeling phase (months to about a year or more). Collagen is reorganized into a stronger, flatter arrangement. Colour fades, and the scar softens.
Because remodeling takes so long, a scar at six weeks is not the scar you will live with. Most facial scars look noticeably better at six months and continue to improve toward a year.
Why facial scars usually heal well
The face has an excellent blood supply, which supports healing. Incisions are also planned to follow natural lines and shadows: an eyelid crease, the edge of the ear, the hairline, or the inside of the nostril. Eyelid skin in particular is thin and tends to heal with fine lines. At Will Be, Dr. Kim Jun-young, representative surgeon, plans incision placement and closure with the scar in mind from the start, because careful closure without tension is one of the most important factors a surgeon controls.
Some factors remain individual: skin type, genetics, age, smoking and sun exposure all influence how a scar matures. People with a personal or family history of raised scars should mention this at consultation.
Scar care after facial surgery, stage by stage
| Stage | What to do |
|---|---|
| Until stitches are out (often days 5–7 on the face) | Keep incisions clean and follow wound-care instructions. Do not pick crusts. Apply ointment only if prescribed. |
| Once the wound has fully closed | Begin silicone gel or sheets if your surgeon recommends them. Start strict sun protection. |
| Weeks 3–8 | Gentle scar massage only if advised. Avoid tension on the scar and friction from rubbing. |
| Months 2–12 | Continue sun protection and silicone as advised. Review at follow-up; raised or darkening scars can be treated early. |
These timings are general. Your surgeon will confirm when to start each step for your incision.
The core habits of good scar care
- Silicone. Silicone gel or sheets are commonly recommended once the wound has closed. They are thought to help by keeping the scar hydrated and moderating collagen production. Use them consistently for the period advised.
- Sun protection. Ultraviolet light can darken healing scars, particularly in medium and darker skin tones, and the change may be long-lasting. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and continue for many months.
- No tension. Avoid pulling on the scar, heavy facial expressions early on, and anything that stretches the area.
- No picking. Crusts protect new skin underneath. Removing them early can widen the scar.
- No smoking. Smoking reduces blood flow to healing skin and is associated with poorer wound healing.
- Massage only when advised. Gentle massage can help some scars soften, but starting too early can disturb healing.
What is normal, and when to contact the clinic
It is normal for a scar to look pink, feel slightly raised or firm, itch, or feel numb in the first months. Itching is usually a sign of healing nerves and collagen activity.
Contact the clinic if:
- An incision opens, or there is discharge, spreading redness, warmth or fever.
- A scar becomes increasingly thick, raised, hard or itchy after the first six to eight weeks, rather than softening. This may be a hypertrophic scar (raised but within the wound) or, less commonly, a keloid (extending beyond the wound).
- A scar is darkening noticeably despite sun protection.
Raised or darkened scars respond better when treated early. Options may include steroid injections, silicone, laser or other treatments, decided by your surgeon after examination. If you are concerned about scars from a previous eyelid operation, see visible eyelid surgery scars.
Scars by procedure
Different procedures place scars in different places. In incisional double eyelid surgery, the scar sits within the new crease and is usually hidden when the eyes are open. In revision double eyelid surgery, the surgeon often works through the existing scar. In a facelift, incisions follow the contours around the ear and into the hairline. Rhinoplasty may leave a small scar across the columella (the strip between the nostrils) or none at all when work is done from inside. Your surgeon will explain exactly where your incisions will be.
Makeup, skincare and daily life with a healing scar
Once the wound has fully closed and your surgeon agrees, makeup can usually be applied over a healed scar. Choose gentle, fragrance-free products and remove them with a soft touch rather than rubbing. Green-tinted correctors can help neutralize redness in the early months. Avoid exfoliating acids, retinoids and strong active ingredients directly on a new scar unless your surgeon approves them.
Daily life rarely needs to change much. Wash gently, pat dry, and keep the area moisturized. Swimming in pools or the sea usually waits until the incision has closed completely. For eyelid scars, avoid rubbing your eyes, and take care when removing eye makeup or contact lenses. The small habits of the first months add up to a quieter scar a year later.
Notes for international patients
Much of scar maturation happens after you return home, so bring enough silicone product and sunscreen for the first months, or confirm what you can buy locally. Send clear photos of your scars at agreed intervals; Dr. Kim reviews them personally and can advise if anything needs attention. Our guide to aftercare after returning home covers the practical side.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Still wondering about something? Ask Dr. Kim directly — every consultation at Will Be is with the surgeon himself.
How long does it take for a surgical scar to fade?
Most facial scars look pink or red for the first few months, then gradually fade and soften as collagen remodels. Noticeable improvement often occurs by about six months, and scars continue to mature for around a year or longer. Skin type, genetics, sun exposure and aftercare all influence how a scar eventually looks.
When can I start using silicone gel on my scar?
Silicone gel or sheets are usually started only after the wound has fully closed and any stitches have been removed, often a week or two after facial surgery. Applying them to an open wound is not advised. Your surgeon will tell you when to begin and how long to continue.
Do I really need sunscreen on a scar?
Yes. Ultraviolet light can darken a healing scar, and that discoloration may be long-lasting, especially in medium and darker skin tones. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on healed scars, reapply when outdoors, and add a hat or sunglasses for facial incisions. Continue for many months while the scar matures.
Is it normal for my scar to itch?
Itching is common during the first months of scar healing. It is associated with nerve recovery and active collagen remodeling. Avoid scratching, which can irritate the scar. If itching is accompanied by a scar that is becoming thicker, harder or more raised, contact your clinic for an assessment.
What is the difference between a hypertrophic scar and a keloid?
A hypertrophic scar is raised and thick but stays within the boundaries of the original wound, and it often improves over time or with treatment. A keloid grows beyond the original wound edges and tends to be more persistent. Both are less common on the face but should be assessed early by your surgeon.
Can scar massage help?
Gentle massage may help some scars soften and flatten once the wound is fully healed, but starting too early can disturb healing tissue. Some procedures, such as fat grafting or thread lifts, have specific restrictions. Only begin scar massage when your surgeon advises it, and follow the technique they recommend.
One surgeon · Consultation to follow-up
If a scar from a past operation still bothers you, or you want to understand where yours would be, Dr. Kim is happy to look with you.
Consultations in Seoul and online. Dr. Kim Jun-young personally reviews every case.