Facial Surgery: Short Scar Face Lift

Short Scar Face-lift or "S" Lift

Definition: Rejuvenation of the lower face from the temples to the lower neck utilizing a short scar from the top of the ear in front to half the vertical length of the skin behind the ear.

How does this differ from a standard Face-lift?

Picture 1: Traditional facelift scar

Picture 2: Short scar facelift scar.

The main difference is the length of the scar. The scar does not extend into the scalp above the ear, avoiding the risk of hair loss or bald areas in this part of the scalp. In addition, in the region behind the ear, the scar stops in the crease. It does not cross the hairless skin behind the ear which often leads to a thickened scar and it does not extend into the scalp behind the ear with a risk of hair loss and the possibility of altering or raising the hair-line. (Pic. 1)

Another advantage is that the stitches are absorbable and that no staples are required (as in a standard face-lift). The recovery is faster with less bruising. Because there is less elevation of the skin there is less "dead-space" and less risk of fluid or blood collecting under the skin which delays healing. (Pic. 2)

Age: From 30 years old and up. This lift is generally more appropriate for the younger facelift patient in her 40's to 50's but can be applied to suitable patients in their 60's.

Surgical technique: The facial and neck skin is elevated. Fat is suctioned from the jowls and under the chin only if necessary. If there are muscle bands (platysmal bands) under the chin, they are brought together with stitches through an incision in the crease under the chin. The Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS) - a layer of tissue connected to the muscles in the face- is tightened. The cheek fat is re-elevated to a youthful level thus recreating the cheek highlights. Incisions are placed inside and behind the ear so that the patient can wear the hair up. The sideburn is left in its youthful position.

Philosophy: Face-lifting techniques are constantly moving in the direction of being less traumatic and a quicker recovery. This is not a weekend facelift. Week-end facelifts last for a weekend! Nor is the short scar facelift any less expensive than a standard lift. However it can be thought of as the executive facelift for those on the run and with limited time to take out of their hectic business or social schedule. Surgical time and recovery: Surgery takes about 2-3 hours. Stitches are out after 9 days. The patient can go back to work at 10-14 days.

Related procedures: The most frequent related procedures are blepharoplasty and brow-lift. Blepharoplasty is usually performed in the lower lid through a trans-conjunctival or internal incision. Fat is removed sparingly from the upper and lower lid. Brow lifting is done with an endoscopic approach using three small incisions to visualize the corrugator muscles which cause the frown lines. The muscles are partially removed. The brow is released and then elevated and is then fixed in an elevated position using Endotine implants (Nancy link to Endotine Brow Lift page)