Well-placed facelift scars look like fine, flat lines that follow the natural creases around your ears and under your chin. Once healed, they are typically very difficult to spot. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon at Koch and Carlisle, Dr. Cody Koch designs every incision with 2 goals in mind: placing it where it’s least likely to be seen and helping it heal as smoothly as possible. In this post, he answers common questions about facelift scars.
Will Facelift Scars Be Visible?
Facelift scars are usually well concealed because the incisions are placed in the natural creases of the face and within the hair of the scalp. For a deep plane facelift, the incision typically begins in the hairline at the temple, follows the contour in front of the ear, and continues behind the ear.
A neck lift uses an incision just behind the ear and, in some cases, a small incision in the crease beneath the chin. Because these incisions follow curves and folds that already exist, the eye reads them as part of your natural anatomy rather than a surgical mark.
How Does Skin Tension Affect Facelift Scars?
I find that minimizing tension on the skin is the most important factor in creating a nearly imperceptible scar. When the skin itself is pulled tight to lift the face, the incision is under constant strain as it heals. That strain can cause a scar to widen or stretch, and it also contributes to the overly pulled look associated with older facelift techniques.
My approach places the tension where it belongs: in the deeper layers. I lift and reposition the underlying muscle and connective tissue of the face and neck, including the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system). These deep layers hold the lift, allowing the skin to be redraped without tension. Skin that isn’t under strain typically heals well, leaving a fine, flat scar.
Does Facelift Incision Length Vary?
Yes, the length of the incisions around the ears depends on how much excess skin needs to be removed. More loose skin requires a longer incision, while patients with mild to moderate laxity may be candidates for our mini facelift (S-Lift), which uses a shorter incision and leaves the hairline intact.
How Do Facelift Scars Change as They Heal?
Facelift incisions are most noticeable in the first few weeks and gradually soften and fade over the following months. Sutures are often removed during the first week, and by the 2- to 3-month mark, scars have typically softened considerably. Protecting your skin from the sun and following your postoperative instructions support smoother healing.
This realistic facelift recovery timeline shares a stage-by-stage view of what to expect.
How Can I See Real Facelift Results?
You can view real Koch & Carlisle patient outcomes in our facelift before-and-after gallery. Because a facelift addresses the lower two-thirds of the face, many of our patients also choose to combine their procedure with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) or a brow lift, as part of a total facial rejuvenation plan customized to their anatomy and goals.
While combining procedures requires additional incisions, I plan them with the same care, placing them in natural creases and contours, so they blend in as they heal. Treating the face as a whole creates results that look naturally refreshed and balanced.
What’s Next?
During your consultation at our West Des Moines practice, Dr. Cody Koch will evaluate your skin and facial structure, show you where your incisions would be placed, and recommend the facial rejuvenation approach that fits your goals. To get started, request a consultation at Koch & Carlisle by completing the online form or calling us at (515) 277-5555.
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