Where Are the Incisions Made for a Facelift?

For anyone who wishes they could turn back the hands of time, regaining their youthful countenance, getting a facelift may be an effective solution. Through this surgical procedure, you can pull your skin tight, minimize sagging, and smooth wrinkles and fine lines.

At Westfield Plastic Surgery Center, we hear from patients who are curious about getting a facelift but have a few reservations. One of the biggest concerns has to do with scarring. After all, nobody wants to go under the knife for a facial procedure if the end result is going to be marred by large, highly visible scars.

The real question is, where do plastic surgeons make their incisions for a facelift procedure? Knowing that will provide a clue as to what kind of scarring you can anticipate.

Hiding Your Incisions

Skilled plastic surgeons are well aware that their patients do not wish to have prominent scarring. As such, a skilled board-certified surgeon will be careful to use as few incisions as possible, keep those incisions relatively small, and hide the incisions in inconspicuous places.

The skill of your plastic surgeon is a major factor here. Skilled and experienced surgeons will prove more adept at minimizing their incisions and placing them where scars will be close to invisible. Make sure you do your due diligence by seeking a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your facelift.

Typical Facelift Incisions

With typical facelifts, the surgeon will often make the longest incision behind the ear, extending up into the hairline. This all but ensures no one will be the wiser as to the location of your scar, as the bulk of it will be well-hidden by the ear and by your hair.

For patients who are looking for more modest results, a limited facelift (or “mini-facelift”) can be performed, with an even smaller scar that can be completely hidden in your hair.

Other Options for Facelift Incisions

Depending on your cosmetic goals, there may be additional options for keeping your incisions small and well-concealed.

For example, patients who are looking to have minor changes made to the middle or upper part of their face can sometimes get the desired results with just a small s-shaped scar, extending from the temple to the ear, hidden under the hair.

On very rare occasions, if the patient is primarily seeking to have skin tightened around their chin or their neck, the plastic surgeon may make a tiny incision at the base of the chin, where it can be easily hidden by folds of skin. With that said, the jawline and other more prominent locations are almost always avoided.

If you have specific questions about the location of a facelift incision, make an appointment with a skilled plastic surgeon who can provide you with a more individualized sense of where your incision will need to be made.

Additional Ways to Minimize Scars

In addition to strategic incision placement, your surgeon can also cut the skin in a way that allows it to stretch more easily, then suture it back together to minimize the development of scarring.

There is also plenty that you can do to reduce the visibility of your facelift scarring. During your recovery process, make sure you follow the surgeon’s instructions to the letter; proper wound care is one of the most vital aspects of keeping your scar near-invisible. Specifically, apply ointments and take anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics as suggested, and make sure to avoid smoking or any other activities that your surgeon warns against.

Find Out More About What You Can Expect from a Facelift

As you consider whether or not to get a facelift, scarring is a natural concern. While your facelift procedure will inevitably result in some level of scarring, a good surgeon can make sure that the size and placement of the scar do not detract from the outcome of your surgery.

To learn more about the kind of incision you can expect or about ways you can ensure a healthy facelift recovery, reach out to a qualified plastic surgeon. For those in Omaha, we welcome you to set up an appointment at Westfield Plastic Surgery Center at any time.