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Can Facelift Affect Skin Tone?

Will a deep tissue lift or SMAS resection plication affect the skin color or tone and is there any skin bunching around incision site?

Asked 31 months ago by Shayla in Ky in KY
Sort 12 expert answers by:
+1

Skin tone and facelift

Skin bunching should not occur around the incision sites except if there is a dogear at the end of the incision which should settle down. A face lift should have no effect on skin tone or color.
Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS Facelift

The skin tone and color will not change after your face lift surgery has been performed and you have completed the healing process. Bunching should absolutely not be an issue if the skin is properly re draped and trimmed. If you are looking to improve you skin tone and color, you may want to consider: laser resurfacing, chemical peels and/or medical grade skin care products. The Obagi skin care system combined with Tretinoin cream is wonderful... more
Jenifer L. Henderson, MD
Silverdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift and Skin Tone

A facelift will not generally affect skin tone. Most facelift approaches will not result in bunching around the incision but I would certainly bring this concern up with your physician.
D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

A facelift will modestly improve skin tone.

A properly executed facelift will improve skin tone.  There should not be excessive tightening which makes the results unnatural.  Sun damage will not be improved and might benefit from auxiliary treatment (laser, peel, etc.)
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS facelift does not change skin tone and there should be no bunching

Skin tone depends on your genetics and lifestyle.  Good genes, no smoking, good nutrition, sun avoidance will all maximize your skin tone.  A SMAS plication/resection facelift will elevate and tighten the deep tissues of your face so the skin can be smooth over the top of  the improved contour and rejuvente your appearance.  This smoothing of the skin will make your skin tone appear better but the true quality has not changed.  Improved skin tone can be helped... more
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS Facelift and skin tone

A SMAS facelift should have no affect on the quality of the skin tone.  The SMAS lift works on the deepre tissues than just the skin.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift surgery and its effect on the skin

A SMAS or any other type of facelift surgery will not effect the skin tone or skin color. The skin tone and color are functions of the dermis and epidermis, and face lift operations are performed deep to the dermis. Superficial skin treatments such as laser resurfacing, dermabrassion, and peels can have an effect on the skin color and tone. Plastic surgeons often combine facelift surgery with more superficial skin treatments for a more complete rejuvenation of the face.
Maurice M. Khosh, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift generally doesn't affect skin tone

In general, skin tone and color will not be affected by a SMAS facelift technique. Bunching of the skin is also avoidable by proper tailoring and not trying to do too much with a short scar if it is not indicated. The skin itself will be less redundant, but fine wrinkles that remain may have to undergo a resurfacing procedure to restructure and tighten the skin itself (Laser or peel). A naturally done SMAS facelift lifts the deep tissues that have fallen and the native skin redrapes over... more
Sam M Sukkar, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face lifting, recovery from surgery, surgery preparation, SMAS lift, fat transfer

Dear Shayla The color and tone of the skin can be affected by a facelift- but there should not be bunching of the skin (usually as the result of an aver zealous short scar lift). The color of the undermined skin can become more red in patients with Rosecea. The tone of the skin can be improved with pre-operative Sculptra and the use of Fat Grafting or transfer throughout the face in conjuction with the facelift procedure. Also, a peel or lase re-surfacing can be done to improve the... more
Trevor M. Born, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

No it won't.

 Neither the tone or color will change. If done properly there is no bunching. The skin is trimmed in such a way as to prevent this.
Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift and skin tone

Dear Shayla, Several questions which need to be answered individually. 1."Will a deep tissue lift or SMAS resection plication affect the skin color?" - Bruising under the skin may lead to skin darkening. In most people this resolves readily. Some Black patients who respond with Hyperpigmentation to all injuries, may have long lasting darkening of their scars. This is also related to sun exposure (which must be limited with a good sunblock). 2. "Will a deep tissue lift or... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Changes of skin after a facelift

A facelift procedure will "redrape" the skin of the face and the deep layer tightening helps take the tension off skin closure. These procedures do NOT change the tone of the skin. Many plastic surgeons will place you on a skin care program (such as Obagi Nuderm system) that reduces the discoloration, splotches, and obtains a more vibrant skin tone, either before, after or both before and after your surgery. Bunching of skin is not common with a well done facelift. Although is... more
Richard Greco, MD
Savannah Plastic Surgeon
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