Depending on where incisions are placed during a facelift procedure, they can be virtually invisible, or at least well hidden. The face and neck are typically lifted with one procedure which, to me, is one of the best procedures to rejuvenate the mid and lower face. In order to do it effectively, there will be some scars, but we can hide them easily. The benefits of a facelift far outweigh the resulting minor scars by giving you a tighter neck and jawline, lifted cheek fat pads, and more angulation of the face.
Where are the scars from a facelift?
The scars from a facelift can be located in a few different places on the face, but the way I like to do it is by making an incision around the temporal hair tuft. I do this because I don’t like to pull that hair tuft back, which is a tell-tell sign of a facelift, and if this incision is angulated correctly it allows hair to grow through the scar, effectively hiding it.
When it comes to the area in front of the ear, I place the incision behind the tragus for women and in front of the tragus for men. The tragus is that little dangly thing that protrudes over the ear opening. I place my incision in front of it in men because they typically have some type of hair there, whether it be sideburns and/or a beard, and we don’t want to pull that hair into the ear or they’ll be shaving the inside of their ear canal. In women, it won’t matter and so we place the incision behind the tragus.
Next we go around the earlobe without changing its position to the head. Some people have detached earlobes while others have attached earlobes, and we want to keep that intact without changing it. I also try not to change the posterior hairline by pulling it back. If all this is accomplished, it will be very hard for someone to see the scars from a facelift. Patients can wear a ponytail or short hair without the scar being apparent.
How long does it take for facelift scars to fade?
Facelift scars, even though they heal very well, don’t look perfect immediately. If the scar is in front of the ear it looks good very early, but behind the ear takes a little longer. For women, or men, with long hair, I suggest wearing a style that covers the ears a bit for about three to four weeks to about a month. By that time the scar should look quite good and will be difficult to see.
When a facelift is done correctly, we can make it very hard to see any signs once the scar is healed.
I love doing facelifts because the procedure really rejuvenates the face in a wonderful way and it can be done without changing the hair pattern and by making the scars almost unnoticeable. If you want to call me about facelifts or about anything relating to facelift healing and results, I’d love to talk to you about your goals. Call or email me at my office any time. I help patients like you every day and I’d love to see you.
Have questions about facelifts?
Email Dr. Sykes at [email protected]
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Facelift Before & After Photos
About Dr. Jonathan Sykes
Dr. Jonathan Sykes is a world-famous expert plastic surgeon who performs all cosmetic and functional plastic surgery procedures on the face and neck. He is a past president of The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and served on their Board of Directors for over 10 years. He is also a Professor Emeritus in Facial Plastic Surgery from UC Davis Medical Center, and the former Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at that institution.
He is known as the expert’s expert, and is often called to consult and advise other plastic surgeons in both Northern California and Beverly Hills. He has a special interest in eyelid and browlift surgery, facial rejuvenation surgery including facelifts, and rhinoplasty. He also has a particular interest in facial feminization surgery. Have questions? Email Dr.Sykes at: [email protected]
