How much skin goes down or relaxes after 6 month of skin only facelift?

Question

How much skin goes down or relaxes after a 6 month skin only facelift in a 40 year old where 2 cm of skin was excised on each side of face?

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks Intelligent131677 for your question! Even with precise specifics like 2 cm excisions on either side, it is hard to provide an exact amount of skin relaxation following a facelift. due to the wide variations in facial form, age, and skin elasticity across people.  Furthermore, the surgeon's particular methods (deep plane, SMAS, etc.) have a big influence on how much skin is tightened and how it changes over time. Lastly, lifestyle factors that affect skin quality and healing include smoking, sun exposure, and other lifestyle decisions.   
Generally speaking, some relaxation is expected. Over time, a certain amount of skin relaxation is anticipated, even with expert surgery. This is a normal aspect of growing older.   
A well-executed facelift may significantly and persistently enhance the appearance of the face, frequently for several years.   
Your surgeon is the ideal person to talk to about your particular situation and expectations. Depending on your unique situation and the procedure, they can offer tailored advice.
Hope this was helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr Ali Sajjadian

Zachary Farhood, MD · Answer

The answer varies depending several factors, mostly intrinsic to the patient. Some have more laxity than others. I never recommend a skin-only facelift as results seldom last longer than 1 year and often result in significant scarring. This technique is over 100 years old and was replaced in the 1970s by SMAS-lifting. Today, the most modern and powerful technique is a deep plane facelift as we know now that skin excision is not the major factor in rejuvenating the face but rather repositioning of the deeper soft tissue structures beneath,

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your query. The extent of skin relaxation depends on the technique used, the condition of your skin, as well as the postoperative care. Some relaxation is likely but not a lot at 6 months. Please discuss your concerns with your Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you. All the best!

Timothy M. Greco, MD, FACS · Answer

Hope your surgery went well! All human skin experiences relaxation and stretch back! The fact that you have 40 year old skin is better than 70 year old skin. How much skin relaxes is dependent on many factors. Skin only facelifts relax more than a deep plane facelift.

Rajaie Hazboun, MD, MBA · Answer

Thank you for posting your question here!When it comes to skin only facelift , you are essentially counting on the skin to do all the work, yo are pulling it tighter and trimming it . The skin itself has already lost integrity by virtue or aging/weight loss etc. so how fast it droops again will depend on its quality and how much elasticity it continues to retain. But if yo change the underlying architecture (SMAS) by either doing a deep plane, plication , SMASectomy, dual plane etc you are relying more on the SMAS which is a fascial layer with more integrity and decreasing the tension on the skin so your results will last longer.I hope this helps, Best of luck!

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

To understand why skin can sag after a facelift, remember that one of the reasons for having the facelift is that the skin has lost elasticity and collagen from either aging, sun damage, or both. So the amount of relapse after a facelift depends a lot on the condition of the skin and not much on how much was removed.

How much skin goes down or relaxes after 6 month of skin only facelift?

Answers (6)

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