Facelift Scarring in Newport Beach

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One of the major concerns patients have before undergoing facelift surgery is the visibility of facelift scars after their operation. Some patients believe that facelift scars are unsightly, noticeable, and permanent. 

If the plastic surgeon performing your facelift is not an expert, facelift scars can be all of those things. However, Dr. Ackerman is a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in facelift surgery. With Dr. Ackerman as your facial plastic surgeon, your scars are expected to be well-concealed, and they will fade over time.

Table of Contents

Where Are Facelift Incisions Made?
Facelift Scarring for Men Vs. Women
How to Reduce Facelift Scarring
Are There Non-scarring Alternatives to Facelift Surgery?

Where Are Facelift Incisions Made?

Dr. Ackerman makes incisions for facelift surgery precisely and strategically. Typically the incisions are placed in the natural creases around the ears and along the hairline. This preserves the hair in the sideburn and behind the ears. When performed well, these incisions are very minimal within a few weeks and become nearly imperceptible eventually. 

Dr. Ackerman’s goal is to both correct the underlying facial structure and minimize the visibility of future scars. He takes care to ensure that there is minimal hairline disruption from facelift scars. 

Learn more about facelift techniques. 

Facelift Scarring for Men Vs. Women

Dr. Ackerman uses slightly different techniques for male versus female facelifts. These changes reflect differences in facial structure and aesthetic goals for each gender. 

Male Scarring After Facelift

It is usually easier for men to conceal facelift scars in sideburns. However, there is a greater chance of men losing hair compared to women, which can cause scars to become more apparent over time. 

Dr. Ackerman will ask male patients about their family history of hair loss and baldness so he can take potential future hair loss into account. 

Learn more about how hair loss affects facelift scars.

If male patients have a family history of hair loss or baldness, Dr. Ackerman may choose to make incisions only behind the ears. He may also use smaller incisions along the sideburns to minimize scarring. 

Learn more about male facelift surgery.

Female Scarring After Facelift

For female patients, Dr. Ackerman usually places the incisions behind the ears or within the hairline. Unlike men, there is a low risk of hair loss and baldness among female patients. This means that the primary concern is concealing the facelift scars within the hairline without disrupting hair growth. Dr. Ackerman is highly skilled, so most patients will not see hair growth disruption caused by facelift scars in their hairline. 

Dr. Ackerman strives to make your facelift scars as small and well-concealed as possible. Even hairdressers working up close should not be able to see the scars within your hairline if the scars heal properly. 

Learn more about female facelift surgery.

If you want to learn more about facelift surgery or facelift scars, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Ackerman. You can contact his Newport Beach office by calling (949) 759-3284.

How to Reduce Facelift Scarring

While Dr. Ackerman works hard to make scars as small and difficult to see as possible, many patients want to know how they can help hide their scars. Fortunately, there are many things patients can do during and after their facelift recovery to cause their scars to fade, soften, or heal faster. 

Scar Fading Creams

There are many types of topical scar treatments. These scar fading creams can soften scar tissue and help them blend in with the surrounding skin. 

Silicone Gel

Silicone-based gels can be applied to scars to help them lighten and fade faster. Silicone gels are also great for treating scar-based complications such as keloid scars.

Laser Treatments (Laser Resurfacing)

Many patients can treat scars through laser skin resurfacing treatments. These procedures remove the top layers of skin and cause new cells to grow. This cell growth causes scar tissue to fade. 

Dr. Ackerman offers CO2 laser resurfacing to treat scars caused by facelift surgery.

Chemical Peels

Like laser treatments, chemical peels can address the size, color, and texture of scars. They work by removing the upper layers of hardened scar tissue and encouraging new cell growth. 

Dr. Ackerman offers several types of chemical peels.

Lifestyle Changes

One of the most effective ways for patients to treat scars and maintain their facelift results is to implement lifestyle changes that protect their skin.

Sun Exposure

Exposure to direct sunlight can damage your skin, causing premature aging. This can also cause scars to be more visible, as scar tissue reacts to sunlight differently than unscarred skin. 

Keep your face and head out of direct sunlight as much as possible to preserve your facelift results. This can also help your scars fade faster. When you must be outdoors, wear a hat and use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin.

Stop Smoking

Smoking tobacco products can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles, skin discoloration, and other damage. This can make facelift scars more visible and reduce the effectiveness of your plastic surgery. Smoking can also increase your risk of several types of skin cancer, including lip cancer.

Don’t Drink Alcohol

Drinking in moderation won’t do much visible damage to your skin. However, excessive drinking can dehydrate your skin, cause wrinkles, and make scars more visible. To prevent damage to your skin, drink only in moderation.

Are There Non-scarring Alternatives to Facelift Surgery?

These days, there are several alternatives for patients who prefer non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Some of these treatments include BOTOX® Cosmetic and laser skin resurfacing. These procedures will not provide the results of a complete facelift. However, they may help you maintain your appearance until you are ready for one.

Non-surgical treatments work best in patients with less severe aesthetic concerns or those looking to combine non-surgical treatments with a facelift.