What is the least scarring face lift? Can it all be hidden in the scalp?

There are some surgeons
offering lifting procedures with minimal access incisions, but the only thing
that can be done through those incisions is elevation of the deeper tissues via
sutures. Since tissues are not truly
repositioned but only dragged to a new position, they are totally dependent on
how long the stitches hold. Studies we performed at Northwestern University
indicated that one technique similar in concept gave very short-term results: only
a few months.

Even in patients with a
history of poor scarring and keloid formation, the scars at the visible portion
of the ear (in front) are at the edge of the ear and closed under no tension. They
are virtually never visible after 2 to 3 months, even in men or women who wear
their hair pulled back. The scars behind
the ear are easily hidden, but sometimes in patients who are prone to have pink
and highly visible scars, they do need to be revised. I would suggest you
consult with more than one experienced surgeon and ask to see patient examples
with early scars, as well as scars that have matured. I find that once patients
have seen a number of postoperative photos, they are comfortable with the
scars, which are hidden at the edge of the ear and not visible.

Thank you for your question.   There are many marketing ploys out there claiming to make short scars, invisible scars or even no scars at all for a face lift.   The reality is each surgeon has a different approach, however to perform a face lift you need to make an incision somewhere.   Don't do a face lift or choose your surgeon based on who will make the smallest scar as that may not be the right procedure for you.   Find a board certified plastic surgeon, go in for a consultation and ask to look at before and afters of their work to see the scars.   A face lift is a great operation with a high success rate and the scars typically heal quite well.   Make a good decision overall, not just based on the scars.   Good luck!

All facelift scars are positioned behind the hairline and around the ear's contour.  While it is ideal to have short-incision facelift techniques in terms of experiencing shorter recovery and fewer hidden scars, patients who need the most correction will require a more extensive approach.