Is this normal healing or should I be concerned about my facelift scars nearly 2 years later? (Photos)

Question

Hi doctors — nearly 2 years ago, I had a deep plane facelift. Since then, I haven't been able to comfortably wear my hair up due to how visible and prominent my scars are. The scar under my chin is, in my opinion, quite bad — and the ones near my ears, although technically hidden in the hairline, are sunken or depressed, which actually makes them more noticeable. I’m trying to figure out: is this just how these scars typically heal after a deep plane lift, or is this something that could have been avoided or might still be improved? Am I overreacting — or is this outcome below expectations? Photos attached. Thank you for your insight.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Please present these issues to your facelift surgeon who will likely offer you filler and/or segmental revision and/or laser treatment as potential solutions.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You have a widened scar along the temporal hairline. The other photos I don’t know where those scars are. A secondary revision to revise the temporal scars would be simple to do and provide some improvement

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. The photos are not ideal, but skin scarring has no relationship to the type of facelift you had. It has to do with your surgeon's artistic skill how to close a skin incision without tension. When the skin envelope is closed, the edges have to practically touch and not be forcefully pulled together. Talk to your surgeon about a scar revision, which can be done under local anesthesia. Good luck.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

Those scars are not out of the ordinary at all. That being said, there are ways to reduce the appearance of these scars. We have several different options to make them much harder to see.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. Although the quality of the photos you shared are not ideal, I would say that the scars you have are very well within what I would consider "normal" post surgical scarring from the procedure you had. Are some people's scars better? Possibly. Have I seen some much worse? Absolutely. If you are concerned about the contour or the color of the scar there might be options to discuss with your surgeon for improvement such as scar camo tattooing, injections, microneedling, etc. But generally any attempts at surgical correction of scars this reasonable will not likely yield significant improvement.
Hope this helps!
Dallas Buchanan
VIVIFY plastic surgery
Tampa, FL

Is this normal healing or should I be concerned about my facelift scars nearly 2 years later? (Photos)

Answers (6)

Answer: Expected but there are options

Answer: Expected but there are options

Answer: Is this normal healing or should I be concerned about my facelift scars nearly 2 years later?

Answer: Is this normal healing or should I be concerned about my facelift scars nearly 2 years later?

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Is this normal healing or should I be concerned about my facelift scars nearly 2 years later? (Photos)

Answers (6)

Answer: Expected but there are options

Answer: Expected but there are options

Answer: Is this normal healing or should I be concerned about my facelift scars nearly 2 years later?

Answer: Is this normal healing or should I be concerned about my facelift scars nearly 2 years later?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Deep Plane Facelift

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