If you did a search online for “ways to look younger,” you’d find hundreds of millions of results. People all over the world are looking for ways to achieve a more youthful, refreshed appearance, from special diets to unique facials. However, many of them are intimidated by the idea of plastic surgery for facial rejuvenation because they worry that the new scar will look worse than their natural aging.
The good news is that when a facelift is done correctly by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, it can achieve natural-looking results with a discrete scar. For those who want even less scarring than a traditional facelift causes, a short scar facelift could be a more attractive choice. To give curious patients the answers they’re looking for, I’m answering some of the most common questions my patients ask about short scar facelifts.
What’s the difference between a short scar facelift and a traditional facelift?
A short scar facelift, also called a limited incision facelift, is much like a traditional facelift. The key difference is that with a traditional facelift, the incision often goes from the temples down in front of the ears, and around to the back of the ears. With a short scar facelift the incision is smaller, usually limited to the temple and the front of the ear.
What’s the difference between a short scar facelift and a mini facelift?
The term “mini facelift” has become a popular one, but it’s important for patients to realize that there is no standardized mini facelift. The term applies to any way a surgeon adjusts a traditional facelift to make it less invasive, reduce downtime, or reduce scarring. A short scar facelift is a type of mini facelift because it minimizes the incision.
How long will it take to recover from a short scar facelift?
A short scar facelift focuses on the final results from your cosmetic surgery by keeping the scar to a minimum, rather than focusing on limiting your recovery time. In general, it takes the same amount of time to recover from a short scar facelift as it takes to recover from a traditional facelift.
Most patients are back at work within a week to ten days after their facelift. Of course, this depends on your job’s physical requirements as well as how quickly your body is healing. However, it can take a few months for all the remaining swelling to fade.
How do I know if I’ll be able to get the results I want from a short scar facelift?
The key to a successful short scar facelift is making sure you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure. The short scar facelift is best for men and women who have a mild to moderate degree of sagging skin. While a short scar facelift can help patients with moderate laxity in the neck and jowls, more severe sagging in these areas may require a neck lift to to help eliminate a double chin or “turkey neck”.
During your pre-surgical consultation, I’ll be able to evaluate your signs of aging to determine if the short scar facelift is your best option.
Can I combine a short scar facelift with other facial rejuvenation procedures?
If you are a good candidate for a short scar facelift but you also have other areas you want to address, I may be able to perform multiple procedures during the same surgery. For instance, many patients choose to have a short scar facelift and eyelid surgery at the same time. This lets them reposition sagging tissue and skin while also getting rid of “bags under the eyes” or “hooded upper eyelids.” It’s also common to combine a short scar facelift with a neck lift, liposuction for the “double chin,” or a brow lift.
For a typical patient who tries to learn about all the different types of facelifts available, the whole process can be overwhelming. While it’s great to know about your options, you should ultimately make your decision by consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience performing facial procedures to discuss the pros and cons of all your options. If you’re ready to get started, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. For more helpful cosmetic surgery tips and information, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
