Facelifts are one of our most popular Facial Surgeries to dramatically reduce the signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, nasolabial folds and jowls. However, usually a lot of people are nervous about Facelifts – they think that after a Facelift they won’t look like themselves, that the results will look obvious and unnatural, but this is not the case. When it comes to Facelift, it simply enhances what is already there, things like your features and existing bone structure that may have been hidden over time or become less defined (like the jawline for example).
A Facelift works by tightening and elevating the skin, muscles and fat pads in the face – and whenever it comes to facial surgery, if – and where – any scarring will be is always one of the first questions asked. So here is all you need to know about Facelift scars.
Where are Facelift Scars?
Facelifts are intricate procedures and require a delicate approach to ensure that any scarring left will be as hidden as possible.
Nowadays, the incisions made for a Facelift are discrete and finely made. Traditional Facelifts require an incision being made in the natural creases of the face, for example, the fold between the ear and cheek. This line usually follows behind the ear to give the surgeon great visibility to help alter your face’s structure.
For those curious about how Facelift scars are hidden, the incision can also be made along the inner ear, tracing your ear’s natural shape to ensure maximum discretion.
Of course, depending on the type of Facelift you undergo, the place of the incision may change as the technique changes. For example, the scars for a Traditional and Endoscopic Brow Lift differ.
For a Traditional Brow Lift, the incision is made across the hairline and for an Endoscopic Brow Lift, two smaller incisions are made either side of the upper forehead. See the below pictures as reference
Do Facelift scars go away?
Facelift scars do diminish over time and when you’re equipped with our post-surgery aftercare recommendations healing can be very quick.
See below one of our Facelift patient’s scars, one week afterwards versus two weeks afterwards. This is still very early in the healing process and the scarring will be almost undetectable as time goes on.
Here are some tips to ensure your Facelift scars fade fast:
- Apply Dr Yannis’ Dramatic Healing Serum in the morning and night, you can apply this directly to dry skin and on the scar. This will be given to you by our Surgical Team during your first post-op appointment, which is usually around one week after your surgery.
- Use LED light, we have an LED Light Treatment which uses mixed light waves to accelerate the closure of dermal wounds. You can also invest in a hand-held device to use in the comfort of your own home.
- Wearing a silicone gel sheet over the scar (which is a type of clear-coloured plaster) can also help to protect the scar and improve its appearance. This is also a way to hide your scars if you are feeling self-conscious of them.
- When going out, please be sure to always wear SPF as extended sun exposure can cause the skin to pigment – turning darker than usual.
- When showering, do not put your scars under a high-pressure shower head as this can damage or break the incision.
- Gently clean the area daily and once cleansed, apply Dr Yannis’ Dramatic Healing Serum
- Massage the scar: once your stitches have been removed, gently massaging the skin can help to flatten the scars. Scars can look visible if they are raised or lumpy – this is because of new collagen stands growing – so by massaging them this may make them look smoother.
When do Facelift scars fade?
This can depend on factors like age and skin quality, however, if you follow the above advice your scars will heal beautifully.
For more information on Facelift scars, click on the below link.
