A facelift is a surgery that removes skin laxity in the face while tightening and raising the skin for a more youthful look. For patients with acne scars and skin laxity, a facelift may resolve both cosmetic concerns. In this article, we’ll discuss how a facelift improves the appearance of certain types of acne scars.
Can a Facelift Get Rid of Acne Scars?
Acne scars appear in different forms, usually as depressions on the skin. In some cases, stretching out the skin can make the acne scars appear shallower and faded. In addition, skin laxity can make acne scars appear deeper. As such, a facelift that resolves skin laxity and stretches the skin can improve the appearance of acne scars.
There are a range of minimally invasive cosmetic treatments for acne scars that may be more suitable for you. However, in some cases, deeper acne scars may need to be surgically removed for optimal results. For patients with skin laxity in their cheeks and deep acne scars, a facelift could be the perfect cosmetic solution as it both removes excess skin while stretching out the remaining skin.
Facelift for Acne Scars Procedure
There are different types of facelifts that utilise different surgical techniques and treat different areas of the face. To treat acne scars, surgeons usually use the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) technique. The SMAS is the muscle layer underneath the skin. A SMAS facelift is performed by detaching the skin from the SMAS layer to lift both units of the face separately.
When treating acne scars, the surgeon will detach the deep connections that the scars have formed in the underlying tissue and redrape the skin to conceal it. For best results, surgeons can combine a facelift with energy-based treatments like Morpheus8 or CO2 laser to improve the tone and texture of the skin.
Results
After the surgery, you will notice an immediate change in the structure of your face, which will appear more defined in the absence of skin laxity. However, it may take 6-8 weeks before you can appreciate the results of your surgery, as, by this time, the post-surgical swelling will have significantly reduced.
Furthermore, you will notice continuous improvements up to nine months after the surgery and can expect results to last between nine to thirteen years. In addition, your acne scars will have considerably faded due to the effects of stretching the skin.
Cost
On average, our recommended facelift surgeons charge between £8,000 to £15,000 for a facelift procedure. The prices charged by each surgeon are reflective of their experience and expertise, the type of facelift you require, and your unique surgical needs. As each patient’s facial structure and cosmetic concerns differ, your surgeon will design a bespoke surgery during a consultation, after which you will receive the exact cost of your facelift.
Recovery
Immediately after the surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, and redness of the face. Your stitches will be removed around 5-7 days after the surgery, and side effects will diminish over two weeks after the surgery. Most patients return to work and light daily activities after two weeks and resume more strenuous activities after 3-4 weeks. For tips on a more comfortable recovery, visit our blog on how to reduce swelling after facelift surgery.
Types of Acne Scars a Facelift Can Treat
Acne is a skin condition that presents itself in many forms. Therefore, acne scars also take many forms. Listed below are the types of acne scars that a facelift can effectively treat.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars are a type of atrophic scar, which means it has healed below the surface layer of the skin. They present as round indentations on the skin, usually on the lower cheeks and jaw, and are typically larger and shallower than ice pick scars.
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are another type of atrophic scar. The scar takes the shape of an icepick, as it appears as a wide indent on the skin’s surface and narrows as it penetrates the deeper layers of the skin. Icepick scars usually appear on the forehead and upper cheeks.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars are also a type of atrophic scar that commonly appears on the lower cheeks and jaw. Similar to boxcar scars, they are shallower and larger than icepick scars. However, rolling scars have sloping edges, which gives the skin an uneven appearance.
Is a Facelift Worth It?
For patients with skin laxity in the face and acne scarring, a facelift may present a suitable two-in-one solution for resolving both cosmetic issues. A facelift is a popular treatment that many patients consider worthwhile as it tightens and lifts the skin to restore a more youthful look while also producing long-lasting results. Furthermore, it’s highly effective at making the skin in the face and neck appear taut, which can considerably improve the appearance of acne scars.