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facelift scars

Your Guide to Minimal Scarring from a Facelift

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facelift-in-atlanta-gaPlastic surgery has helped countless patients restore their confidence and take the stress of self-consciousness off their minds, but it does come with some trade-offs to consider, including scars. Patients who are preparing for facial surgeries like a facelift tend to be particularly concerned about scarring because their face is such a prominent part of their appearance. While scars cannot be fully avoided in any surgery, the good news is that board-certified plastic surgeons like me are experienced in concealing scars within the hair and natural lines of the face as much as possible, and that there are also many steps you can take before and after surgery to minimize your scarring.

Consider whether a Band Aid Mini Facelift will meet your needs.

Many patients know that they want to look younger and they know that they’ve reached a point when non-surgical treatments like Botox® and filler injections simply won’t produce the results they want. But some who think they need a facelift are actually candidates for my minimally invasive Band Aid Facelift instead. While it’s still a surgery, the Band Aid Mini Facelift uses specialized techniques and is performed in-office with gentle numbing (as well as conscious sedation if desired), and among other advantages, produces smaller scars compared to those of a traditional face lift.

Follow all pre- and post-surgical instructions closely.

While there are ways to reduce the appearance of your scars later, it’s best to help them remain as small and subtle as possible from the beginning, and one of the most important factors in the way your scar forms is how well your body heals. Many factors can affect your plastic surgery recovery, from what you’re eating and drinking to whether you’re smoking to the way you care for your incisions, and all of these will also have an impact on the appearance of your scar, so following the instructions you receive both before and after your surgery will help your body’s healing process and help your scars form as smoothly as possible. It’s also crucial to communicate any concerns you’re having about your recovery along the way, either at your scheduled follow-up appointments or simply by calling my office. Keep in mind as well that some patients are genetically more likely to have significant scarring than others, so your body’s natural responses will also affect your scars.

Protect your new scars from the sun.

Scar tissue is more sensitive to the sun than your normal skin, and sun exposure can cause your scars to darken and develop a more prominent appearance. We advise our patients to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for at least six weeks after surgery. However, keep in mind that sun exposure can also cause premature aging, so making sunscreen a part of your normal daily skincare can also help your face lift results last longer.

Consider Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing to further reduce your scar.

After you’ve healed from your surgery, certain skin treatments can be used to smooth and reduce the appearance of your skin by breaking down the old collagen and helping your body replace it with a more even texture. Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing is a minimally invasive way to do this by creating tiny treatment areas which work with your body’s natural healing process to improve the appearance of the skin around them. Beyond helping your scars to be less noticeable, this laser treatment can also enhance the results of your facelift by improving other signs of aging, like age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Scarring is a part of the fascinating way your body heals and protects you, and while that doesn’t make their appearance any more welcome, there are many ways you can make your plastic surgery scarring as minimal and subtle as possible, and you can begin this process before your procedure is even performed. To discuss how I can help you address your specific aesthetic concerns while also keeping scars to a minimum, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and other helpful information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

What Kind of Scarring Can I Expect After My Facial Plastic Surgery?

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After over twenty years of helping patients be their most confident and beautiful selves, I’m no stranger to the concerns patients have before plastic surgery. While everyone experiences their own unique set of emotions at their initial consultation, there are a few questions nearly every patient asks, like, “What kind of results will I get?”, “How long will my recovery take?” and, last but not least, “What will my scars look like?” That last question tends to weigh heavily on patients’ minds. After all, the purpose of cosmetic surgery is to help you feel more confident in your appearance, and extensive scarring could quickly lessen that effect. To give you an idea of what to expect, I’ve created a summary of my most popular facial procedures and the scars that each may cause.

Woman looking in mirrorBand Aid Facelift
One of the advantages to choosing a minimally invasive Band Aid Facelift over the traditional facelift is the ability to use a smaller incision and, as a result, leave a smaller scar. Your surgery is based on the area(s) of the face you want to target, but a Band Aid Facelift typically leaves a discreet scar above the ears, at the nape of the neck, or under the chin.

Facelift
For patients who need a more dramatic improvement than the Band Aid Facelift provides, a facelift can be the better choice. During this procedure, the incision is usually placed within the hairline and extends from the temple, around the front of the ear, and ends within the lower scalp. When performed by an experienced double board-certified plastic surgeon, the scar is typically flat, inconspicuous, and easily hidden by hair.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty and Band Aid Blepharoplasty)
When blepharoplasty is performed to minimize excess skin above the eyes, which gives the eyelid a “hooded” appearance, the incision is concealed within the natural crease of the eyelid. Lower eyelid surgery, on the other hand, is typically used to reduce “bags under the eyes.” If this only requires removal of the localized fat deposits, the incision may be made inside the lower eyelid to eliminate any visible scarring, but if sagging skin will be removed, the incision will be placed just below the lower lash line.

Band Aid Brow Lift
For patients who want to focus on rejuvenating their forehead and brow area, my Band Aid Brow Lift uses a minimized incision which is concealed within the hairline.

Rhinoplasty
Scars from nose surgery will depend on your aesthetic goals. If the procedure will focus on the underlying structure of the nose, your incision will either be made in the underside of your nose through the tissue between your nostrils, or it will be made inside your nose, leaving no visible scarring. If we will be adjusting the size of your nostrils, the incision will be placed within the natural crease of the nose.

Ear Surgery
Otoplasty improves the appearance of ears which are either too large or protrude too far outward from the head. In most cases, the procedure can be completed with a small incision in the back of the ear.

Neck Lift
For patients who are only looking for a slimming effect, liposuction can remove excess fat from the neck with just a few tiny incisions. However, for a neck lift which will also include firming the skin and repairing the underlying muscles, the incision is typically made in front of your earlobe and extends into the lower scalp. An additional small incision may also be made underneath your chin.

While every surgery will leave a scar, one of the advantages of working with a skilled and specialized facial plastic surgeon is knowing your surgeon will prioritize keeping the scar as small and discreet as possible. You can also help your incisions heal as cleanly as possible by following all post-surgical instructions carefully. To start discussing your plastic surgery and the results you can expect, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more helpful information, special offers, and news about cosmetic surgery, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.