I'd like to know if it is safe to get subcision after a whole facelift?

Subcision after a facelift can be safe in selected cases, but timing and depth matter. It is usually considered only after the facelift tissues have healed and softened, and only for a clear problem such as a tethered scar, depression, or localized adhesion.

A careful, limited subcision should not normally make the whole face sag. The concern is that aggressive release, treatment too early, or work in the wrong plane could disturb scar support, create contour irregularity, swelling, or compromise the lifted tissue. The safest step is to ask your facelift surgeon first, because they know the surgical planes used and whether the area is ready for any release.

Thank you for your question. Subcision involves treating the region just under the skin surface, which shouldn't interfere with the facelift. All the best!
-Dr. P

It's probably best to wait at least 4 to 6 months after a facelift procedure before undergoing another procedure on your face involving the epidermis and dermis.

I am assuming that you have healed more or less completely after facelift surgery.While surgery addresses deeper anatomy to reposition your tissues to a more youthful position, the skin and superficial tissues may benefit from adjunct procedures before and/or after your operation. Subcision with injection of biostimulators after surgery (wait at least 6 months after surgery) can help build collagen in the dermis and superficial tissues if skin laxity is the issue.

Dear Christalent,
This is an interesting question and a technique I use often in minimally -invasive collagen stimulating facial skin tightening. There are 2 techniques:
• Lysis or cutting the fibers with separation of the skin from the underlying tissues. This may allow the skin to slip down until it re-adheres with new scar (collagen) formation and tightening.
• Undermining the face and (neck) skin, (with or without lipocontouring and facial fat grafting) not cutting the retaining skin fibers achieving collagen stimulation and new adherence with tightening.
• Both can be performed with PDO or PLLA Thread Face and Neck lifting to hold the tissues in a higher position and further stimulate collagen.
• A less invasive option is the use of Sculptra. This is a PLLA injectable into the subdermal tissues to stimulate collagen, firming and tightening.
Since I don’t know the timing following a facelift, these techniques are useful in “non-surgical” pre-facelift early skin tightening and lifting, and/or post-facelift maintenance and continuation of collagen restoration.
I hope this is helpful. Happy Holidays! All the best!

Hi,
This all depends on what is trying to be accomplished with subcision and where it is performed. For small dimpled lesions, subcision can help release attachments and smooth the skin. Having this done after facelift shouldn’t be a problem as the layer with sutures should be deeper, but I would recommend waiting 4-6 months after the surgery if this is to be performed at lateral areas of the face.

Good Morning! Great question. There shouldn't be any issue with causing sagginess from a subcision after a facelift. Subcision is typically very localized and is used to free-up tethered tissues. As long as it's done carefully, you shouldn't have a problem. Hope this helps!