Can Facelift Affect Skin Tone?

It is possible to have skin color or skin tone changes after a facelift. This is would be very rare. Normally, a properly performed SMAS lift will give the appearance of better skin tone due to the tightening of the skin and underlying muscle layer, but skin tone itself is not affected. Skin tone can be improved through other means such as laser resurfacing, a good skin care regimen, proper use of sunscreen, and a good diet. As for bunching around the incision site, this should not happen if the skin was draped properly. I hope this helps.

A facelift procedure should not affect the skin tone or color. Bruising after a facelift is common and typically lasts two weeks. Excess skin is removed from the face during a facelift procedure by using an incision placed in front, and behind, the ear. There is no visible bunching of the skin after a facelift procedure.

The SMAS component of the facelift is performed deep underneath the skin and really has no bearing on the skin itself other than to tighten the skin after the facial layers are tightened.  It will tighten the skin, but should not give any differential color tone to the skin itself.  Manipulating the skin can cause telangiectasias, bruising, and hemosiderin deposits that can give a slightly darkening color to the skin.  Necrotic areas of the skin can result in hypopigmented areas along the incision site if the skin is pulled too tight.  For results of SMAS facelifts, please see our facelift photo gallery located on our web site.