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Will Scar from Subcutaneous Forehead Scar Be Noticeable?

asked 2 years ago by nermo in Egypt
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 1,431 times
Tags: forehead, hair, scar

I am going to undergo a subcutaneous forehead lift as I do not want my hairline to go backwards. Will the scar be noticeable or not?

21 answers to Will Scar from Subcutaneous Forehead Scar Be Noticeable?

+2

Forehead lift scars

Every browlift has its plus and minus. There are now "hybrid" procedures which do not involve the typical jagged anterior hairline incisions, and actually remove a section of widow's peak. The scars are almost universally excellent. As in all plastic surgery, there is a huge artistic component beyond the "what procedure do you do"; it is as important as the procedure being chosen who is doing it. Endoscopic browlifts are fraught with several problems. First and most... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+2

Is hairline forehead incision visable?

POSSIBLY IT WILL BE ABLE TO BE DECTED.   Then again a well done hairline incision is usually quite good.  Skin color can be a factor.   Darker skin may have lighter scars and this can show.  People with darker hair are more at risk.  I like this operation and use it frequently but I alway warn patients that sometimes despite best effort the scars are visible no matter what.   Happy Valentines Day
George Commons, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+2

It is the quality if the scar that counts

As Dr. Katz mentioned, the presence of an incision will always lead to a scar. There are no exceptions. The job of a Facial Plastic Surgeon is to place a scar (when possible) in an area where the scar will be minimally visible, and to use techniques which will promote satisfactory wound healing. I believe that your question pertains to browlift procedures. In the presence of a high hairline, I use a technique known as a Tricophytic Brow Lift, which is carried out in an irregular fashion... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Forehead lift scars

Although any scar can potentially be visible, the resulting scar form a well-planned trichophytic hairline incision is typically one of the least visible scars in facial cosmetic surgery.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Forehead lift

There are many ways to perform a brow lift including subcutaneous or subgaleal or subperiosteal. All can cause elevation of the hairline. The position of the hairline is affected by the type of incision used. If the incision is within the hairline, it will move bakwards. To 'lock" the position of the hairline, a hairline incision( border of hair) is used so that the hairline does not go backward. This will leave a permanent scar in front of the hairline. more
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hairline scar for browlift

Yes, a subcutaneous brow lift will leave a scar at your hairline.  If well done, the scar will not be very noticeable.  If you wear bangs, then the scar will be covered.  A properly performed endoscopic brow lift does not really elevate the hairline except slightly in the temple area so this may be an option for you.  The only possible advantage to a subcutaneous brow lift is the possibility of slightly lowering the hairline if it is very high.
Jeffrey E. Kyllo, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Subcutaneous Forehead Lift

For patients who are concerned that the hairline not be moved more superior, a  forehead lift with the incision placed in or just slightly behind the hairline is often a great option.  Properly constructed, such wounds usually heal up to a point that they are hard to detect. Naturally,  individual patient features effect wound healing, so patient and surgeon must discuss this carefully. Patients need to know that the incision will often be quite noticeable for the first... more
Mark J. Lucarelli, MD

Madison Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Forehead lift

The scar will be noticeable.  For that reason, I choose to do endoscopic forehead lifts on patients.  This is done through 3 small incisions in the hairline.  This lift will last a lifetime.  A subcutaneous lift will not, as it relies on skin to maintain the lift which has already weakened.
Samer W. Cabbabe, MD

Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hairline incisions are usually undetectable when healed

While all hairline incisions are pink at first, they generally heal into a fine, light line when fully healed. The best candidates for hairline incisions are patients with dense, stiff frontal hair that leans slightly "forward".   When committing to a hairline incision, however, I would generally choose a subgaleal (rather than subcutaneous) lift, for greater durability.   Best,   Mike Nayak
Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD

Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Noticable hairline incision

A skilled surgeon should be able to design an incision that is almost not noticeable. This involves using a technique that allows hair to grow through the scar and by making the incision a little irregular so it is not a straight line. Occasional temporary hair loss may happen around the incision but does improve over time.
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hairline (Pretrichial) Browlift Usually Leaves A Good Scar

The subcutaneous type of browlift to which you refer is better known as a pretrichial or hairline browlift. Its main advantage is to the one to which you refer...it does not move back one's hairline as the brows are lifted. While that is a very appealing feature, the potential scar is also a very important consideration. In someone with a good frontal hairline density and pattern, that scar can look very good and only be visible on very close inspection as a very whitish line. T more
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Done properly, this scar is not noticeable in a woman

Done properly, this scar will not be noticeable, unless there is male pattern baldness afterwards.  Sometimes, when people emerge from a swimming pool, the hair can part in an unnatural way at the old scars.  If oriented the correct way, even this can be minimized.
Navin K. Singh, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

Subcutaneous forehead lift scars may not be noticeable

Patients today have many good options to alter the shape and position of their forehead and eyebrows. One good option is the subcutaneous forehead lift done in the temporal position. During this procedure, patients received a 2 1/2 to 3 cm car that is behind their hairline. This allows for access and a change in the position of their brows with a well hidden scar. Your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience and brow lift surgery and... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Subcutaneous Forehead Lift

The subcutaneous forehead lift is for patients with a high hairline. In this surgery an incision is made just along the hairline, the forehead tissue is lifted off of the muscle to the brows, elevated, the excess cut off and the incision is closed. Good scars are the direct result of tension. Thus if too much tissue is removed and there is a lot of tension on the skin at the incision it will widen over time. Often surgeons, in an attempt to get the "greatest lift", will cut... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars from a subcutaneous browlift are usually behind the hairline and not noticeable.

A subcutaneous forehead life is usually for minimal brow ptosis (droopiness) and can be done through limited incisions behind the hairline that do not significantly alter the hairline. You must be a candidate for that specific operation. If brow ptosis is significant, a more agressive operation might be needed and you should be asking questions germane to that.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hairline Incisions

Many years ago we described a technique where the incision is made in the hairline (trichophytic), not in front of the hairline (pre-trichial). With the trichophytic incision hair will grow through and in front of the incision, and the surgeon can control the hairline position.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pretrichal forehead lift incision visibility: techniques to diminish scar

This is difficult to predict. Certain techninques such as a beveled incision and irregular broken line pattern may diminish the visibility of the scar. In the event of  a bad scar, you may undergo skin needling to diminish the prominence of the scar.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Forehead lift with hidden scars

There are two components to your question: the first is how to achieve the best looking scar/incision. The second is how to do a browlift without changing the hairline. The subcutaneous browlift is certainly one approach, and in order to prevent pulling the hairline back, the incision is usually placed at the junction between the hair-bearing scalp and the forehead. This should keep your hairline at its current position. In addition, this incision tends to heal very well and become hard... more
Shahram Salemy, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pre-hairline Incisions Can Heal Very Nicely...

Pre-ahirline incisions can heal very nicely if done properly. You should make sure your surgeon has a lot of experience with the "trichophytic technique" which insures that hair will actually grow in front of the incision. This is the key. Additionally we rarely extend our incisions into the temporal area although others still do. In our opinion little is gained from this extension and there is a possibility that thinning of the hair in front of the incision can occur! more
S. Randolph Waldman, MD

Lexington Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Extremely improbable that the scar your doctor is proposing won't be visible

Dear Nermo You have to understand that a we surgeons believe that whatever we do is great. This includes hiding scars in plain sight. I will flat out tell you without knowing your surgeon that he absolutely believes that your hairline scar will be perfectly hidden. I am also here to tell you that with perhaps a rare exception, these scars never quite work out as well as initially described. It is true that a well-designed beveled incision through the edge of the hair line will permit hair... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

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