Does scar tissue develop under the skin after face lift surgery? If so, where, and will it eventually soften? Thank you.

Dear Seajay,It is quite expected for some scar tissue to develop under the skin after a facelift.  Scar formation is a normal part of healing and is absolutely essential for long lasting facelift results.  In most situations the scar formation initially exceeds what is necessary to hold the tissue together.  This excessive scar tissue will be remodeled and removed over time.Deep scar tissue that forms after a facelift often feels as areas of hardness under the skin and can sometimes cause "bumps" and visible creases.  It takes 2-3 month, on average, for this scar tissue to begin to soften.   In some patients the process of scar remodeling might take a bit longer (up to a year was the longest I've seen).  If you do have some signs of excessive scar tissue formation after your procedure, I would advise patients.  Scar remodeling can not be rushed.  Using warm compresses and gentle massage helps to expedite this process, but by no means will make it happen overnight.   Eventually all the noticeable signs of scar tissue should disappear and the skin will get back to normal. Best wishes!Dr. Konstantin

Any time we make an incision or develop a surgical plane of dissection scar tissue will form.  A facelift is no different, however, the scar that forms under the skin is very soft and pliable.  The only person who will ever notice it is the plastic surgeon who does the second facelift.Of course there are some incisions through the skin behind the ear and such that can be noticed, but we try to hide those using strategic surgical planning.Hope this answers your question.

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

The development of the flaps for the proper execution of the facelift should be done gently. This should result in scarring that is completely imperceptible.

Yes, scar tissue will for after facelift. Whenever I perform a secondary or revision facelift, I encountered a thin sheet of scar under the skin. This normal aspect of healing is not concerning and represents the remnant signs of the body's recovery after the lift. initial firmness routinely softens leaving these areas normal appearing with a natural feel after about 6 months.

All surgery produces scars, and facelifts are no exception.  The scars are where the facelift skin flap has healed to the underlying facial structures.  The scars help support the final result.  All scars go through different phases where they may feel firm and tight, but time and patience, usually 4-6 months will see the scars soften as they mature.

Scar formation is a normal part of healing and any time you undergo any surgery, some scar tissue will form.  It takes a good year for any scar to fully mature and soft so if you feel any hardness, massage and time will settle it down.

Following a facelift, the body heals by forming scar tissue. In the case of the skin incisions, the wound edges require sutures to approximate the layers for the best outcome. The undermining and release of the facial tissues below the skin that is performed during the surgery also results in scar tissue as the layers reattach during the healing phase. The external and internal scars have similarities in that they both evolve and soften as the collagen that composes the scar tissue matures and changes over time. This process can last 12-18 months and is a normal part of healing.

Yes, scarring and swelling can occur after undergoing a Facelift.  Swelling alone may give your skin the feel of scar tissue. It can take up to 3 months for all the swelling to resolved to not only see your final cosmetic result but see what is swelling or scar.  

Yes scar tissue does form under the skin in a face lift.  Any time an incision is made in or under the skin, the body heals by making scar tissue.  Scar tissue is usually thick and firm for 3 months or so before it tends to soften and become more pliable.  The scar remodeling process can take a year or two to get as good as it is going to get.