Can Facelift Affect Skin Tone?

Question

Will a deep tissue lift or SMAS resection plication affect the skin color or tone and is there any skin bunching around incision site?

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

It is possible to have skin color or skin tone changes after a facelift.  This is would be very rare. Normally, a properly performed SMAS lift will give the appearance of better skin tone due to the tightening of the skin and underlying muscle layer, but skin tone itself is not affected. Skin tone can be improved through other means such as laser resurfacing, a good skin care regimen, proper use of sunscreen, and a good diet. As for bunching around the incision site, this should not happen if the skin was draped properly. I hope this helps.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

A facelift procedure should not affect the skin tone or color. Bruising after a facelift is common and typically lasts two weeks. Excess skin is removed from the face during a facelift procedure by using an incision placed in front, and behind, the ear. There is no visible bunching of the skin after a facelift procedure.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

A properly executed facelift will improve skin tone. There should not be excessive tightening which makes the results unnatural. Sun damage will not be improved and might benefit from auxiliary treatment (laser, peel, etc.)

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Skin tone depends on your genetics and lifestyle. Good genes, no smoking, good nutrition, sun avoidance will all maximize your skin tone. A SMAS plication/resection facelift will elevate and tighten the deep tissues of your face so the skin can be smooth over the top of the improved contour and rejuvente your appearance. This smoothing of the skin will make your skin tone appear better but the true quality has not changed. Improved skin tone can be helped with a good skin care program, chemical peels, laser treatments or Retin - A cream. Done correctly, with proper tailoring of the skin, there should be no bunching of the skin where the incisions are. This may occur if one tries to do a short scar lift on a patient needing more skin resection.

Sam M. Sukkar, MD · Answer

In general, skin tone and color will not be affected by a SMAS facelift technique. Bunching of the skin is also avoidable by proper tailoring and not trying to do too much with a short scar if it is not indicated. The skin itself will be less redundant, but fine wrinkles that remain may have to undergo a resurfacing procedure to restructure and tighten the skin itself (Laser or peel). 
A naturally done SMAS facelift lifts the deep tissues that have fallen and the native skin redrapes over the new contour.
The 4 modalities I use to improve the face are lifting (facelift), skin resurfacing (peels), injectable volume (fat), injectable paralytics (Botox).

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear Shayla
The color and tone of the skin can be affected by a facelift- but there should not be bunching of the skin (usually as the result of an aver zealous short scar lift).
The color of the undermined skin can become more red in patients with Rosecea. The tone of the skin can be improved with pre-operative Sculptra and the use of Fat Grafting or transfer throughout the face in conjuction with the facelift procedure.
Also, a peel or lase re-surfacing can be done to improve the appearance of the skin.
Wtih Warm Regards,
Trevor M Born MD

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Neither the tone or color will change. If done properly there is no bunching. The skin is trimmed in such a way as to prevent this.

Richard Greco, MD · Answer

A facelift procedure will "redrape" the skin of the face and the deep layer tightening helps take the tension off skin closure. These procedures do NOT change the tone of the skin.  Many plastic surgeons will place you on  a skin care program (such as Obagi Nuderm system) that reduces the discoloration, splotches, and obtains a more vibrant skin tone, either before, after or both before and after your surgery.
Bunching of skin is not common with a well done facelift. Although is really wrinkled, sun damaged skin, it may be impossible to end up with no bunching.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The SMAS component of the facelift is performed deep underneath the skin and really has no bearing on the skin itself other than to tighten the skin after the facial layers are tightened. It will tighten the skin, but should not give any differential color tone to the skin itself. Manipulating the skin can cause telangiectasias, bruising, and hemosiderin deposits that can give a slightly darkening color to the skin. Necrotic areas of the skin can result in hypopigmented areas along the incision site if the skin is pulled too tight. For results of SMAS facelifts, please see our facelift photo gallery located on our web site.

Michael Sundine, MD, FACS · Answer

Performing a facelift will remove some loose skin and that will improve the tone of the skin somewhat. If the skin is made too tight it will result in distortion of the face, scar widening, and possibly skin necrosis. The elevation of the skin flap should not cause any significant change in the skin color. The incisions and operation is designed so that there should not be any bunching of the skin around the incision sites.

Can Facelift Affect Skin Tone?

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