Is a 1" Crease-fold Normal After Neck and Face Lift (photo)?

Your healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). When the skin is separated from the underlying tissues during surgery, small sensory #nerves are cut. Varying degrees of numbness will be present after surgery and will improve gradually as the nerves reconnect to the skin. This process can take from 2-6 months for face, neck and cheeks, and to 9-12 months for the forehead and scalp. Muscle weakness may also be present around the mouth especially if liposuction is used. This typically recovers fully in the months after surgery. 

As the nerves regenerate, the itching, burning, tingling and shooting #sensations will occur. Ice, moisturizers and gentle #massaging are helpful during this phase of the #healing process. Frequently there is a tight feeling in the neck, jawline and cheek after a facelift. During surgery, not only the skin but the underlying muscles are tightened to create a better and longer lasting result. Additionally, the #swelling will move downward in the first week and the neck will feel even tighter. Do not be alarmed: the sensation will decrease during the first month. 

Some degree of firmness or lumpiness under the skin is normal after surgery and will resolve with time. Local #massage of the areas may accelerate the resolution of this problem, which normally takes 2-4 months to disappear completely.The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply. The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen. If you have certain concerns about the procedures and #healing process, it is recommended to call your board-certified surgeon or their medical staff and discuss those #concerns.

  The creases do represent a gathering of skin, and these areas should improve with time over the next few months.  The more lax your skin was prior to surgery the more likely to get these folds.

Dear Lynda,


the one on the right looks like swelling and should improve

the one on the left may need an additional procedure to remove the pleat

Please bring this up with your plastic surgeon so he/she is aware


Best regards,

Nima Shemirani

Yoar face lift. The smaller pleats will improve significantly. you have "pleats from poorly excuted short scar face lift.

The smaller pleats will resove to a great extend. The large pleat will not go away and will need revision. At that time you may end up with a scar from the back of the ear to the hair line. Will involve reopening the scar behid the ear extend the scar into the hair line and widely undermine the skin under the ear and behind the ear.

Thanks for posting the detailed photos they really demonstrate the problems with a Short Scar Facelift, LifeStyle Lift, micro Mini FaceLift. I agree with Dr Rand. And as Dr D Ralph Millard taught, "you can not take from Peter to give to Paul". You had a Short Scar FaceLift whether you fully understood the theory and techniques is another issue. By decreasing the incision lengths and limiting the undermining of the skin flap, especially in the post auricular aesthetic zone you are forcing these "folds" or wrinkles. Over time and with intense massages and/or external ultrasound therapy they "should" improve. But not in every case and the resultant pull effect is diminished. I have a few questions for you if you would care to respond: Was your surgeon a boarded PS? Did you have offered a more extensive facelifting technique/s? Where the possible effects outlined in your pre operative discussions/consenting? Please after a few more months of healing give us follow up on this fold issue Thanks and good luck. 

What you see seems to be present on both sides.  It looks like a fold of skin created by trying to keep the incision shorter.  Ask your doctor what this is and to reassure you that it is normal for their patients the way they do the surgery and that it will resolve.  I have not personally seen anything like it though.