MACS Facelift Scar Healing Time?

The healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply.The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen. If you have certain concerns about the procedures and #healing process, it is recommended to call your board-certified surgeon or their medical staff and discuss those #concerns.

MACS lift scars are usually not a problem when done properly. The concept of a MACS lift is that all of the tension and lift is placed on the internal suspension sutures and not on the skin.  This takes all of the tension off the skin and results in a fine, nearly imperceptible scar in front of the ear.  If tension is placed on the skin, the scar will be more noticeable, and may take longer to fade.  The end result may not be determined for six to twelve months.  When a MACS lift is done properly, the scars should be very minimal within six to twelve weeks and rarely require any touch-up  due to scar widening or hypertrophy.   

Hidef protocols can help with keloid and hypertrophic scars on the face and body. Surgery is often not needed if lasers are introduced. 
In our office, we combine treatments starting with topical pre-conditioning of the scars with Plato's Scar Serum for hypertrophy and Melarase PM for pigmentation. Fractional RF, laser, and micro fractional RF can help limit scar growth. Kenalog IIT can also help reduce scar thickness. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question. While scars will always be present, much
can be done to make them as subtle as possible. Facelift incisions can be
managed using a multimodal approach:
1) Scar massage - starting as soon as the surgical dressings come off and the incisions are sealed
2) Silicone sheets or scar gels for about six months to year
3) Fractionated lasers to help blend the scar into the background -
done as a series, starting about 4 weeks after surgery and repeated
every four weeks for six months.
4) Sunscreen to prevent the scars from darkeningYour incisions
should be very subtle based on the placement of the incisions, but may
need a full 6 months to 1 year or more to fade.

Thank
you for your question. Your scar will improve over time. You are early in your facelift
recovery. Continue close follow up and advise of your
surgeon. Your scar will change over time. Unfavoravable scars can be
revised after a year. Best Wishes

Two sides of operation rarely heal at exactly the same rate. It is quite normal for your scar to be a little red after one month and, particularly in the horizontal limb,  there can often be some stabbing over earlier. This is because, if performed correctly, several hair follicles are included within the scar. These new hairs will grow out through the scar,  eventually disguising it, but it can result in some irritation early on, which you seem to be experiencing. 

The scars from a facelift take time to heal.  Both sides often heal differently and this is normal. Give it time for the scars and the hair to thicken up. Your PS will guide you.

Nothing to worry about.  Scar looks hypertrophic but not infected.  What your are seeing are small areas of scabby healing that will resolve.  Now it is important to treat the scars with silicone gel cream, gentle massage.  The scar will definitely improve.  I would not consider a revision this early in the process.

Scarring following facelift surgery
varies from patient to patient and is dependent upon a multitude of
variables.  These include the type
of facelift performed, the wound healing characteristics of the patient and the
technical skill of the surgeon. 
The surgeon can influence several of these variables, but unfortunately
has no control over the patients wound healing biology.  For these reasons plastic surgeons make
every effort to place scars where they are well hidden when performing
facelifts.

In the vast majority of patients
these wounds heal nicely and the scars are difficult to see.  When wound healing is complicated the
scars are often well hidden by incision placement.

After surgery scars are often
extremely red, bumpy, irregular and raised.  With the passage of time these scars usually flatten and
lose their redness.  This
improvement becomes noticeable in about six to eight week, but takes 12 to 18
months to reach completion.

Massage and topical agents can
sometimes facilitate wound healing and are often recommended in the
post-operative period.  With these
maneuvers most patients are happy with their results, but occasionally a rare
patient will require a scar revision.

This is a great question. First, the body is asymmetric -- so healing may be asymmetric. One side of your face may heal a little faster, have a little less swelling, etc. in the first few months. Generally speaking, these things even out over time. Second, with a hairline incision, as is used in the MACS lift and some other techniques, the hairs have to grow back through the scar. This can result in small cysts or ingrown hairs. Lastly, in any facelift, there is a step where a thin skin flap has to be elevated. Sometimes a very small hole will be created incidentally during this process. These generally heal over time, but may cause some delays in the overall result. Best of luck going forward!