Will I Still Be Able to Wear my Hair Up After Facelift Procedures?

Question

I am having rhytidectomy: neck, w/platysmal tighting & chemical peel. Will I still be able to wear my hair up and away from my face. I have checked into the short scar vs this and have decided on this proc. and will just suffer the down time for the results, but am worried about the scar.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

This is a very good question. I would like to caution you that a "short scar Facelift" will impede the ability of the Surgeon to remove excess neck skin. If you have significant cervical (neck) laxity, a short scar incision may not be adequate for your concerns. Facelift incision placement and judicious skin removal, when employed correctly can provide for very acceptable scars. Facelift incision placement, as described by Bruce Connell, MD generally allows for great results and imperceptible scars. Ask to see close up photographs of your Surgeons scars and go with your comfort level.

Kevin Ende, MD · Answer

Many rhytidectomy techniques can leave a noticeable scar which is visible when the hair is worn up, while other techniques are less conspicuous. If you are left with a noticeable scar when your incisions heal, and the scar is still visible after the 2nd hair cycle (about 6 months), a hair transplant can be performed to hide these incisions.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

If the surgeon does a good job and is very experienced you should be able to do this. An exception is possible but rare.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

You certainly should be able to wear your hair up off your shoulders two to three months after the procedure once the incisions have healed. It all depends on where the incisions are placed, execution of the incision and the operation itself. Wide scars are caused from too much tension placed on the skin and leaving sutures in too long causes railroad track scars. For your facelift it is important that you not have the skin stretched too much and that the sutures are removed at day #4 after the procedure so as not to incur railroad track scars. A short scar versus long scar is irrelevant to whether or not you can pull your hair up. It is only relevant to how much excess skin has shifted backwards with the procedure. You will need a long incision if you have lots of extra skin.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Express your desire to your surgeon. There are different ways to handle the scars behind the ears and it should be possible to wear your hair up after surgery. It might not be a tight pony tail but one that is a little bit looser.

Deason Dunagan, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Scar formation following the rhytidectomy both in front of and behind the ear is usually acceptable for wearing your hair up. However, if your hair is very dark your scarline may be slightly more visible than if you hair color or skin is more fair. Also, just be aware that it will take some time for you scar lines to reach maximum improvement. In my experience, the incision behind the ear is frequently necessary to give the ultimate improvement in the neck and jawline region, so I think you are making a good choice. In the end, yes you might have to compromise on your hairstyle for a period of time but the trade-off will likely be very much worth it.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Well-placed incisions by a surgeon experienced in facelift surgery should allow a women freedom in choice of hair styles. An unfavorable scar is a possible but unusual complication, which can be revised. It is not necessary to compromise your expectations.

Will I Still Be Able to Wear my Hair Up After Facelift Procedures?

Answers (7)

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