If you want to restore a more youthful appearance and reduce sagging around your nose, mouth, and chin, a face lift can be the solution. Face lifts raise and tighten the tissue, undoing what age and lost elasticity can cause. One of the concerns that may be holding you back is scarring – will you have noticeable scars after a face lift? The answer is generally no, and to help ensure this, Dr. Ortiz, our renowned board-certified plastic surgeon in Raleigh, is sharing some tips to reduce scarring after a face lift.
How Is a Face Lift Performed?
First, to understand where the scars are located and what to expect, it’s important to understand how the procedure is performed. Incisions are made at the temples, and moving down the side of the face, near the ear, and around the hairline, ending at the base of the scalp. Fat and tissue is redistributed and sculpted while lifting the deep layers of muscle. The skin is smoothed back toward the incisions and excess tissue is removed. Then, the incisions are closed using small, precise sutures.
Because the incisions are small and narrow, they often heal to be virtually invisible after a few months. Also, the location of the incision plays a role in their visibility. By placing them around the hairline and ear, they blend in with the skin and can help conceal them.
How to Minimize Scarring After a Face Lift
Now that you understand how a face lift is performed and what you can expect regarding scars, let’s look at what you can do, both before and after the procedure to maximize your healing and minimize the look of scars.
Stop Smoking, Vaping, and Using Tobacco
We can’t stress enough how important it is to stop using tobacco products and vaping for at least six weeks before and after a cosmetic procedure. Nicotine, including smoking and vaping, constricts the blood vessels, and this prevents blood flow from fully reaching the incision areas. This doesn’t just slow down healing and worsen scarring. Poor circulation caused by nicotine can lead to infection, blood clots, and even cause tissue necrosis.
Wear Sunscreen and Avoid Sun Exposure
As tissue heals and scar tissue forms, it’s very sensitive to sunlight and UV rays. It can burn more quickly and continued exposure to the sun can cause the tissue to discolor and thicken. This will cause any scars to stand out against your face and be more obvious.
Avoid UV rays when you can for at least six months. However, we know that keeping your face completely out of the sun is impossible in day-to-day activities. Wear a wide-brimmed hat when you go out and use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 each day to block out UVA and UVB rays
Use a High-Quality Facial Moisturizer
Keeping your skin hydrated and supple will improve healing and minimize the look of scars. We can recommend a proper facial moisturizer that will be gentle on healing skin while effectively moisturizing.
Eat a Healthy, Nutritious Diet
Avoiding and minimizing scarring is dependent on your incisions healing properly and nourishing your body with proper vitamins and minerals will aid this process. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while minimizing processed foods and sugar will give your body the nutrients it needs to improve healing.
Drink Plenty of Water
Just like keeping your skin moisturized on the outside, you need to stay hydrated to moisturize your skin from the inside. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will keep your skin supple and minimize the look of scars as it heals.
Choose an Experienced, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your scars won’t be visible. A knowledgeable surgeon, like Dr. Ortiz, will place the incisions in such a way that they will be nearly invisible and will do everything in their power to make sure you are thrilled with the results.
Schedule a Consultation at Our Plastic Surgery Center in Raleigh Today
If you would like to learn more about whether a face lift is right for you, schedule a consultation at North Raleigh Plastic Surgery. Dr. Ortiz will sit down with you and explain the procedure, what you can expect, and discuss if this is the right option for you. Call us today at 919-532-2270 or fill out the form below to get started.
