Procedure | Non-Surgical
Short Scar Facelift
A short scar facelift is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the central and lower face. Some may include the neck. Smoothing the nasolabial folds, jowl reduction, or for a more defined jawline.
During the procedure, the surgeon will make small incisions to expose the layers of the face that are underneath the skin. These incisions are usually placed along the hairline and in other areas where the resulting scars can be easily concealed or disguised. The surgeon will then tighten and manipulate the various layers of tissue, muscle, and skin to produce a more lifted and youthful facial contour. Excess skin will be removed, and the remaining skin will be draped over the face. Finally, the incisions will be closed, and the face will be bandaged. This makes it a more beneficial treatment minimizing scars and injuries.
Prior to the procedure:
• Avoid wearing makeup and jewelry to your appointment.
• You’ll also need someone to drive you home.
• It is important to stop medications as recommended by your doctor.
• Stop smoking for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure.
During the treatment, the doctor will separate the skin from the underlying fat and muscles and tighten the underlying muscle tissues and remove the excess skin. This allows for the skin of the face to be smoother and patients will look 5 to 10 years younger.
The surgery typically lasts between 1 to 3 hours and the recovery time will vary but most patients can return to work and normal daily activities within 2 weeks.
The position, appearance, and visibility of your facelift scars can depend heavily on many factors, one of which is the experience and skill of the surgeon.
After your short-scar facelift, you may experience facial swelling and bruising. This should be less than that of a full facelift.
Patients of the short-scar facelift require around one to three weeks to heal and recover.
• Patients may take 1 to 2 weeks off from work for bruising and a significant proportion of the swelling to resolve.
• It is recommend to use topical agents to promote appropriate and even healing.
• In general, it usually takes about six months for incisions to fully heal and may take around 1 years for the scars to fully fade.
• Rest is absolutely necessary with your head elevated with 2 pillows for at least the first week.
• Place ice packs over the surgical site to reduce swelling.
• You will be wrapped in dressings that will not be removed until your 24 hour follow up appointment.
• Restrict your activities several days afterwards.
• CAUTION: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position you may become dizzy. You should Stand up slowly to provide time to steady yourself.
Depending on the elasticity of your skin, diet, and sun exposure, your short scar facelift and neck lift should last for 5 to 7 years or longer.
The risks and complications include:
• Bleeding.
• Bruising.
• Damage to the facial nerves controlling muscles, usually temporary.
• Hematoma.
• Infection.
• Loss of hair around the incision site.
• Numbness, which can improve within days or weeks.
• Scarring.
• Skin necrosis, or tissue death.
• Unevenness between two sides of the face.
• Widening or thickening of scar
