Scars

Facelift surgeries are growing in popularity by the day. As people age, the skin on their face becomes loose and sags, especially around the cheeks and jowls. This is easily corrected through cosmetic facelift surgery.

A facelift is a procedure that is carried out to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck. It is generally done to improve the physical appearance of the face. However, some people have concerns about getting scars after the surgery. In this post, 5 common FAQs about Facelift scars will be answered.

Will a facelift cause scars?

A facelift procedure is done to improve the visible signs of ageing on a person’s face. Hence, facelift procedures involve making incisions on the face to tighten facial muscles and remove excess skin; fat in the face and neck may also be removed or moved.

As a result, the formation of scars is inevitable. After a facelift, you can expect bruises and swellings as a result of the incisions, but these heal after some weeks. Note that the kind of scars formed varies from one person to another and it also varies based on the type of surgery performed.

Are the scars from a facelift visible?

Facelift scars are generally designed to be inconspicuous once healed. The incisions are made near the temples, in front and behind the ears. Most surgeons try to hide the incisions in the hairline to make them less visible.

If you get a mini facelift, the scars will be shorter and hidden along the crease in front of your ears. Other types of facelift are deep plane facelift that leaves scars that are located in front of your ears, along your hairline and SMAS Facelift which causes scars both in front and behind the ears. The scars are also along the hairline and based on the surgeon involved, an incision may be made under your chin, too.

How can I hide the scars from a facelift?

Facelift incisions are done in areas of the face that are hidden. However, after the surgery, you may decide to conceal your incision scars. Most people may opt for light makeup to conceal the appearance of scarring during the healing process. Also, hair styling options after the surgery can keep the scars hidden.

Facelift scars generally heal quite nicely in most cases, except there are complications. If your surgery is performed by a qualified doctor, your incisions will be well hidden along natural creases on the face once healed.

Do facelift scars go away?

Facelift scars typically heal after a period of 6 months. While the scars do not disappear entirely, they can fade overtime and become unnoticeable. This may take up to a year, depending on the type of facelift surgery and the skin of the patient.

After the surgery, you will be given instructions on how to take care of the incisions made and the bruises that resulted from it. Paying attention to your aftercare instructions can influence how well your scars heal and fade off overtime.

However, it is important to note that there are other factors that affect how fast your healing process will be and how fade your scars will become. Factors like your age, the condition of your skin and your body’s healing capacity all have an effect on the scars.

Can I have more than one facelift?

Yes! Unless advised by your doctor, there is no limitation to the number of facelifts you can get. But it is not advisable to get too many facelifts as it makes your face appear “worked on”. The natural look that the facelift procedure works to achieve will be lost if the procedure is repeated many times.

A facelift procedure usually lasts for about 10-15 years. But this varies based on the original procedure carried out and the quality of a person’s skin. A second facelift is, most times, done to retouch the results from the last time. The outcome of a facelift can be made to last longer by following your doctor’s aftercare instructions.

However, if you decide to get a second facelift, you need to discuss with your doctor about the risks involved and the expected outcome. Your doctor may ask you different questions such as why you want to get a second facelift and what result you expect to get.

These questions are important to determine if a second facelift procedure will be healthy and safe for the patient. For older people, their aging skin may not be able to support another facelift procedure. There may also be other health factors involved for older people. Be sure to discuss extensively with your doctor before getting another facelift.