The short answer is yes. Most likely, 1 week post op deep plane facelift scars will be visible. With that said, your scars should not be visible for all of time.
Indeed, most deep plane facelift patients do not have visible scarring after one year or slightly longer. This is not because scars don’t exist, but rather because the scars that do exist have faded.
At first, however, during your recovery 1 week post op deep plane facelift scars will likely be visible.
Below, we’ll take a deep dive into the recovery process and what to expect in terms of scarring. First, however: What is deep plane facelift surgery?
What Is Deep Plane Facelift Surgery?
The goal of a deep plane facelift is to reduce sagging jowls, wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and other early signs of aging on the face. The procedure lifts both the SMAS layer and the upper layer of skin as one. The ligaments beneath are then released, and the tissues and skin repositioned before closing up the incisions.
Deep Plane Facelift Recovery
In terms of a general overview of deep plane facelift recovery day by day you should be feeling better and better. Discomfort, swelling, and bruising are common during the healing process. But these symptoms should subside significantly within one to two weeks.
Make sure you are following all of your plastic surgeon’s post operative instructions. These will be outlined to you in detail at your discharge after surgery, and you should also be able to take home a packet of information for your future reference.
You may need to sleep, bathe, and move around differently after surgery, so be prepared for this. Avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise is essential during the first few weeks of your recovery. However, to maintain a healthy blood flow and avoid blood clots, do try to frequently get up and move around slowly.
Get a good night’s sleep every night, eat a nutritious diet, drink a lot of water every day, and focus on taking it easy in general. Don’t try to do too much as you allow your body to heal and look forward to your deep plane facelift results. Failing to get enough rest may delay healing and compromise your results and your future facial structure.
Deep Plane Facelift Scars
After any type of plastic surgery involving incisions, patients will end up with scars. Most incisions are made in the folds around the ears and within the hairline for deep plane facelift surgery. Right after your procedure, your underlying tissue will be particularly inflamed, so your scars will be raised, redder, and more noticeable.
Later, in addition to some light pain, bruising, and residual swelling 1 week post op deep plane facelift scars will usually present as faintly colored and slightly raised. Around this time, you’ll have a follow up visit with your surgeon wherein they will inspect your scars and the underlying tissues to be sure you are healing well.
Further on in your recovery, you should notice your scars fade and reduce in size and inflammation. Follow these directions to reduce scar appearance:
Keep Your Head Elevated
Keeping your head elevated will reduce swelling, which will help your incisions heal faster during the recovery period. You can usually return to normal activities after four weeks or longer.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Avoiding sun exposure helps you avoid excess pigmentation in your scars and promotes natural looking outcomes.
Avoid Strenuous Exercise
For several weeks post surgery, do not exercise. You will want to get up and start walking around during the first week of recovery, but too much exercise can cause a raise in blood pressure, which could complicate your recovery and mar your results.
Use Silicone
Silicone has been known to reduce the appearance of scars after surgery. If you are concerned about noticeable scarring, consider a silicone-based scar ointment.
FAQ: Deep Plane Facelift Surgery
How long will deep plane facelift results last?
Because the surgical technique used with a deep plane facelift is actually altering the deeper tissues, you can expect lasting changes after this cosmetic surgery.
You’ll want to continue leading a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your facial skin by avoiding excess sun exposure and using the proper skin care routine. However, most patients enjoy the results of this facial rejuvenation surgery for many years.
How much is deep plane facelift surgery?
As with a neck lift, brow lift, or any other cosmetic surgical procedure, the cost of a deep plane facelift can vary drastically. For this reason, you’ll want to wait until your consultation appointment to discuss deep plane facelift cost in more detail with your plastic surgeon.
Contact Us to Book a Consultation Appointment
Are you thinking about undergoing a deep plane facelift Las Vegas? This surgery can get rid of excess skin, smooth and tighten your remaining skin, reduce wrinkles, and give you a more youthful appearance overall.
Contact us today to set up a one-on-one consultation appointment with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rachel Mason. We look forward to hearing from you.