38 y/o considering a facelift - are there any alternative options that will leave a less noticeable scar? (photos)

So there are a lot of potential answers and solutions to your question. In someone who is a bit older, a subperiosteal midface lift would definitely elevate and lateralize your cheeks with a relatively hidden incision. Fillers can create definition to your lateral cheek which in most cases of younger patients it looks great when not overdone. Non invasive devices and fillers absolutely will not lift. The pull that your are placing on your cheek in the photo is probably a bit stronger than a result that you would be able to achieve surgically.

hello,
Based on your photos, you could be a candidate for an Endoscopic Brow Lift . This would definitely provide some lift to your cheeks, as well as remove any slight ptosis that you may have in the upper eyelids. The tiny incision is your hairline heals well and none of my patients have ever reported hair loss.

I might also recommend Fat transfer to the upper face. This will also help to accentuate your bone structure in the cheeks. I think the combination of these two procedures would give you the result you are looking for. You probably do not necessarily need a Lower Facelift.

Please read my blog post below to learn more about the Facial procedure options. Thank you for your question.

Ricardo L Rodriguez MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Baltimore, Maryland

I have used this technique for over 30 years, so feel confident, from your pictures, that you would get similar results to what you are showing. Of course, a consultation is required. This technique can be performed in several ways, but is tricky to do. In my experience, only about 5% of surgeons are confident with it. It is minimally invasive, and, in many people can be performed with local anesthesia. I've taught to many of my UCLA facial plastic surgery fellows.

A mid-facelift can be done through the lower eyelid. This procedure is most effective in improving the nasolabial folds and the corner of the mouth as you demonstrate in your picture. The other option is a subperiosteal lift through the temple incision. Having said that, most of my facelift incisions in front of the ears heal with no visible scarring as you could see, in my pictures. Therefore scaring depends on the technique used and there are ways to improve that scar. See my Instagram page by clicking the link below and notice the lack of scaring in front of the ears.

Dear phenomenal,
Thanks for the question. There are many options you may want to think about if you are worried about scarring. Some of those options include morpheus 8, fillers, threads, renuvion. All facelifts will leave the patient with a scar. How you heal is dependant on your body as well as surgical technique. With that said, there are techniques and treatments to make the scars almost invisible, but keep in mind every patient heals differently. I would suggest a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon for further information and recommendations.

Hello,
Thank you for your question. Based on your photos, I would suggest a small incision in the temporal hair in order to lift the cheek. This can be done wide awake using local anesthesia and oral medications to help you relax. Patients do incredibly well with this and it avoids the side effects of general anesthesia.
Mark G. Albert, M.D., F.A.C.S.New York, NY

Hi,
A well executed deep plane facelift leaves virtually no scar and will give you the result you are simulating with your finger.

Any time surgery is performed there will be scars. We plan scars strategically around the ear in order to hide them from the untrained eye. The move that you are performing with your finger can only be achieved with a facelift as the deeper tissue must be directly visualized and tightened/lifted.

A mini facelift that lifts your cheeks, jowls and tighten your neck can be performed with minimal scar burden. The scars should be faint when healed and not be an issue if well performed.

No procedure will produce a long term effect that you are showing with your finger. Certainly an endoscopic midface surgery or even limited incision face lift will not accomplish this. Any facelift will result in scars around the ears. For someone your age and the minimal concerns you have, the consequences of the facelift will not outweigh the benefits. One option I would encourage you to explore is the removal of any retained filler you might have in your face.