I had a facelift done. What are the chances of getting a keloid on face?

Keloids forming in the scars after a facelift procedure is extremely unusual. Hypertrophic scars (firm raised scars) can occur more frequently. Though not often, this type of scar can occur with darker skin types. Post-operative scar management with topicals and injections can help  prevent and treat hypertrophic scars.

Hello! Thank you for the question! Keloids following a facelift are uncommon.  However, keloids have a genetic predisposition.  It is common for scars to fully mature for up to a year. In the meantime, there are a few things that may help to ameliorate your incision/scar. The most proven (as well as cheapest) modality is simple scar massage. Applying pressure and massaging the well-healed scar has been shown to improve the appearance as it breaks up the scar tissue, hopefully producing the finest scar as possible. Other things that have been shown to add some benefit, albeit controversial, are silicone sheets, hydration, and topical steroids. In addition, avoidance of direct sunlight to the incision will significantly help the appearance as they tend to discolor with UV light during the healing process. If unsightly scars are still present after approximately a year's time, other things that your surgeon may consider are intralesional steroid injections, laser, or just surgical revision of the scar itself.  Follow your surgeon's instructions for postoperative care of your incisions as well as when to begin scar therapy.Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

Keloids have the highest chance of forming in incisions around the ears in patients with greater skin pigmentation, but still the risk is very small. If you have previously had ear piercing in the past without keloids and your Surgeon does not place inappropriate tension on the skin closure, I would place your risk at negligible. 

This is a good question.  The risk of keloid or hypertrophic scarring with a facelift is very small.  Keloids are genetically based, and if you have developed keloids in the past, then your risk increases.  Individuals that are hyper-pigmented have a higher risk of keloid formation.

Thank you for your question, keloid scarring with any surgery is a risk.  The risk is higher in patients with very fair pigment skin or dark pigment skin. Keloid scarring is genetic, therefore is anyone in your family are prone, this is a good indication. You could have a test excision to see how you heal, before going ahead with a facelift.  Please make sure you find a reputable and qualified plastic surgeon who can assess you properly to give you a realistic idea of what outcome you can achieve.  All The Best 

I personally have never seen a keloid as a consequence of the facelift even in patients of color. Occasionally scar revision is necessary but in a properly executed facelift there is little if any tension on the skin closure and the scars are almost always nearly invisible.

Generally, after a well-performed facelift, scarring is minimal because the incisions are well-designed and under minimal tension. However, people with darker skin types or family or personal history of keloid scarring are at increased risk for poor wound healing. Be sure to discuss this issue with your surgeon so that your incisions can be closely monitored.

Thank you for your question. Certainly keloid scarring can occur anytime an incision is made. Fortunately, it is fairly uncommon with the facelift procedure if corrections are done with minimal tension in patients with no previous history of keloid formation. I would recommend close follow up with your surgeon to carefully follow your incisions. If any thickening does develop, this can be treated with topical products and steroid injections to soften and prevent true keloids from forming.

Scarring is always a possibility after a facelift, however, its very rare for it to be a problem. Keloids are possible, in patients who are predisposed to them and sometimes present after facial surgery. Its important to follow up with your physician regularly so he/she can keep an eye on this and treat when needed. 

Its rare to develop Keloids from facelift surgery.  Hypertrophic scars or thick and raised scars can be minimized by meticulous closure with minimal  tension on the wound.  In patients who are prone to poor scarring or are dark skin should review their possible risk of poor scarring with their surgeon.