Short-scar facelifts

The short-scar facelift is an emerging new technique for improving the improving the appearance of aging skin while minimizing the visibility of scars that commonly result from facelift procedures.

One of the biggest drawbacks of a traditional facelift is the unsightly scar that appears where the incision was made behind the ear or along the hairline. While they can be concealed by hair, these scars are inevitably visible from certain angles and prevent women from being able to pull their hair back. Moreover, scars in this area have a tendency to widen over time, making them more difficult to cover.

With short-scar lifts, surgical incisions are shorter in length and the scars they cause are concealed by the hair, no matter how you wear it. Dr. Sam Rizk is a board-certified specialist in the field of facial plastic surgery. With his extensive experience and knowledge, Dr. Rizk has successfully transformed the faces of hundreds of adults to date through short-scar facelifts. Dr. Rizk is constantly pushing innovation in this field, pioneering new techniques involving endoscopic 3-dimensional rhinoplasty and for sculpting cartilage.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Short-scar facelifts typically require about 20 minutes and are performed under localized anesthesia. The procedure begins with an incision made in front of the ear (but concealed by the sideburns) and along or within the temporal hairline. Once the skin is lifted, Dr. Rizk adjusts and repositions the multiple layers of the skin, tightening the deeper muscle tissues (including both the SMAS layer and the malar fat pad) and removing excess skin. By manipulating more than just the outer skin layer, Dr. Rizk is able to tighten loose skin and achieve the great possible aesthetic results. Also known for innovation and his belief in the power of technology, Dr. Rizk often employs advanced 3-dimensional scope devices that allow him to see inside the face.

Ideal Candidates

The primary aesthetic improvement provided by short-scar lift procedures is tighter skin around the middle of the face, including the cheek, jowls and nasolabial folds. One limitation of the short-scar facelift, however, is that it is less effective in addressing sagging skin around the neck. Because of this, most women who decide to undergo short-scar lifts are patients in their 30s and 40s, while patients above 60 may require other kinds of lifts for more dramatic results.

Pre-Operative Requirements

Before moving forward with the procedure, every patient must schedule an individualized, in-depth consultation with Dr. Rizk. The anatomy and medical history of each patient is highly unique and will affect how Dr. Rizk approaches the procedure to achieve the best results. During the consultation, Dr. Rizk will evaluate the patient’s health history, face and skin, along with any medications or supplements that may impact the surgical outcome. Patients should also be prepared to discuss their aesthetic goals so that he can help you achieve them. Dr. Rizk will also review the procedure with the patient, so that he or she understands what to reasonably expect from the procedure.

Recovery

Following the procedure, patients will experience some swelling, redness and bruising. These effects typically subside within three to four days, allowing the patient to return to work and resume daily activities. As with all surgical procedures, there are some risks involved. Depending on each patient, side effects may include poor scarring, infection, reactions to the anesthesia or injury to facial nerves.