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.

Scarring after a facelift procedure is a common concern for many people, but the truth of the matter is that because it is a surgical procedure, some scarring will be necessary in order to achieve the dramatic results you want. However, a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon should be able to carefully place each incision in such a way that they will be virtually unnoticeable and hidden. Typically, facelift scars are placed behind the ears or near the hairline of the forehead, where they can be easily camouflaged. I would suggest consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to address these concerns and get a better idea of the quality of results you can expect.

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!