Why Has My Skin Sloughed Off 2 Weeks out from Facelift? (photo)

You have had a severe reduction in blood flow to your cheek skin following the facelift operation. At worst this can lead to total full thickness skin loss and severe scarring; but fortunately, in your case, it appears to be only a partial thickness injury and the skin should heal.

The operation itself causes a temporary reduction in cutaneous blood flow, but this is magnified by smoking, diabetes and various technical factors. Most plastic surgeons refuse to operate on smokers and uncontrolled diabetics. Technical factors include making the skin flaps too thin and an unrecognized hematoma (bleeding) in the wound.

Your skin has had very superficial loss and will heal well. The lines represent wrinkles that were present before surgery. A facelift reduces winkles and folds in the skin  but does not completely remove them. Additional techniques, like laser, peels, botox, or fillers can complement a facelift if wrinkles remain after surgery.