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Scars for Second Facelift

asked 1 year ago by almost50
Latest answer by Jaime Perez MD
Question viewed 694 times
Tags: scar

Hello, Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my question. I would like to have a second facelift and I'm wondering if it's possible to use the same area (scars) for incisions? My concern is that with age my hair seems to be thinning quite a bit and I'm worried about losing more hair where new incisions would be made. Question 2... is it at all possible to do a mid FL without incisions behind the ear? Thanks again, you guys are great!

28 answers to Scars for Second Facelift

+2

Scars for secondary facelift- how to minimize

Not only is it possible to use the existing scars for a secondary facelift, it is almost always possible to improve them vastly. The change in direction of pull can yield a less pulled look.  The "high on the side" or Nike swoop look can be reversed. Reconstructing the earlobe and tragus can hide scars and yield a more relaxed look- despite things being rejuvenated. Hairlines in the temple and posterior ear region can be greatly impvored as well. Brows can be... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+1

Scars after First Facelift

If the scars from your first facelift were properly positioned make incisions in the same location for the second facelift; if not, hopefully they can be removed with the next procedure. Otherwise the existing scars will always be present, even if the hair recedes. Incisions are not made behind the ears for a mid-face or cheek lift.   
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

+2

Scars for a Second Facelift

Incision placement is a very important aspect of Facelift surgery, so the question is a very good one.  The answer is that good Facelift Surgeons will place incisions in the least conspicuous location possible and avoid excessive skin tension.  Excess skin tension can lead to widening or migration of scars from the planned location.  Poor incision placement is sometimes correctable and sometimes not.  Therefore, the answer depends on whether the incision placement was... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

+1

Redo Facelift Scars

Yes, it is possible to use your previous face lift scars if you have a revision or redo facelift. Depending on the type of face lift you had before (mini face lift, mid face lift, full face lift), and the type of redo facelift you require, your plastic surgeon may need to use the entire length of the previous incision or just a portion. A mid face lift or cheek lift can usually be performed through the incisions in front of the ear and do not require incisions behind the ear. The... more
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Redo facelift

A facelift can be redone using the same incisions.  The incisions can be modified to avoid loss of the hairline as well.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Re-do facelifts re-do the scars

To re-do a facelift, in most cases your old scars will be removed and re-done.  By the right doctor and not under too much tension, they might be even better than the first time.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mid facelift can be done without incisions behind ear and a secondary facelift can be done through old scars

Typically a secondary facelift is done by placeing incisions just behind the old facelift scars so that the old facelift scars are removed.   A mid face lift can be done through incisions inside the front hairline and only the incsions in front of the ear. There is no need to make an incision behind the ear to do a mid facelift
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Secondary facelift scars can be well hidden

The scars from your first facelft, as long as they were placed in the appropriate position, can usually be removed during the secondary facelift.  This would leave you with a single new scar which should be very well hidden in the normal creases and contours of the face and ear.  To avoid pulling your hairline / sideburn backward, the incision can be placed in front of the hairline.  As long as this incision is closed meticulously it should be barely noticable.  The... more
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Yes it could be done

It is hard to say 100%. Generally, a mid face suspension or lift during a secondary facelift could be done with anterior scars only. I try to hide the scars behind the old ones by removing the old ones. It will curve the front of your upper ear border, go inside the tragus cartilage and then step anterior to the lobule. If the neck is good, you could have a nice result.
Luis A. Vinas, MD

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

What to do with a secondary facelift incision.

Good question:  During your secondary facelift similar patterns of incision are made. This helps to remove the old scars and possibly improve them. In regard to just doing a mid facelift without neck lift, it is possible. I would recommend you to talk to your surgeon. He or she can assess your facial anatomy and decide what approach is best for you.
Kevin Sadati, DO

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Secondary facelift and scars

Secondary facelifts are usually performed using the same incisions or changing them to be more hidden, if need be.  The one caveat for a re-do facelift is the strong probability that the sideburn will be taken higher, thus giving a somewhat bizarre, aged look.  I suggest to my patients that we change the scar to go in front of the hairline/sideburn so as not to produce this deformity.  Performed correctly, and meticulously, these scars heal and fade extremely well. more
Ricardo Izquierdo, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Second facelift and scars

The scars for the secondary facelift can encompass the old scars. It is important to note where the previous scars are. Many times on revision secondary facelifts we end up placing a preauricular incision into a postauricular incision. We also remove old scars and place the incision at the hairline so as not to remove any hair bearing skin when tightening the skin itself. Because of this technique, the hairline will not shift upwards or backwards from its current position. We do... more
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+1

Options for a second facelift

For second facelifts, the previously made incisions are great.  However, your hairline will be pulled back more as you mentioned.  For patients with severely noticeable thinning hair or a hairline that has been pulled back to far, a hair tranplant is great for this.  Concerning the incisions behind your ears, they will most likely need to be used in order to get a smooth contour to your neck and lower face.  However, a second facelift usually involves less blood loss... more
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial Incision for Second Face Lift to Reduce Scars

Hi almost50, The benefit of cosmetic surgery of the face and neck should outweigh the risks. Everyone who has surgery will have a scar where the incision was placed. Even the best face lifts by top plastic surgeons will have visible scars, if one looks close enough. Fortunately, most face lift scars are inconspicuous. Regardless of a plastic surgeon's specific face lift or neck lift technique (SMAS lift, MACS, deep plane lift, mini lift, full face, etc), all face lift incisions... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.potomacplasticsurgery.com

+1

It is usually possible to use existing facelift scars for second facelift

There is usually no reason to create new scars for a revision facelift. Further, if someone has bad scars from a previous facelift procedure, it is usually possible to remove those scars and give the patient better scars following revision facelift. Midface lift usually involves incisions behind the hairline in the temple and possibly inside the mouth, under the upper lip.
Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.lonetreefacial.com

+1

Facelift Scars

Of course it is desirable to use or even improve upon existing scars during your second facelift. I typically would not add additional or second scars if your scars are typical facelift scars around your ears and in front of or within your hairline. The goal is always to preserve your hairline and existing hair follicles to minimize additional thinning. Sometimes I can considerably improve the scars and the hairline in a secondary surgery. As for a midface lift, there are different... more
Hayley Brown MD

Henderson Plastic Surgeon
+1

Second Facelift Incisions

Skin incision for a second facelift will generally use the same incision or move it to better hide it. Sometimes, if the first incision raised your side-burn, the new incision will be below the side-burn to prevent further elevation. This is not the main thing you need to ask, however. Once the incision is made, the skin must be elevated and the underlying tissues moved. This is frequently difficult and can risk injury to underlying structures like the facial nerve that controls facial... more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Second facelift

Yes you can use the same incisions for the second facelift that you used for the first. A midface lift can be accomplished through and intraoral approach or via the subciliary (under the eyelid) approach. 
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Second Facelift

A second facelift incisions are usually placed in the same areas as the first facelift.  If your hair is thinning then the incisions may be placed in front of the hairline or you can have hair transplants to increase your hair's density.  If you need a midface lift then this accomplished through an incision in your lower eyelid.  You need to visit several board certified plastic surgeons to for a consult. Dr.ES
Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

At 50 and having had a prior lift, you may not need a second lift yet.

If you are only 50 and had a prior good lift, you could be touched up with a combination of fillers and Laser shrink of your tacial tissues.  We now in many of our patients are either defering or avoiding the second lift by combining long lasting fillers such Radiesse or Sculptra with a Full Face Mixto Shrink.  This often creates a better result than just pulling again on tissues that have lost elasticity. A  major bonus is that it is less expensive than another lift and in... more
Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars for Second Facelift

Totally agree with Dr Mayer. You can have the secondary mid face lift without incisions behind the ears. But you did not post photos so we all could be incorrect. That is why seeing the boarded surgeon in person is best. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Yes, old facelift scars can be removed and not thin the hair.

Old face lift scars can and should be removed with a second facelift and the incision can be placed "inside" the ear instead of in front of it. A midface lift can be done with the incision in the eyelid crease. See an experienced facelift surgeon for the best results. We never make the incisions into the hair and never remove any hair in facelifting. There are techniques we developed for avoiding this, i.e., The Irregular Trichophytic Hairline Forehead Lift.
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift incisions

Yes, I definitely try and use the "old" facelift scars. It does not make sense to make new ones. Yes, just a neck lift can be done by using only that portion of the scars that goes from the tip of the ear around the back of the ear and into the hair. I have used the hair that I remove from a face and/or necklift and placed mini hairgrafts. I try not to "waste" any good tissue and use what I remove to accent areas that need improvement! see video
Edward J. Domanskis, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars for second facelift can improve the scar from the first

Just as with a first facelift, the incision and approach used will be determined by where the laxity has recurred, and can be planned to improve areas of a prior facelift scar that haven't done well over the years. The second facelift will most often spair the side burn area as it has long been recognized that hair loss in the side burn and temple is a frequent concern. It may be necessary as well through the second lift to improve and raise the scar behind the ear, and also repair any... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

The incisions and how they are handled are among the most important of facelift details.

Dear Almost 50 Typically the old scars are revised with the aim of hiding then.  Facelift at one time always included what is called an omega incision around the ears.  This is a scar that follows the sideburn hair tuft, goes around the ear lobe, then behind the ear and either finishes along the hairline behind the ear or alternatively finishes in the hair behind the ear.  This are very helpful when a great deal of skin needs to be taken out of the neck.  However, for... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Short scar facelift may be your best choise for second facelift

Newer facelift techniques can minimize scarring and eliminate the need for a scar behind the ear.  These techniques are called short scar facelifts, MACS lifts, and other names.  They are especially useful to provide a more verticle direction to the lift instead of pulling the skin back towards the ears.
Daryl K. Hoffman, MD

Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon
+1

Revision facelift

Hi.  You already have gotten two great responses which I agree with.  The existing scars can be used, but it even be possible and better to improve on them, along with the earlobe/ears position.  The tension from the lift is placed on the underlying muscle, not the skin, thereby giving a more natural (not pulled) appearance. Good luck.
Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Incisions

Thanks "Almost50"! Great question...the short answer is yes. Scars for a Facelift can be strategically placed behind the ear, hidden in the ear groove. This technique, occasionally described as the Short scar FL, works well, but depends on your anatomy and and where your previous scars reside. With respect to your thinning hair line, your scar can also be modified to sweep in-front of your hairline or within the hair line depending on 1) the quality of hair growth (thinning or... more
John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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