Facelift Series: Facelift Incisions
When we talk with patients about facelifts, one of the biggest concerns is scarring. Where will my incisions be placed? Will I have scarring? As some of the top plastic surgeons in Austin, Texas, we perform hundreds of facelifts and understand your concerns. We’ve prepared this guide to help you understand a little more about facelift incisions and scars. Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.
Where Are Facelift Incisions Located?
Facelift locations are strategically placed to camouflage and hide any scarring while providing an effective lift. One incision is made just inside the hairline, beginning in the temple, extending around the natural curve of the ear, moving under and behind the ear, and finally, back into the hairline. Some patients may need a small incision beneath the chin for the neck portion of the facelift. The length and size of your incisions will vary, depending on your unique anatomy and the amount of excess skin present.
I’ve Heard About a Short Scar Facelift. Do You Recommend this Treatment?
Many patients come in and ask for a “Short Scar Facelift”. At Restora Austin Plastic Surgery Centre, we’ve had the chance to meet with several unsatisfied patients that received this type of procedure elsewhere. Short scar procedures are typically performed by non-plastic surgeons with little training in proper facelift techniques. They limit access to the deeper layers of tissue. If deep tissue isn’t treated properly, results won’t last. Short scar procedures also require that skin be gathered up rather than being smoothly excised. A longer, well concealed scar, will lead to better results than a short scar facelift with lots of “pleating” of the incision. Be equally wary of “facelift” procedures that don’t require an incision like “thread lifts” and “suture lifts”.
Incisions to Scars- How Long Does It Take and How Noticeable Will My Scars Be?
Your incisions will go through many changes in the weeks and months after surgery. Your incisions will initially be more visible and will fade with time. Your incisions will start out red and tender. We’ll remove stitches after a week or may use dissolvable stitches that don’t require removal. Your incisions will become flatter, softer, and less visible over the next several weeks and months. Fully mature scars are generally thin, white, and flat, often not immediately visible as they blend in with the rest of your skin. Full healing takes about a year, although your incisions should be barely visible well before then. Following your after-care instructions and using sunscreen faithfully will improve your end results.
To achieve stunning facelift results, we will need to make some incisions, but great care is taken to minimize scarring and to ensure a natural looking result. Call today and schedule your facelift consultation at Restora Austin Plastic Surgery Centre.
