Facelifts are designed to improve a person’s physical appearance, but many people who undergo the procedure are concerned about the scarring that may follow. You may not know that a facelift actually involves one of several different types of procedures. Some options for facelift procedures include:

Types of facelift procedures

Traditional Full Facelift: This procedure is the most extensive and covers a very large area of a person’s face. Most often, a full facelift is used to help individuals in their 50s and 60s hide the signs of aging.

• Medium facelift: During this procedure, the surgeon will tighten the tissues under the person's eyes and around the cheeks to lift the muscles. These procedures are often chosen by people in their 30s and 40s who want a more youthful appearance but not as noticeable as full facelift candidates.
• Mini Facelift: This procedure involves small incisions and typically includes the person’s jawline, lower cheeks, and neck. Many mini facelifts are performed endoscopically, which means there are very few scars. Mini facelifts are almost always chosen by individuals who are just beginning to show signs of aging.
• Lower Facelift: This procedure focuses on the lower portion of a person’s face. Like all other types of facelift, the plastic surgeon will make an incision around the area. Patients of all ages who want to look younger frequently choose this option.
• Thread lift: This procedure is much less invasive than other types of facelifts. The plastic surgeon will place small stitches under the skin to lift the muscles in a person’s face. This procedure is often chosen by patients in their 30s and 40s who want to make small changes to their appearance.

Regardless of the procedure chosen, many patients wonder if there will be noticeable scarring after a facelift.

Tips to avoid facial scars

Tip #1 - Take steps before surgery to avoid excessive scarring.

Quit smoking: Patients with a history of smoking should consider quitting smoking for six weeks prior to surgery. Because smoking interferes with the oxygenation process, it affects the health of the skin.

Maintain a healthy diet: A diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E helps promote wound healing. Also try to include iron-rich foods such as beans, beef, green leafy vegetables, and turkey. It is also wise to eat foods that are high in zinc such as eggs, garlic, shrimp, and spinach. A good diet can help prepare the body for the stresses of surgery.

Consider genetics and skin color: Genes and skin color affect scarring and cannot be modified. In general, darker skin may lead to more noticeable scars.

Tip 2 - Follow aftercare instructions

Follow medical advice: The doctor performing your facelift will provide vital instructions on how to care for your wounds after surgery. One of the most important precautions is to avoid sleeping in a way that irritates the incisions and the surrounding area. Another tip is to avoid strenuous activities until your body heals.

Tip 3 - Avoid the sun

Use Sunscreen: Take precautions to avoid exposing your facelift scars to the sun. Be sure to use a sunscreen with UV protection if sun exposure is unavoidable. Wear a hat to shade your facial incisions or better yet, use NewGel+UV which contains SPF 30 mineral sunscreen to help prevent scar pigmentation and discoloration from the sun’s harmful rays.

Tip 4 - Use antibiotic cream

Preventing infection: There are several types of creams that can greatly help reduce the appearance of facelift scars. Your doctor may prescribe a cream to reduce the chances of infection. Some facelift incision creams are available over the counter, but check with your doctor before using such products.

Tip 5 - Massage the scars

Improves circulation: Massage is effective because it increases blood circulation. The delivery of oxygen, nutrients and specialized cells supports the development of healthy new tissue.

Tip 6 - Stop Smoking

Promote Healing: Anyone who smokes should stop after a facelift. Smoking impairs the body’s ability to distribute oxygen throughout the body. Instead of helping the body heal, blood cells become occupied with carbon monoxide, which is deadly and delays the healing process.



Tip 7 - Use silicone products

Speed up healing: Topical silicone products can help speed up the healing process. The silicone barrier keeps bacteria out but retains beneficial moisture, creating a microenvironment where the skin heals better, with less scarring. To find the right silicone product, browse the NewGel+ range of silicone gel treatments. NewGel+E is an invisible topical gel and there are also NewGel+ silicone gel sheets and strips specifically designed to treat typical facelift scars. All are recognised as being effective in fading and flattening scars. We also have NewGel+UV which contains SPF 30 mineral sunscreen to help prevent scar pigmentation and discolouration from the sun’s harmful rays.

By following these natural tips and using products like NewGel+, you can help your skin heal more effectively and reduce the appearance of facelift scars.