Can You See Facelift Scars? | Dr. Jonathan Sykes

Where are the scars from a facelift?
The scars from a facelift can be located in a few different places on the face, but the way I like to do it is by making an incision around the temporal hair tuft. I do this becauseI don’t like to pull that hair tuft back, which is a tell-tell sign of a facelift, and if this incision is angulated correctly it allows hair to grow through the scar, effectively hiding it.

When it comes to the area in front of the ear, I place the incision behind the tragus for women and in front of the tragus for men. The tragus is that little dangly thing that protrudes over the ear opening. I place my incision in front of it in men because they typically have some type of hair there, whether it be sideburns and/or a beard, and we don’t want to pull that hair into the ear or they’ll be shaving the inside of their ear canal. In women, it won’t matter and so we place the incision behind the tragus.

Next we go around the earlobe without changing its position to the head. Some people have detached earlobes while others have attached earlobes, and we want to keep that intact without changing it. I also try not to change the posterior hairline by pulling it back. If all this is accomplished, it will be very hard for someone to see the scars from a facelift. Patients can wear a ponytail or short hair without the scar being apparent.

How long does it take for facelift scars to fade?
Facelift scars, even though they heal very well, don’t look perfect immediately. If the scar is in front of the ear it looks good very early, but behind the ear takes a little longer. For women, or men, with long hair, I suggest wearing a style that covers the ears a bit for about three to four weeks to about a month. By that time the scar should look quite good and will be difficult to see.

When a facelift is done correctly, we can make it very hard to see any signs once the scar is healed.

I love doing facelifts because the procedure really rejuvenates the face in a wonderful way and it can be done without changing the hair pattern and by making the scars almost unnoticeable. If you want to call me about facelifts or about anything relating to facelift healing and results, I’d love to talk to you about your goals. Call or email me at my office any time. I help patients like you every day and I’d love to see you.

Have questions about facelifts?

About Dr. Jonathan Sykes
Dr. Jonathan Sykes is a world-famous expert plastic surgeon who performs all cosmetic and functional plastic surgery procedures on the face and neck. He is a past president of The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and served on their Board of Directors for over 10 years. He is also a Professor Emeritus in Facial Plastic Surgery from UC Davis Medical Center, and the former Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at that institution.

[salvi_]

I’m watching everything I can before my procedure. Thank you Doctor.

[keginemylife]

Im actually awake at 6:47 am I’m up thinking about my upcoming neck lift procedure in a couple months. I went to my consultation yesterday with my surgeon. He told me about the incisions . I just wanted to confirm by watching other drs procedures so far this the only dr who describes the exact same technique that my surgeon uses.

[carmenerhart]

Oh God, I will love to get a facelift with this doctor, but 🥺 I won’t be able to afford it

[VikramKumar-wybe]

Is there any way for a guy to just push the scars under a beard or maybe do a hair grafting on the scar

[elizabethtaylor]

What is the facelift u do, smas, deep plane or just skin removal, I hear less tension scars heels nice

[Farsider]

Excellent video - thanks! I have a question regarding face lifts for men who have significant hair loss and prefer the complete head shaved look. Will the scars be quite noticeable? It seems to me that a vertical scar right in front of the ear and then perhaps a slight horizontal scar just above the ear would certainly show to some extent, but with today’s technology and skills perhaps these scars would be minimal ?

[jacquesmertens]

Hi doctor, why haven't you had this facelift yourself?

[warioto]

For your skin closure, is it better for me to have buzzed short hair or longer. What length of hair makes it easier for you to do the closure for lateral facelift?