When there is an incision made in the scalp for a lower facelift, does that mean you are going to lose some of your hair?

Question

I have been looking at a lot of videos of doctors making their incisions for a lower facelift around the patients hairline, cutting off excess skin, then stitching it.Then I see other doctors making their incisions about 2 inches past the hairline. I’m confused because does that mean when they are pulling the skin from the face to tighten it, that will make your hairline further back and they are cutting off some of your scalp?Which that means you are losing your hair?Can someone please explain?

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.The incision are made close to the hairline or even extend up into the hair to help hide the scar. If you put them on the outside they would show on the neck and be visible if you pulled you hair up off your neck. There will be trauma to some of the surrounding hair follicles after surgery, so some hair loss is expected. The hair does grow back around the incision and hides them very nicely. Hair will not grow in the scar itself.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

incisions around hairline can cause scarring and hair loss. I suggest PRP/acell injections and hyperbaric oxygen therapy before and after treatment.
With significant neck sagging you would need a neck/face lift with muscle tightening (platysmaplasty). at the same time lasers (fraxel,  co2 or erbium( or microneedling RF (fractora, intensif) can be . performed to improve the crepe skin or wrinkles.  You need a formal consultation, as the neck can be treated with a combination approach:
1. micro needling and lasers for texture
2. botox, disport or xeomin to help platysmal bands
3. intensif or fractora RF microneedling for crepe skin and lifting
4. fillers like belotero, restylane silk, juvederm volbella to improve lines and folds
5. neck/face lifting if sagging is prominent or early starting +/- platysmaplasty (muscle tightening)
6. J plasma/Renuvion, thermiRF, inmode facetite for internal tightening
7. ultherapy and thermage for external tightening
8. regular Venus legacy, exilis ultra, or inmode forma treatments with facials to maintain tightness
9. PDO novathreads or silhouette instalift cone threads for lifting and long-term collagen production
see an expert for a full evaluation and treatment plan based on your individual situation and goals.
Best, Dr. Emer.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

You do not lose any hair with facelift incisions. Some hair is trimmed to avoid hair getting inside the wound. Regards Dr. Janjua

Brian K. Machida, MD, FACS · Answer

If your doctor is extending the incision into the hairline, it will raise the temporal tuft of hair and raise the hairline in the temple area.  Some scalp is being excised so you will be losing some hair this way.  Discuss incisions with your doctor to determine what is best for your objectives.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

This question depends on your facial sagging and the skill of the surgeon. See several very experienced facelift surgeons to discuss what is best for your face

When there is an incision made in the scalp for a lower facelift, does that mean you are going to lose some of your hair?

Answers (7)

Answer: Th answer is yes

Answer: Th answer is yes

Answer: Facelift incisions and scalp hair.

Answer: Facelift incisions and scalp hair.

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When there is an incision made in the scalp for a lower facelift, does that mean you are going to lose some of your hair?

Answers (7)

Answer: Th answer is yes

Answer: Th answer is yes

Answer: Facelift incisions and scalp hair.

Answer: Facelift incisions and scalp hair.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lower Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.