Short Scar Facelifts

Short scar facelifts differ from traditional facelifts in the length of the scar. The short scar facelift eliminates an incision in the crease behind the ear or in the hairline behind the ear. The scar for short scar facelift is only in front of the ear (or behind the tragus cartilage) and into the temporal hairline (anterior sideburn). However, keep in mind that improvements from short scar facelifts are mainly in the cheek area, nasolabial folds and jowls. Short scar facelifts do not improve loose neck areas. They are mainly indicated for younger patients in their 30's or 40's. Older patients usually require other types of lifts which address the neck region (see other sections of website on other types of facelifts). Dr. Sam Rizk, a New York Facial Plastic Surgeon and facelift specialist, states that the short scar lift should involve lifting not only skin, but also repositioning the deeper muscle (so-called SMAS) and cheek and jowl fat pad in order to look natural and not "pulled".

It is important to note that the other types of facelifts Dr. Rizk performs, which are not considered short scar lifts also have a reduced length of the "traditional" facelift scar in front of and behind the ear. The modifications Dr. Rizk has done to the traditional facelifts are on many levels including shorter incisions, use of specialized 3D high definition telescopes to see the inside of the face better and more safely, as well as avoiding use of drains and use of tissue glues. All these modifications are designed to expedite recovery and provide a natural, long-lasting result with the shortest incisions possible. Click here for published articles on facelifts by Dr. Rizk.

Short Scar Facelift Candidates: Younger patients mainly interested in mid-facial improvement in cheek and jowl aging, rather than neck areas. This lift softens the nasolabial folds, jowls and lifts the cheek area. It is limited in its ability to correct loose and sagging neck.

Technique: Incisions are performed in front of ear and in sideburn only and this is where scars ultimately will be located. The skin is raised and deeper tissue (so called SMAS is pulled up and secured in front of ear, and excess skin is excised. The lift, as performed by Dr. Rizk, is a multi-layer lift (not just a SKIN lift).

Longevity: 5-7 years
Time: 1 hour on average
Anesthesia: Local or monitored sedation
Recovery: 3-4 days patients look presentable but minor swelling still exists, little to no bruising
Risks and complications: similar to those of traditional facelifts such as poor scarring, infection, hematoma formation and nerve injury. It is important to follow Dr. Rizk's pre and post-operative facelift instructions (see section of this website on facelift instructions) to minimize risk of complications.

Dr. Rizk will evaluate your face and neck carefully and determine if you are a good candidate for a short scar facelift. He will discuss alternatives, benefits, risks and complications of short scar facelift as well as other alternate treatments before you make an informed choice.

If Dr. Rizk feels you do not have enough loose skin or deeper tissue to lift and obtain a significant improvement, even with a short scar lift, he may recommend you wait or use alternate non-surgical treatments. Dr. Rizk may also recommend other more comprehensive partial or full lifts if your degree of aging is significant and involves the neck areas. As central to Dr. Rizk's philosophy, a CUSTOMIZED and individualized approach to each patient gives the best result.

Dr. Rizk also adds the use of tissue glues and avoids use of surgical postoperative drainage tubes to obtain a more rapid recovery with the short scar facelift (see Dr. Rizk's chapter published in the book on "Tissue Glues in Cosmetic Surgery" discussing short scar facelifts and tissue glues- in the "in the media" section of this website). Eliminating the use of drainage tubes and using medical tissue glues decreases bruising, bleeding, swelling and scarring, as well as creating a more comfortable post-surgical recovery for the patient.