Will a (mini) facelift improve my acne scars? (photos)

A few dermabrasions under local would help that acne scarring of the cheeks probably more than anything else. Cost is $3500 per session and the sessions can be just 3 months apart.

Thank you for submitting your question and photos. While you don’t appear to be a candidate for a mini facelift, laser resurfacing or RF microneedling can reduce the appearance of acne scars while also improving the skin’s texture and elasticity. Laser resurfacing uses a laser to remove precise outer dermal layers and reveal the new, healthy skin below for a smooth and long-lasting result. RF microneedling combines the collagen-boosting benefits of microneedling and gentle RF heating to rejuvenate the skin and minimize the appearance of scarring. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon. They will be able to discuss your concerns with you and help you decide on the best treatment option.

"​Acne scars need a combination approach for long-term improvement. Everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring, and most people have various types of scars, so we create a tailored treatment plan for each patient. We often use:
- Injectable fillers like Bellafill and Sculptra (with or without subcision) for atrophic, indented scars.
- Subcision for depressed, tethered scars.
- Vascular lasers like Yellow laser, Aerolase, excel V, BBL, or IPL for redness or thick acne scars.
- Lasers such as Fraxel, Erbium, CO2, Halo or fractional radiofrequency (Venus Viva, Skinfinity, Morpheus, PiXel8, Fractora, Intensif microneedling RF) for textural issues and superficial scarring.
- TCA CROSS and punch excision for deep ice pick scars and narrow box car scars.

All lasers are combined with microneedling/PRP to improve the results and accelerate your healing time. Keep in mind that a personalized combination treatment by an expert physician will give you the improvement you're looking for. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist and acne scarring expert. Best, Dr. Emer. ​"

Hello! Thanks for the questions. I would advise against any sort of facelifting procedure at your age - especially something one-sided. For acne scarring, there are other, safer options. The first would be subcision with resurfacing via Morpheus8 RF microneedling. Another would be micro or nanofat injections under and within the acne scars. The growth factors and stem cells present in these forms of fat work very well for scarring and healing. For any discoloration, IPL can be helpful. CO2 resurfacing is also an option, though more invasive. As for improvement, it really depends. Multiple treatments would likely be needed before determining the "result". In many cases, at least 50% improvement is possible. Hope this helps!

Dear Lawrence2,
Thank you for sharing your photos. They are helpful and yes, a facelift is useful for facial acne skin irregularity and asymmetry but you will need more information to make the right choice.
• Please consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon skilled in non-surgical, minimally invasive and surgical options to achieve your goals.
• Non-surgical: tretinoin (retinoids) for scar renewal and collagen regulation
• Minimally invasive: Sculptra, dermal-PDO-threads, sub-cision and fat grafting
• Surgical: skin-only facelift; SMAS lift for additional lift and symmetry.
I hope this helps. All the best!

I would not recommend a facelift for your acne scars. A facelift may make the scars worse or more stretched out. I would recommend non-invasive modalities such as filler, lasers, microneedling to improve the skin texture.

While I agree that undermining and tightening skin that is scarred can often help smooth those scars, I would recommend careful excision of the deepest scars and then dermabrasion after 4 to 6 weeks. The excisions could be performed in the office under local anesthesia and provide basically a trade of the acne scar for another scar that is smoother and better contoured. Dermabrasion should work well with a low risk of hyperpigmentation given your light Fitzpatrick skin type.