How bad can facelift scars look?

Modern facelift surgery keeps all the tension on the deeper structures of the face. This makes it so the skin should be under no tension. In this setting the incision lines heal very well. When this is combined with proper placement the scars should be almost impossible to see. We say that females can wear their hair up and men can have short haircuts within 6-8 weeks. On the other hand - when done wring the scars can be obvious. So please make sure to look at results from your surgeon and make sure that their specialize in facial procedures 

Scars that exhibit inflammation, hypertrophy, or keloid reaction can be managed with our HIDEF protocols. Surgery is not often necessary as we have a full laser and RF protocol. 
Treatments begin with examination of the scars followed by pretreatment with Melarase creams for pigmentation, Plato's Scar Serum for hypertrophy, followed by laser and RF protocols with PDL, RF, and microfractional RF or laser. Kenalog IIT is also very important. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Generally speaking, facelift scars are very well camouflaged in natural facial lines and in the hairline.  Sometimes, particularly in individuals with compromised wound healing, the scars can be more noticeable.  Nevertheless, with time, most scars heal in a very inconspicuous manner, and certainly scars can be treated to gain some improvement with time if need be.  Check out my video for more information on scarring following a facelift.  

Ideally scars are hidden very well in the hairline borders and around the ear contour.  With minimal skin tension, these incisions heal very well with little visibility.  However if any tension is placed on the incisions, they can wide and become hypertrophic and noticeable. 

#Incisions for a #facelift vary depending upon whether the patient is male or female, the hairstyles, hairline, age, previous surgery, and other factors. Generally, the incision starts in the temple, in front or within the hairline. It continues in front of the ear, sometimes partially hidden within the #ear. It then goes under the earlobe, behind the ear fold, and ends within the hairline or at the hairline behind the ear. The newer, shorter #scar techniques, which do not include scars in or by the hairline, can be used for most patients. Frequently another small and hidden incision is made under the chin in a natural skin fold. This allows fat removal and tightening of the platysma muscle in the neck if required.During your #consultation, your skin texture and elasticity, as well as your underlying skin structure and your facial bone structure will be evaluated. Based on this evaluation, your board certified plastic surgeons will create a custom surgical plan, detailing specific techniques and recommendations to meet your goals. In doing so, he or she should be sure to have a full understanding of what results you expect.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. We find that scar reducing product, BioCorneum , appears to be very effective. 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.

Thank you for your question.  This is one that I hear from my patients quite often, and the answer is that facelift incisions should be (and almost always) are imperceptible after surgery.  As with any surgery, there risk of noticeable incisions afterwards.  However, after a well-executed facelift which places the incisions without tension, they should heal very well.  I suggest that you consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who has experience with facelifts.  I would look at before and after photographs, and be sure to ask where the incisions are placed with each patient. Depending on the type of lift, the incisions will extend from in front of the ear and around to behind the ear.  I hope that this helps!-David Gilpin

Thank you for your question.  Scarring is an individual process, which not only depends on the size and depth of the wound, but is also influenced by the other factors.  The factors include: age, skin type, hormones, location of the scar, complications in wound healing and general health and well being etc. If you have scars anywhere else on your body would be a good indication on how you heal.  The scar should be tucked into the crease of the ear therefore once healed shouldn't be visible.  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 

The extent of the facelift incisions are tailored to each patient's needs and can range from:
A mini lift: a small skin excision from in-front of the ear that tightens the skin along the jaw line in younger patients, to 
A lower face and neck lift: an extension of the mini lift that brings the incision higher in front of the ear to the sideburn and further back behind the ear into the hairline to tighten the neck and reposition the deeper soft tissues of the face to efface neck bands, lift the jowls, and add volume back to the cheeks (a cheek lift), to
An upper and lower face and neck lift: a further extension of the incision higher in-front of the sideburn to allow tightening of the upper face — addressing the crows feet.  
As the scars fade, they hide well in the natural anatomic borders of the face.See the link below for more info.
A detailed examination will help delineate the best surgical option. Consultation with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery would be the next best step.

Scars to achieve facial rejuvenation are well disguised at the sideburn region and at the contours of the ear anteriorly. Posteriorly behind the ear incisions are tucked up underneath the ear and then re-drape along the hairline in the posterior neck. Many modalities can be implemented to help minimize how visible the scars are.  Many details at the time of surgery as well as postop care as well as patient involvement can contribute to the quality and texture of a scar. Ensuring that there is no smoking through the perioperative period can dramatically help improve on healing and therefore improve the quality of the scar. Postoperative care with appropriate cleansing and scar management with silicone-based creams can dramatically improve the quality of scars and reduce visibility. Close follow up with your Plastic Surgeon through this time is also very helpful in maximizing results.

typically facelift scars are very discrete and not noticeable after only a few months. Some patients can heal with wider or raised scar, which is often more of a healing issue than a technical one. Injections, dermabrasion, silicone therapy and laser treatments can be effective in these patients, but it is important to alert your doctor early to any issues with scars. They tend to be easier to treat if caught early on.