The fear of visible scarring is one of the most common worries that prevent men and women from having cosmetic surgery. While some scarring is unavoidable when surgical incisions are required, remarkable breakthroughs in science and technology have now made it possible for many cosmetic surgery scars to be almost undetectable after healing. Furthermore, your surgeon’s ability to position the incisions correctly when creating them can help hide your scars or in some cases completely cover them.
It’s normal for facelift patients to be concerned about scarring on one of the most visible parts of their bodies. However, you might be surprised to learn that when a professional plastic surgeon performs the procedure and the patient follows the aftercare instructions, facelift scars are rarely visible.
Generally, a facelift procedure works like this: The surgeon will make an incision near the hairline that goes from the temple to the base of the scalp, passing in front of and around the ear. A second incision beneath the chin may be made for patients who have significant issues about a drooping neck or double chin. The surgeon will then strategically redistribute fat, tighten muscle layers, remove excess skin, and redrape the skin over the newly shaped face. Finally, sutures will be used to close the incisions.
Facelift Incisions
Facelift incisions are typically made in less visible parts of the face, such as the hairline and around the ear, where they can be easily hidden or concealed within the natural lines and contours of the face. Patients are frequently unable to recognize their facelift scars once they have healed!
Your facelift scars may take several months to fade from dark red to a color that mixes in well with your skin tone. Patients must follow their surgeon’s instructions to ensure that the healing process is as efficient and successful as possible. For faster healing of your scars:
- You should stop smoking.
- You should apply sunscreen to your skin.
- Avoid sun exposure.
- Keep your skin hydrated.
- Eat well and drink lots of water.
If scars have kept you from having a life-changing facial rejuvenation surgery, be assured that facelift scars are not as visible or as frightening as you once imagined.
Top Clinic’s outstanding staff of board-certified plastic surgeons performs hundreds of facelift surgeries each year and takes great care to minimize the risk of visible scarring. To learn more about facelifts, including what kind of scarring to expect and how to ensure that your scars heal and fade in the most visually pleasing way possible, contact our consultants for free.