Can Facelift Scars Be Hidden Or Revised?

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A facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens the skin on one’s face. The surgery can remove wrinkles, repair age damage, or both. Many people don’t know that facelifts can cause some pretty bad scars as well! These scars are usually located near the hairline of your head and around your ears. They’re also sometimes found in the neck area. This blog post will discuss whether these scars can be hidden or revised after facelift surgery.

Can Facelift Scars Be Hidden Or Revised?

In many cases, the scars from a facelift are not very noticeable. However, some people may have more visible scarring than others. In these instances, revision surgery can be performed to fix the existing scars and create better results that look more uniform and natural with your skin texture or tone. A facelift expert can help prevent more scars.

Scars on each side of the face can be revised using different techniques, depending on their location and severity. The goal is to make them as inconspicuous as possible so that they are not visible when you smile or talk.

If you consider a facelift and have concerns about scarring, consult with a plastic surgeon to learn more about your options. Facelift scars can be hidden or revised if they are not too bad.

If the scars are bad, then they will have to be revised. The revision surgery can help to make the scars less noticeable. If you are considering a facelift, be sure to talk with your surgeon about the scarring and what can be done to minimize it.

Surgical Scar Revision Techniques

1. Fusiform Elliptical Excision

This surgical procedure is exactly as it sounds. The surgeon will make the incision in a fusiform shape, which means that they are making an ellipse along the scar line. This then allows for recontouring of both sides of the incision to be made with minimal visible damage at either end.

The result can be a much more aesthetically pleasing scar that is less likely to be noticed by others.

2. Z-Plasty

This surgical procedure is used to hide scars caused by incisions that are not straight. The surgeon will make a Z-shaped incision in the skin, which will allow them to reposition the scar tissue so that it is no longer visible.

This procedure can also help reduce the amount of tension on the skin, which can help prevent the formation of further scars.

These surgical procedures are relatively simple and can be performed under local anesthetic. They are both effective at hiding or revising scars caused by facelift surgery. If you are not happy with the appearance of your scars, be sure to discuss this with your surgeon. They may be able to recommend a surgical procedure that can help to improve their appearance.

Non-Surgical Revision Techniques

1. Topical Therapy

Topical treatments for scar revision include silicone gel, vitamin E cream, and aloe vera. Silicone has been shown to help with hypertrophic scars, a reddish raised type of scarring that can result from surgery. Vitamin E helps reduce scar tissue adhesion and enhance collagen production within the skin layers. Vitamin E can be applied topically or orally. Aloe vera is also believed to help with collagen production and adhesion, reducing the size of scars over time. Still, this method needs more research before it can be said that aloe vera helps improve scar appearance by itself.

2. Cyrotherapy

Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to help improve the appearance of scars. It works by freezing the tissue and causing a minor injury. This type of treatment will cause the body to send new blood vessels and collagen to the area to heal it, making the scar look better.

This method is typically used on newer scars that are still raised or pink in color.

3. Intralesional Agents

Intralesional agents such as injections of steroids and even Botox can help soften the appearance or shrink a raised scar. These treatments are usually used on scars that have been present for some time because it is more challenging to improve older scars than newer ones.
Intralesional injections decrease inflammation and prevent collagen overproduction, which ultimately leads to a softer, less raised scar.

4. Soft Tissue Fillers

Soft tissue fillers are often used to help raise the skin level and improve the appearance of wrinkles. In some cases, they can also be used to fill in scars.

This method is most effective on newer scars that are still red or raised. The filler will help increase the skin and look more like surrounding healthy tissue.

5. Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Ablative laser resurfacing is a treatment that uses intense heat to remove part of the upper layers of skin. It can help improve both raised and depressed scars by removing the outermost damaged tissue while creating new healthy tissue beneath it.

This method works best on older scars because there are often many fibrous bands that prevent the complete healing of the dermis layer.

This treatment can also cause scar tissue to appear during healing which is more visible on some skin types than others, but it will still be less noticeable than an older scar. Ablative laser resurfacing may not be ideal for every patient because of this reason and other potential side effects such as hyperpigmentation or scarring.

Before undergoing this treatment, make sure the surgeon is experienced at treating facial scars and knows how to use an ablative laser properly because it can damage surrounding healthy tissue if not used correctly. A trained professional should also only use this method to minimize complications.

6. Non Ablative Lasers

Non-ablative lasers are also used for scar revision. They do not remove the outermost layers of skin, but they can help improve scars by heating them to increase collagen production and tighten existing tissue.

Unlike ablation laser resurfacing, non-ablative treatments should only be done on newer scars less than a year old to avoid complications with healing.

Non-ablative lasers are not meant for older scars because they do not go deep enough into the dermis layer to remove scar tissue or collagen that is already present. There can be some benefit, but it won’t last very long after treatment has stopped and will need regular maintenance treatments at regular intervals.

This method is also less likely to cause complications such as hyperpigmentation or scarring. Still, it is essential to find a skilled professional who knows how to use the laser properly to avoid any damage to surrounding tissue.

Some non-ablative lasers can be done at home with an appropriate device, but make sure you are using the right kind suitable for your skin type before trying it out.

In conclusion, there are a number of different methods that can be used to improve the appearance of facial scars. Some work better on newer scars while others are more effective on older scars. It is important to find the best method for your specific scar and skin type. Each treatment has its own set of risks and benefits, so make sure you are aware of what to expect before undergoing any procedure.