Is a short scar Facelift long lasting? Does it address the underlying muscles and what areas of the face does it address?

Thank you for your question. Short scar facelifts in most situations do address the underlying SMAS or muscle layer.  This results in a long lasting result.  The length of the scar does not impact the longevity of the procedure.  Best wishes.

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Scars from a properly executed facelift are almost invisible. Since excess skin is a common component of facial aging they are required to properly execute the operation.

Depends.The term short scar facelift like any other "catchy" named for a facelift or minilift are merely marketing terms and mean different things to different surgeons.The best route is to ask exactly the technique being used and what is being done with the SMAS layer.  The best facelifts, in my opinion, tighten the muscle but tighten them by using a deep plane technique.  Additional questions should also focus on the length of the "scar'".  Although short sounds great and less "major" it can often leave skin puckering, distortions and may not be in your best interest.The link below offers more information about facelifts.I hope this helps.

A short scar lift can be as effective as a standard face lift depending on what is done under the skin layer. The short scar is the result of the skin incision which is from the temple area to or slightly behind the earlobes. This operation which is also called an S lift is only possible if the skin excess is mostly under the chin and a vertical lift is necessary to address that skin excess. I would not confuse this with a mini lift because a short scar lift can be as big a surgery as the standard lift with the only difference being the length of the scar. I do this operation in about 20 to 30 percent of my face lifts depending on what the patient needs. Don't go to the surgeon who says he only does a short scar lift because this means he is not individualizing the procedure to the need of the patient.

All facelifts are permanent, but one keeps getting older. Many facelift patients wait years before considering another facelift or neck lift. A short-scar facelift , MACS lifts, s lift, or mini lift can be appropriate for many individuals with mild skin sagging. All these facelift terms are essentially very similar. A facelift should address the underlying muscle and fat, including a short-scar facelift. However, a mini lift or short-scar facelift may not be appropriate for all patients. The best facelift plastic surgeons tailor the cosmetic surgery to the anatomy and personal goals of each person. Speak with a facelift plastic surgeon to help determine appropriate options for you.Best,Dr. Chaboki

Thank you for your question!! The short scar facelift can be a very confusing term.  It only describes the length of the facelift scar and really does not have anything to do with what's performed under the skin.  It depends on each surgeon's technique with regard to deep tissue manipulation aside from the scar.  Some surgeons perform a skin only facelift technique, others focus on the manipulation of the underlying SMAS tissue.  A short scar facelift can be very effective in the right patient and the deep tissue can be manipulated very extensively.  It too can be quite long lasting.  It primarily affects the jowl region, the cheek region, with some improvement in the neck as well.  This technique can also incorporate an incision under the chin to focus further on the neck bands possibly. 

A short scar facelift is just that, a facelift through a short incision. What makes a facelift last is how the underlying muscle, the SMAS is treated. In a young patient, a few stitches may be enough to pull the muscle back sufficiently. This what I call a "mini-lift." For an older patient, a deep plane or smaesectomy procedure will give a longer lasting result.

Short scar facelift is a mini lift and does not address the neck. It depends then on if you need neck work or not. If you have neck cords then u would get a better result from a full facelift. The skin that is removed resets the clock but does not stop it!

A short scar facelift can be a lasting procedure.  It focuses on repositioning the muscles that contribute to "jowling" and cheek descent.  In my opinion is not as powerful a procedure in there is significant neck laxity.  The incision is basically the same except is is shorter.Earl Stephenson, Jr, MD, DDS,FACS