Short-Scar Facelift | Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center

Benefits of a short-scar facelift

Similar to a mini facelift, or mini rhytidectomy, the short-scar facelift offers patients a wide range of benefits. Short scar facelift employs incisions that run from the hairline at the top of the ear to the skin in front of the ear and ends at the ear’s base.

Recovery time for the short-scar face procedure is considerably less lengthy and painful than other types of traditional cosmetic procedures commonly performed to address the signs of facial aging. Some plastic surgeons term the short-scar lift the “weekend” facelift, due to the brief time spent in surgery and recovery.

The short-scar facelift is an effective procedure designed to address localized facial issues, such as deep-set wrinkles between the corners of the mouth and the nose. If you’re ready to reclaim your youth and you seek a permanent way to achieve smooth, firm skin, contact us to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today.

Short-scar facelift vs. traditional facelift

There are several available forms of facial rejuvenation, among which include the traditional facelift, or rhytidectomy, and the short-scar facelift. The four primary differences between these two types of facelifts are the facial areas of focus, the time required for recovery, the duration of the procedure, and the length of the surgical incision. To determine which type of cosmetic surgery best accommodates your facial surgery goals, contact Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center.

Areas of focus

A short-scar facelift can provide definition to the neck and jawline for patients with a mild-to-moderate degree of loose skin. Patients with a greater amount of excess skin may require additional procedures, such as facial liposuction, to achieve adequate neck refinement. Short-scar facelifts also address issues in the underlying skin and muscle layers.

Our plastic surgeon in Gainesville, Dr. Richard Nesmith, uses sutures to provide support for the underlying layer of muscle, which helps lift a sagging jawline and other tissues. Patients with a significant amount of loose neck skin may benefit from a traditional facelift, which remains the plastic surgery industry-standard for restoring a youthful neck contour. With the traditional facelift procedure, the skin is positioned at an upward angle to create a defined jawline and increase cheek volume.

Time to recover

With regard to post-surgical downtime, the facelift and short-scar facelift feature similar durations required for a full recovery. While the external scar of the short-scar facelift may be smaller in size than that of a traditional facelift, extensive surgery and excision may be performed during either technique.

In general, patients who undergo either form of facelift surgery may require 1-2 weeks for the dissipation of any resulting bruising and swelling and for complete recovery of the surgical site. To determine your prospective recovery time from facial cosmetic surgery, consult our plastic surgery clinic.

Duration of surgery

A traditional facelift is a highly comprehensive procedure that typically requires multiple hours (3-4 hours) to perform due to the greater number of incisions as well as the extensive surgical technique required to adequately redefine the patient’s facial features and tighten the skin.

Short-scar facelift, however, is generally less extensive in nature than the traditional forms of facelift surgery and they may require 1-3 hours to perform. The duration of a patient’s surgical procedure typically reflects the degree to which facial rejuvenation is required.

To learn more about the differences between a facelift and a short-scar facelift, or for more information about the wide range of plastic surgery procedures offered at our surgical clinic, contact us today.

Length of the incision

The short-scar facelift, as the name implies, is performed through a smaller-size incision than with the traditional facelift. While the traditional facelift features an incision that begins at the hairline, progresses in front of the ear, and curves behind the ear and into the neck hairline, the short-scar incision starts at the sideburn and passes in front of the ear but does not curve behind the ear.

The minimally invasive nature of short-scar facelift results in less overall scarring as a result of surgery, whereas — depending on the patient’s requirements — the facelift may require plastic surgery for scars to reduce the appearance of resulting scarring.

What to expect from a limited-incision facelift

Before any short scar facelift, our plastic surgeon meets with each patient during a comprehensive consultation to help patients make the best decisions regarding their desired aesthetic from plastic surgery.
During the consultation, our Gainesville plastic surgeons will:

Inquire about the patient’s full medical history
Ask about current medications, supplements, and vitamins
Inquire about current use or history of use of alcohol and tobacco
Examine the face and neck
Evaluate the degree of skin elasticity, volume, and muscle tone within and surrounding the intended surgical site
Discuss surgical techniques and potential risks of a short-scar facelift

Short-scar facelift procedure

This aesthetic plastic surgery procedure is generally performed while the patient is put under either local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The type of sedation used during the surgery depends upon the medical requirements and general preferences of the patient.

During facial cosmetic surgery, facial tissue is separated from surrounding muscle and fat and excess fat may either be trimmed away or suctioned from the face, neck, and chin to provide a sleek and seamless contour.

Dr. Nesmith will then tighten the facial muscles and the overlying skin and remove any excess skin from the mid-to-lower facial region. Thereafter, the layers of tissue are then secured with sutures and any required bandages to help facilitate the healing process.

Short-scar facelift recovery

Following face surgery, patients generally require 1-2 weeks for a full recovery. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities, alcohol, steam rooms, and saunas, among other activities and items which may prevent the surgical site from properly healing.

During the consultation, our plastic surgeon will provide patients with a comprehensive list of items and tasks to avoid during the recovery phase of facial surgery, in addition to any prescriptions for medications to take prior to or following the surgery. For more

information about the recovery process following limited-incision facelift or to schedule a consultation for plastic and reconstructive surgery, contact us today.

Who is a candidate for a short-scar facelift?

The most effective way to determine candidacy for undergoing a short-scar facelift is by scheduling a consultation with Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center. The short-scar facelift is highly popular with patients who range from 30 to 60 years of age.

This procedure is also commonly performed with patients who seek improvement or rejuvenation of an initial facelift procedure. Best candidates are those who:

Are goal-oriented towards a positive outcome
Have good overall health
Are emotionally secure and stable
Understand the limits of the procedure and the risks involved
Have realistic expectations
Understand the requirements of maintaining the final result

To determine whether you are a candidate for a short-scar facelift, contact our plastic surgery center.

Risks of short-scar facelift surgery

As with all plastic surgery procedures, realistic expectations for a short-scar facelift are paramount to successful results. It’s important to meet with Dr. Nesmith for a consultation and be completely honest about your expectations for the procedure. Doing so can help reduce risks of the procedure while also limiting possible side effects. The most common risks and side effects associated with a short-scar facelift include the following: