Expert Contributor
The Short Scar Facelift By Stephen J Ronan, MD, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery, Resident Since 2007
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s people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Largely due to loss of fat in the central face, there is an inevitable descent of cheek tissue that creates a depression (a hollowness of the lower lid area, fullness in the lower face, and jowling). The neck skin and muscles loosen, causing central fullness and blunt the sharp distinction of the jaw and the neck. This happens to all of us! Most patients are every day, average people with a desire to look as young as they feel. Patients want to return to work and regular activity with minimal scars and no visible signs of surgery. The traditional long scar face lift fails to address the causes of facial aging. Previous methods involved removing a large amount of skin, which makes the face tighter and flatter (more surgical and pulled looking). The long scar provides access to remove a large amount of skin. This is NOT what we want!
The short scar facelift has less risk and a shorter recovery than a traditional facelift and can be done as an outpatient. The biggest plus is a completely natural look (not pulled!). Consequently, there are many younger people that we can help who would not be candidates for the more traditional and standard looking facelift.
Many years ago I moved to a more modern facelift with a short scar. The short scar facelift can eliminate over half the scarring. There is no scar along the hairline behind the ear; which is the most troublesome part of the traditional scar. In addition, I typically replace some of the lost volume with your own natural filler, your own fat.
A facelift procedure doesn’t stop the aging process, it just sets the clock back a number of years. The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman who feels they are showing age. Most patients are in their forties and up. While a facelift can make you look younger, and more youthful, it may also enhance your self-esteem in the
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process. You will not look like a different person, just more refreshed and less tired. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or a body/ breast procedure. Ancillary procedures (skin care or laser) are common in patients both before and after surgery. If you want a facelift, it is best to see a board certified plastic surgeon. Buyer beware of ‘weekend, quick fix’ type procedures done by non-plastic surgeons. Explore the possibility of sculpting a new you.
JANUARY 2020
