How Long Will My Facelift Incisions Take to Heal?

Visible scarring is never ideal, particularly when it comes to procedures involving the face. Fortunately, modern facelift techniques allow patients to achieve stunning, discreet results with almost no visible scars. Still, there is some time required for the incisions to heal and the scars to fade. If you’re contemplating facelift surgery in Newport Beach, CA, review this helpful timeline of facelift healing and recovery provided by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Kelishadi and the knowledgeable team at SSK Plastic Surgery to gain a better understanding of how long it may take your facelift scars to fade.

Where are facelift scars?

There are many different types of facelifts and facial enhancement surgeries available today, each of which involves a specific surgical approach and incision placement. In all cases of facelifts or facial rejuvenation surgery, Dr. Kelishadi makes every effort to place his incisions in areas where the resulting scars will be minimally visible, if at all. This may mean placing incisions within the natural lines around and behind the ears, along the hairline, or under the chin. During your initial consultation for facelift surgery in Orange County, Dr. Kelishadi will determine which kind of facelift best meets your needs and will discuss what to expect in terms of incision placement and scarring. Some of the most common facelift techniques used today include:

• Traditional rhytidectomy (full facelift)
• Mid-facelift
• Lower facelift
• Mini facelift

When will facelift incisions be closed?

Depending on the type and placement of your incision, it may take about 1 – 2 weeks for facelift incisions to close. At this time, sutures may be removed by Dr. Kelishadi, or – if dissolvable sutures were used – they will begin to dissolve and/or fall out on their own.

How long does it take facelift scars to fade?

Once your facelift incisions are closed, scars will begin to form. For the first several days or weeks, the scars may appear red and raised. After 2 – 3 months, most patients notice their scars lightening up from red to pink, and the color and texture of the scars should continue to improve in the following months. It can take up to 12 –18 months for facelift scars to fade to a white or skin-colored hue.

After 18 – 24 months, patients should consider their scars fully faded. While this may sound like a long time to wait, keep in mind that the scars will be located in inconspicuous areas and will likely be small, fine, and thin. Additionally, the initial healing and fading occur fairly rapidly, with most patients feeling comfortable and confident after just a few weeks or months. Makeup may be used to further cover facelift scars. Even without makeup, however, the vast majority of facelift scars are naturally well hidden.

Your facelift surgery in Newport Beach, CA will be our little secret

Have you been thinking about getting a facelift but are worried about visible scarring? Let us help. When performed by a highly experienced plastic surgeon using cutting-edge techniques and technologies, facelift surgery can give you a stunning new look with almost no visible evidence. To learn more about the exciting transformations that Orange County men and women just like you have achieved with facelift surgery at SSK Plastic Surgery, browse our facelift before-and-after photos here, and call to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Kelishadi today.