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Facelift to Correct Numerous Rolling Acne Scars?
A recent consultation with plastic surgeon suggested a full face lift to correct rolling acne scars. Scarring is quite significant. After doing research on this however, a facelift is not typically recommended as opposed to laser resurfacing. I am 45 and feel that I look appropriate for my age so I'm wondering what the benefits would be to the facelift as opposed to laser and in what order are these procedures done?
Asked 24 months ago by
denise.d in Minnesota
rolling acne scars
+3
Face lift can significantly improve acne scarring
I perform laser skin resurfacing, fraxel laser resurfacing, fat transfers, scar excisions and face lifts for acne scarring treatment.
Not every case is the same, but for patients over 40, I have found that facelifting is one of the most effective treatments for acne scarring.
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3
Facelifts to treat acne scarring
I am going to agree with my colleagues that resurfacing is the treatment of choice for acne scarring. However, there is a limit to resurfacing. If you resurface too deeply, scarring, whiteness and prolonged healing occur.
So what is the next step?
Most acne patients over the age of 45 know when they pull their skin back it looks better. Sometimes a lot better. That is why for the very best result with rolling acne scars, resurfacing plus a facelift are indeed an excellent choice.
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+3
Facelift Not Indicated For Acne Scarring
A Facelift is designed to restore and contour your neck and jawline. The problem in this circumstance is more topographical: irregularities in the skin surface. Resurfacing is and always has been the treatment of choice for this problem. In the circumstance of acne scarring Dermabrasion or fractionated CO2 laser treatment would be my recommendation. On occasion, I will excise ice pick scars followed by later resurfacing treatment (6-8 weeks later).
+2
Facelift for acne scarring.
Traditionally facelifts are considered for signs of aging and not for acne correction. Deep peels and CO2 lasers are usually considered primary treatments for acne scarring.
However, in my experience it depends on the specifics and degree of the acne scarring. If the scarring is more superficial in nature the laser or chemical peel is very helpful. However, for patients with deep "ice pick" type scars that appear to be attached to the underlying tissues no amount...
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Reno Plastic Surgeon
+2
Facelift Not a Good Help for Acne Scars
You are right: a facelift is not likely to help your acne scars.
Laser resurfacing (and dermabrasion) are better techniques for an incremental improvement.
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Acne scars can accelerate facial aging
The supporting layer of the face is the dermis. Acne scars represent weaknesses in this layer. I commonly will see patients who had extensive acne when they were younger and now feel that their scars are worse. Performing a facelift for many of these patients can be of benefit. The facelift can be followed by laser resurfacing or fillers to achieve even more softening of the scars.
Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
Acne and Facelifts
This is always a tough question.I feel it is simple.If a patient has had acne and significant scarring AND has loose skin,ie jowls, a facelift is a good choice.If there is NO loose skin or jowling then I believe skin conditioning programs and some type of resurfacing would be a more prudent choice.
+2
Facelift to correct rolling acne scars
In many patients with acne scars this has caused pleating or folding of the skin, which can only be addressed with a facelift. In such cases, a facelift will provide substantial improvement in the overall appearance. Laser resurfacing may be a good choice if there is no significant looseness of the skin. Also, many patients benefit from having the facelift first, followed by laser resurfacing approximately three months later.
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Laser Resurfacing versus Facelift
Facelift surgery is used to improve laxity in the skin and muscle of the face (particularly the lower face). Facelift does not directly address surface irregularities of the skin. Acne scarring is best treated with combination treatment such as excision of deep scarring followed by laser resurfacing at a later date.
Dr. ES
+2
Facelift and acne scars
A facelift will tighten the skin of the face, and may produce some improvement in the appearance of acne scars. Most often, however, some type of facial resurfacing with dermabrasion or laser is more effective, and may be combined with fillers for the more severe depressions.
+2
Facelift and acne scars
A facelift will not permanently improve acne scarring. It will definitely look better initially because of swelling, but I doubt any long term benefit.
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Face Lift Not First Treatment for Facial Acne Scar
As other plastic surgeons have already stated, face lift surgery may not be the first option to improve the appearance of facial scarring. Face lift tightens skin and pulls on the sides of the face and neck primarily, while acne scarring is generally in the center of the face.
Acne scars are better treated by (1) resurfacing the skin, and (2) adding volume deep into the scar. Skin resurfacing may be performed with chemical peels, lasers, or dermabrasion. Volume enhancement may be...
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+2
Facelifts improve the contour of the face, not the contour of the skin
In your case, your facial volume appears appropriately positioned and you do not seem to have many of the stigmata of a truly aging face. in your situation, the skin itself is the issue, rather than the tissue below it which is sculpted in a face lift. I would recommend a skin treatment such as Dermabrasion rather than the more invasive face lift at this point.
+2
Facelift offers minor improvement
A facelift may improve the appearance of acne scarring. However, it will not correct it. Facelifts tighten the skin and deep tissue layers. Dermabrasion is the technique which improves acne scarring most.
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Facelift May Help Acne Scarring
After looking at your photograph, I don't believe a facelift is the answer to your acne scarring. There are patients whose acne scarring does improve with a facelift but it is only those people with scarring that destroyed sub-cutaneous fat and also have significant tissue laxity.
Sadly, acne scarring has no silver bullet. I am a very ardent proponent of prevention. Too many doctors trivialize their acne patients concerns. Acne scarring is a serious problem...
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+2
Facelift to Treat Acne Scars
Facelift surgery is not the best treatment for acne scarring. Laser surgery with temporary fillers such as Juverderm or more permanent fat grafting are a much better approach. A facelift will remove excess sagging skin, but the improvement in your irregular contour will be short-lived.
+2
Facelifts do not correct acne scars
A facelift will not address your acne scars. Facelifts address jowls, excess sagging skin of the face and neck, while tightening the underlying musculature for facial rejuvenation.
Deep scars would be best treated with dermabrasion, which is a surgical procedure that essentially removes the top layer of skin. As the area heals, new skin is formed. An option to help minimize the severity of scars would be laser treatments.
+2
Many different options; laser, fillers, and facelift can all be effective
You have many different options for improvement. None will completely eliminate your acne scars. Laser resurfacing in combination with fillers is a reasonable first option. You could consider the Fraxel laser for minimal downtime. I do think that a facelift offers significant improvement for your type of acne scars, particularly in combination with fat grafting, and a light laser resurfacing or dermabrasion, all done at the same time.
If you opt for a facelift, you would still later benefit...
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+2
Facelift or laser to treat acne scars
You are correct. Facelifting does not correct texture issues or coloration of the skin. This is best treated with some sort of resurfacing procedure (or IPL for discoloration). In general, we prefer deeper treatments for more severe acne scarring.
Hope this helps.
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2
Facelifts do not correct acne scarring.
Acne scars are treated with a CO2 laser not a lift. A facelift is for sagging skin and will only help minimally. If the scarring bothers you more than extra skin, do the laser first.
+2
How to fix acne scars
Hello - In order to soften the appearance of the scars, I would recommend filling in the scars with Restylane along with resurfacing with a CO2 laser. Before paying for anything, know that it is very difficult to completely eliminate the scars and that most treatments will only soften them and make them less noticeable.
+2
Acne scarring and facelift
Both facelifting and skin resurfacing improve the appearance of acne scarring. You need to understand what each technique will accomplish in order to make the right decision for you.
The inflammation caused by the acne has caused loss of fat and destruction of the dermis or strength layer of the skin. the scar tissue also has tethered the skin at the location of the acne scar. A swe age we lose facial volume and the skin is less elastic. As the skin relaxes the tethered acne scars become...
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+1
Diamond dermabrasion works better.and cheaper
Dr. lesesne here. my experience is that it doesn't siamond dermabrasion which is cheaper,faster,does. good luck
+1
Face lift for acne scars.
A face lift addresses skin laxity especially in the lower one third of the face. This can tighten your face and reduce the appearance of some of your acne scarring. However, by examining your pics...I agree with you. I would recommend a facial resurfacing procedure. This can include laser resurfacing, dermabrasion (not micro-dermabrasion), or a peel. Results can be equivalent using any of these procedures and basically depends on your surgeon's comfort level
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Facelift Versus Laser Resurfacing For Acne Scarring
Denise, in some cases a facelift may benefit a patient with acne scarring by essentially pulling the skin tighter. In doing this the contrast between a depressed acne scar and the surrounding skin becomes less obvious, thus decreasing the visibility of the scars. Looking at the photo you provided, I would probably not recommend a facelift procedure. I would probably opt for one of many available skin resurfacing procedures available out there. This includes laser skin resurfacing, which...
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