Yes. If you undergo facelift surgery, facelift scars are an inevitable result. But wait — before you run away and dismiss this surgery altogether, know this: Today, facelift scars are typically quite difficult to discern.
In fact, with a good surgeon and the proper technique and wound care, the appearance of any scarring can be drastically reduced after a facelift. Up ahead, we’ll discuss where facelift scars are usually located, what they tend to look like, and what you can do about them to minimize their appearance.
First, however, let’s take a moment to get back to basics: What is a facelift and what does it do?
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift procedure aims to correct sagging skin, droopiness, and wrinkles on the face and neck. Most of the time, a neck lift is paired with a facelift.
Some patients may also want to add other procedures. However, if patients are only interested in lifting their eye area, for example, they may simply need a brow lift or eyelid surgery — and will thus not require a whole facelift.
Once incisions are made along the hairline and behind the ear, your surgeon will remove any excess skin and fat, lift and tighten the underlying muscles and fat, and close the incisions.
Where Are Facelift Scars?
Any visible scars after facelift surgery are going to occur wherever facelift incisions are made. Typically, we make facelift incisions along the hairline and behind the ears.
If you are getting a neck lift as well (which is common when undergoing facelift surgery), you may also have one small incision beneath the chin.
What do Facelift Scars Look Like?
Facelift scarring tends to be hard to see because each incision is made within the hairline. This means that the hair will naturally cover up the incisions and subsequent scars.
A traditional facelift will require several small incisions to be made along the hairline at various points, and these incisions will then extend to behind the ear on either side. A mini facelift (sometimes called a short scar facelift), on the other hand, is a very similar cosmetic surgery that will require fewer and smaller incisions. This means that mini facelift scars tend to be hardly visible.
Neck lift scars are the same as facelift scars except for one exception. If you choose to undergo a neck lift along with your facelift, you may have an additional incision made directly beneath your chin. Fortunately, this incision and scar is difficult to see as well because it lies in the shadow of your chin and is very small.
How Can the Appearance of Facelift Scars Be Reduced?
Start by choosing the right surgeon.
A good surgeon is adept at hiding scars and can do a lot to make your scars next to invisible. First, they will be able to carefully position each incision within your hairline at a strategic point so that they are collectively very difficult to see after they have healed.
Likewise, if they have good incision technique, the incisions will be very small and precise. Moreover, if they are extremely careful when closing their incisions, this can also help to ensure smooth and seamless wound closure and very little scar tissue.
Care properly for yourself during recovery.
Another key to minimizing scarring is ensuring you are careful about following all of your recovery instructions.
During your facelift recovery and the healing process, your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions on proper wound care, what you can and cannot do physically in terms of movement and exercise, how to properly bathe, how to sleep, and more. These instructions are meant to help facelift patients requover more quickly and with greater ease. But they are also important when it comes to reducing visible scarring.
You can minimize scarring, for example, by not agitating your incision sites, getting them wet, or straining them in any way. You don’t want to test your skin elasticity by stretching these, for example, as this can reopen your wounds and cause disfigured scars. Finally, remember that surgical incisions of any kind must be kept clean and dry.
Consider silicone gel for scars.
After nearly any type of surgical procedure that requires incisions and subsequent scars, silicone gel can be helpful. Even for minimal scarring, you can use silicone products to help reduce scar pigmentation, flatten out scars, and help scars fade into the surrounding skin. Most of the time, all other topical treatments are outshone by silicone.
Do keep in mind, however, that if you have facelift scars hairline application of silicone gels can be rather difficult (and will make your hair goopy). Therefore, if you are already satisfied with how well your scars are hidden by your hair, silicone may not even be necessary.
Minimize your exposure to the sun.
Sun exposure can have detrimental effects on the appearance of scars — causing them to become over pigmented and stand out. Even on overcast days, be sure to wear sunscreen (once permitted) and a hat when possible.
Think about laser treatments if necessary.
Even with proper wound care and scar care, if your scar appearance is still unsatisfactory, laser treatments may help. While laser scar treatment won’t eliminate scarring completely, it can take a visible scar and make it less obtrusive.
FAQ: Facelift Scars
Where can I see examples of facelift scars?
Look at facelift before and after photos. For more detailed searches through these photos, consider searching phrases such as, “1 week post op deep plane facelift scars” or “mini facelift scars”. Ideally, you should see that after healing, these scars are barely noticeable.
How much is a facelift?
Facelift surgery can cost several thousand dollars and more, but prices vary. To get an accurate quote on your facelift cost, it is always recommended to book a consultation directly with a qualified plastic surgeon.
Set Up a Consultation with Dr. Mason
Looking for the best facelift surgeon in Las Vegas? Contact us today to set up your one-on-one consultation appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rachel Mason. We look forward to your call!
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/five-common-questions-everyone-has-about-getting-a-facelift