A short-scar facelift (or “minimal–incision facelift”) is a lift that repositions the skin and soft tissues of the face that have been affected by the aging process. The principle difference between a short-scar lift and other, traditional facelifts is that the short-scar lift features a significantly reduced scar burden. The scarring in the crease behind the ear, and in the hairline behind the ear, is largely or completely eliminated.
The scarring associated with a facelift, often the scar in the crease behind the ear is the most objectionable to the patient. This is because scarring in this area has a higher tendency to widen and thicken compared to the scarring in other areas of the face.
When scars are placed in the hair behind the ear, there is almost always a permanent change in the hairline, and the hair must be styled to camouflage for this area.
Finally, when a Dr. Yalamanchi South Florida Short Scar patient wears her hair in a pony-tail, French twist or styles it backward or “up” scarring in the crease behind the ear and in the area between the crease and the hairline, can be quite visible.
By minimizing or elimating the scarring in these areas, the most objectionable scarring of a facelift is reduced or eliminated.
The incisions (and ultimately the scars) for a short-scar lift begin in the temporal hair and extend downward, in front of the ear to the earlobe. Sometimes the incision can extend behind the earlobe or slightly behind the ear.
The choice of placing the scar in the crease, just in front of the ear itself, is determined by individual patients’ anatomy.
An alternative incision is to place the incision along the temporal hairline, rather than the temporal hair, in order to minimize the incision at the earlobe area and minimize distortion of the sideburn.