How To Hide Arm Lift Scars -

If you’ve had an arm lift, you know how important it is to keep your scars hidden. You don’t want them to be obvious or distracting, but at the same time, you want them to heal as quickly as possible so that they look as good as new. The best way to do this is by using a scar treatment cream.

In this guide, we find out How To Hide Arm Lift Scars, invisible arm lift cost, What is the best scar treatment for arm lift, and how long does it take for arm lift scars to heal. The first step is understanding what kind of scar treatment works best for your particular skin type. For example, if your skin is oily and prone to acne breakouts, then it will be important to find a product that doesn’t clog pores or irritate the skin. If your skin is dry and flaky, then you’ll want something that moisturizes without leaving behind an oily residue. And if your skin tends toward sensitive reactions (like redness), then look for products that won’t cause irritation or inflammation.

If you’ve ever thought about getting an arm lift, you likely know how important it is to avoid scars. An arm lift can be a big investment, so it’s important that you find a surgeon who can minimize the appearance of your scars after the surgery. If you’re still on the fence about getting an arm lift but have questions about how to minimize scarring or hide them if you do decide to go through with the procedure, read on!

What is an arm lift?

An arm lift is a surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from your upper arms. The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep during the operation.

A doctor will make an incision along each side of your armpit and remove any excess skin in this area. He or she will then reposition parts of your breast tissue to cover up the scars left behind by this surgery. Afterward, they place stitches over each incision site to hold everything together while it heals over time (about six weeks).

Some people choose not to have their breasts removed during an arm lift because they don’t want to lose their natural curves or feel self-conscious about having small breasts after having children (if this is something you’re thinking about).

How can I avoid scars from an arm lift?

Smoking and drinking alcohol are two of the most common causes of scarring, so if you’re going to have surgery, make sure you stop smoking and drinking for at least four weeks before your procedure.
Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and other painkillers can also increase your risk for scarring by making it harder for your body to form new blood vessels in the area where it needs them most. Avoid taking these medications before or after surgery if possible–and don’t take more than one dose per day unless specifically instructed otherwise by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
If possible, choose general anesthesia instead of regional anesthesia (such as spinal block). Regional blocks allow doctors more control over how much medication they use while still keeping patients unconscious during surgery; however they do not provide complete pain relief afterwards because they do not eliminate nerve signals completely like general anesthesia does

How do I deal with arm lift scars?

Moisturize the scars with a good moisturizer. This will help keep them from drying out and becoming itchy, as well as reducing their appearance over time.
Wear sunscreen when you’re outside for long periods of time. The sun can damage your skin and cause hyperpigmentation (dark spots), which may make your scars look worse than they already do.
Avoid picking at or rubbing the scar tissue, as this can cause inflammation and irritation that could lead to scarring in that area in addition to making any existing scars worse than they already are! If you must touch your facial or neck area, wash hands thoroughly first–you don’t want bacteria getting into open wounds!

There are a lot of ways to minimize the appearance of arm lift scars.

Wear loose clothing. This will help you hide your scars and make them less noticeable. If you’re wearing something tight and form-fitting, it’s going to show off every inch of your body–including any red marks or scabs from surgery! So if there’s one thing we can tell you about covering up these marks, it’s this: Don’t wear anything too tight!
Use sunblock regularly (and always wear sunscreen when outdoors). The sun causes aging in all areas of our bodies–not just on our faces but also on our hands and necks as well–so avoiding exposure is key when trying to prevent wrinkles later down the road (or even now!). Try using SPF30 or higher sunscreen daily during spring/summer months; remember that if no clouds are visible then UV rays still penetrate clouds so be sure not overlook this important step!

invisible arm lift cost

The invisible arm lift is a procedure that offers patients the dramatic results for tightening and removing the loose skin on the upper arms. The invisible arm lift is ideal for those patients who have lost significant weight, simple aging process or just have excess skin on the upper arms. If you want to see that significant change you’ve been hoping for in your upper arms, the invisible arm lift may be right for you.

The invisible arm lift is not a substitute for weight loss. The objective of the surgery is to improve the look of the upper arms by removing excess fat and skin.The best candidate for an invisible arm lift is the individual who has lost significant weight, have had a loss of the elasticity of the skin, simple aging but has maintained a stable weight. Age, obesity, and smoking habits are some of the factors our plastic surgeon considers when evaluating a candidate for this procedure.

RESULTS MAY VARY. VIEW DISCLAIMER *

Before Arm Lift Surgery

Prior to arm lift surgery, a complete medical history is taken in order to evaluate the general health of the patient. A careful examination is also conducted. The plastic surgeon and patient discuss together what can realistically be expected. Photographs may be taken before and after surgery to evaluate the amount of improvement.

Arm Lifts of the Past

In the past, an arm lift procedure was performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia with the patient asleep. The procedure took about 2-3 hours depending on the patient. Premedication may have been administered to relax the patient. First, the arms were liposuctioned to remove excess fat. An incision was then made along the lower inside of the upper arm from the elbow to the armpit, leaving you with a very visible scar running from your armpit to your elbow. Excess skin was then removed and the incision was closed with dissolvable sutures and adhesive skin closure strips, leaving you with a longer recovery time.

RESULTS MAY VARY. VIEW DISCLAIMER *

The Invisible Arm Lift

Today, with advanced medical procedures, we offer to you “The Invisible Arm Lift” offered to you exclusively by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Gloria Thomas. Performed in our surgical center, we can now eliminate the scar running from your armpit to your elbow by making a small incision about 2 inches long, right below your armpit-making it virtually unnoticeable. We then liposuction your arm, and then lightly tighten the skin and suture it off underneath the armpit, eliminating the need for a huge incision. With the entire procedure done in about an hour, it’s as easy as it sounds! Come in for a complimentary consultation today and we can begin the process of making you look decades younger!

Following Arm Lift Surgery

Patients may go home after the surgery and may return to work in about a week. During this time, patients must refrain from heavy lifting, straining or over-activity. Although patients are usually up and around the day of surgery, our plastic surgeon decides on a case by case basis when normal activities may be resumed. This decision is based upon the extent of surgery and the patient’s progress.

The amount of improvement is individual and depends upon the extent of surgery and the patient’s skin tone, body build, and healing process. Complications connected with the procedure are rare; however, there are inherent risks connected with every, surgical procedure. Possible risks and complications should be thoroughly discussed with the cosmetic surgeon prior to surgery. Patients can always minimize complications by carefully following directions given by the attending physician.

What is the best scar treatment for arm lift

Brachioplasty, also known as an arm lift, is a plastic surgery procedure to remove excess, sagging skin from the upper arm. Skin in this area sags with age (i.e. senile elastosis) despite diet, strength training, or toning exercises. Thus, the arm lift has long been a popular cosmetic surgical procedure among older individuals, especially women. However, the increase in bariatric/weight loss surgery has dramatically increased requests for arm lift procedures. The massive weight loss people enjoy after bariatric surgery leaves various areas of the body with excess skin, including the upper arm. For these reasons, brachioplasty has become one of the most popular aesthetic surgical procedures, but it is associated with certain complications.

A brachioplasty scar is common

Surgeons have published over two dozen ways to perform an arm lift. Why so many surgical approaches? Because the upper arm is a particularly difficult place on which to perform surgery. Surgeons must avoid nerves, major arteries, and the lymphatic system. The natural anatomy (e.g. fascia) of the upper arm makes it difficult to make aesthetically favorable incisions. Moreover, it becomes difficult close the surgical wound is a way that provides a good cosmetic result.

Even under the best of circumstances, most patients will be left with a brachioplasty scar. This brachioplasty scar is often noticeable to some degree when the patient exposes the underside of their bare arms. Several complications, either during surgery or during arm lift recovery, may make the brachioplasty scar worse. Deformities ranging from small wound separations to wound dehiscence can leave patients with an unsatisfactory cosmetic result.

Other arm lift complications

A brachioplasty scar is only one of the possible arm lift complications. Because of the length and location of the incision, brachioplasty pain is also relatively common. Other arm lift complications include infection, seroma (i.e., fluid collection), lymphedema, inability to close the arm, nerve compression, sensory loss, compartment syndrome, and bleeding. Fortunately compared to brachioplasty scar and brachioplasty pain, these other arm lift complications are relatively uncommon. On the other hand, if they do occur, they can increase the risk of having a brachioplasty scar that is more noticeable or less cosmetically favorable.

The importance of proper arm lift recovery

Fortunately, patients can take specific steps during arm lift recovery to reduce the risk of arm lift complications including unfavorable brachioplasty scar formation. While it seems obvious, it is critical to follow your surgeon’s post-brachioplasty instructions carefully. This includes attending all follow up appointments and adhering to all activity restrictions.

What to expect during arm lift recovery

After brachioplasty, most plastic surgeons will cover the surgical wound with bandages and medical tape. These bandages may be covered by elastic/compression bandages to reduce the risk of swelling and to keep the edges of the wound in place. Many surgeons also include small drainage tubes and reservoirs to collect excess fluid that may accumulate during arm lift recovery. It is important to follow specific instructions about bathing, dressing changes, and wound management you will receive. You may be asked to check the wound for signs of infection or avoid getting the area wet for a period of time. It may be possible to take sponge baths soon after brachioplasty surgery (ask your doctor). Some patients may need to take oral antibiotics or to apply anti-bacterial creams/ointments. Again, follow instructions carefully and fully.

Many patients find the activity restrictions during arm lift recovery challenging. Patients may be asked to refrain from lifting their arms above their shoulders for several weeks. In the case of a bilateral arm lift (both arms treated during the same surgery), certain grooming tasks like washing and combing hair are nearly impossible. However, the importance of these restrictions cannot be overstated.

How to minimize a brachioplasty scar

Keep the wound edges secure

Simply put, the better that skin is allowed to perform its natural healing process, the less noticeable the brachioplasty scar will be. One of the main ways to avoid a bad brachioplasty scar is to keep the edges of the wound together (i.e. approximated) and stable. The newly formed skin will look different than the original skin (i.e. a scar), but the thinner the gap between healthy sides of skin, the smaller the scar. Also, the less tension that is placed on the healing wound, the smaller the brachioplasty scar.

Keep a moist wound environment (but not too moist)

The wound should be kept moist, but not overly moist. Skin forms best in a hydrated environment—and the immune cells work best in this environment, too, However, too much moisture can dilute these helpful molecules. Keeping the wound covered is often enough to keep the wound from drying out. Ask your doctor if you need a source of extra protection, like a petroleum jelly product or something similar. On the other hand, frequent dressing changes can help excessively moist wounds stay dry.

Keep away ultraviolet rays

Newly forming skin and scar tissue is incredibly sensitive to the harmful effects of UV rays. The sun can darken a brachioplasty scar—darker than the surrounding skin. If safe to do so, keep your surgical scar covered with sunscreen (at least 30 SPF). If not safe to do so, keep it covered with occlusive medical tape or another UV protective barrier.

Keep eating healthfully

While there is limited evidence to suggest that oral supplements affect wound healing, it stands to reason that good nutrition is good for the body and healing skin. Surgery increases the metabolic demands on the body. In other words, you use up more macronutrients, vitamins and minerals during surgery and recovery than usual. Eating right can help you sustain and rebuild.

how long does it take for arm lift scars to heal

Patients often present with redundant skin and soft tissue of the arms following significant weight loss. Arm lift is a surgical procedure that tightens the skin envelope to improve arm contour. The trade off for improved contour is the resultant scarring. For cases with a mild degree of skin redundancy, a limited excision within the underarm may be possible. Most cases however require an incision that extends from the underarm to elbow region to achieve a tightening effect. The incisions are most commonly placed along the inner arm to reduce visibility at conversational distance. Although an incision at the back of the arm is possible, this may be more visible in social settings when wearing short sleeves. Arm lift scars will be discussed in detail during consultation to ensure that expectations may be achieved. Patients commonly ask how long it takes for arm lift scars to fade.

One year for arm lift scars to mature

Arm lift scars are permanent. Scars appear most immature for 4-6 weeks post-operatively and then begin to mature and remodel over one year. Scars will initially appear pink and blanch with applied pressure. As long as scars are protected from UV exposure — which should be minimal when placed along the inner arm — they should fade to skin tone over the course of one year. Scars may widen with time due to movement and wound tension. A detailed history will be performed during consultation to rule out additional risk factors for more pronounced scarring.

Scar management may improve the appearance of arm lift scars

Scar management will be discussed during routine follow up. Scar massage may be an effective technique to desensitize and flatten immature scars. Silicone sheeting or paper tape may also be applied to the incisions over the first few months. They promote faster scar remodeling, potentially through scar hydration or by increasing scar temperature. They should be worn full-time except when showering over the first few months post-operatively to be effective.

Early post-op care may lower risk of healing complications and lead to better arm lift scars

Following recommended activity restrictions may reduce the risk of wound healing complications and lead to better scarring. It is recommended to wear a tensor wrap over the first two weeks following surgery to reduce swelling. If greater tension is placed across the incisions during early healing, this may increase the risk of scar widening and further healing complications. Heavy lifting and exercise should also be avoided over the first month to lower risk of bleeding and increased swelling.

Please contact us if considering body contouring in the Toronto area to schedule a consultation with female plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephanie Power. Arm lift may a powerful procedure to tighten the skin envelope and to improve arm contour in appropriately selected patients. Dr. Power will listen to your aesthetic goals and assess whether this surgery may be right for you.

How To Hide Arm Lift Scars