Most people who undergo facelifts are hoping for an improved appearance after their plastic surgery procedures. They may have wrinkles, jaw line fullness or lines caused by aging that they want to go away. A facelift requires incisions to allow the surgeon to lift and tighten the skin for a fresher, younger appearance. As with most types of invasive surgery, a scar forms. The visibility of the scar depends on where it is located and how well the skin heals.
Incision Placement
Proper location of the facelift incision can make it less noticeable. For example, positioning the incision in front of the ear can result in a visible scar that is difficult to hide. The alternative is to place the incision behind the tragus, which naturally sticks out, or behind the ear altogether. In cases where the facelift scar is in front of the ear, a prominent line can cause embarrassment and self-consciousness. The same is true for a scar along the hairline. It may be intended to be covered by hair, but can become thick and visible. Even scars that aren’t noticeable to the general public can be minimized with special care to take on a smooth, softer appearance before they eventually disappear. A silicone scar gel such as Scarfade can be used on facelift scars after the surgical incision has healed to help achieve a more flawless complexion.
Scar Revision
Some facelift scars appear thick, inflamed and develop a red or purple pigment. These types of facial scars are good candidates for scar revision surgery. A plastic surgeon can remove wide or prominent scars and change the lines to help them blend in less noticeably. After scar revision surgery, scar fading gel can be used to help the revision lines fade and disappear.
3 Tips for Minimizing Facelift Scars
There are a number of steps that can be taken to minimize facelift scars, whether they are from the original plastic surgery procedure or a scar revision.
1. Use silicone gel or sheeting to prevent collagen build-up in the newly forming skin as it forms a bridge from one side of the incision to the other.
2. Stay hydrated to help the skin and scars heal better.
3. Avoid the sun. Stay inside, wear a hat, use an umbrella, seek the shade and use sunscreen.