Now that you have received your facelift in Toronto, you may wonder how to obtain the best, most natural-looking results. Each client desires to have a flawless result without any noticeable incision marks.
The hallmark of a successful facelift is a youthful, rejuvenated appearance. Scars must be hidden well enough that they are not highly visible. So, how can you reduce scarring and have the look you have always dreamed of?
Why does a scar form after cosmetic surgery?
Scars are the body’s natural response to healing. They occur when tissues start to repair themselves—a scar forms when the dermis (deep layer of your skin) becomes damaged. In this case, the body’s natural response is to create new collagen fibres to repair the skin, generating a scar.
Since the procedure requires incisions made in the dermis, there will inevitably be some scarring. Yet, your facelift surgeon in Toronto will take extensive care to ensure scarring remains almost undetectable by hiding incisions within your natural creases or in less visible places.
Can anything go wrong?
While facelift scars are concealed within the hairline and ears, they are only 1 mm thick and may have some pigment variations upon close inspection. They are generally not darkened or raised. Scars in a facelift are hardly noticeable as they are so well concealed.
However, deep scars will interrupt muscle movement since they generate restrictive tight bonds tying the tissue together. This phenomenon is rare during a professional facelift and typically results from burns or injury.
Darkened scars happen apart from textural change. Scars can develop a dark pigment if exposed to UV rays while healing. During the first year, your skin is prone to the damaging effects of the sun if left unprotected. Tans over incisions create long-term tissue darkening.
Delayed healing and infections cause darker and more prominent scars. Smokers or those with poor circulation may discover slow tissue growth, increasing their chances for infection. Furthermore, any irritation to the edges of a scar can cause more visible, tougher scars.
How can you reduce scarring?
Several treatment options exist to reduce scars from being noticeable after cosmetic surgery. Treatments depend on the age or severity of your scar.
1. Wound care
Proper wound care while recovering is the most effective way to reduce scarring. Regularly clean your incisions and ensure they remain clean, wear sunscreen after healing, and change your bandages as instructed. These steps will encourage the skin to heal correctly.
2. Regular, gentle cleansing
Even though the skin may feel inflamed, keep its appearance bright and clean by gentle washing daily. When your surgeon permits it, begin with cotton pads soaked in a mild astringent. Avoid vigorous scrubbing or pressing. Do not put on makeup or products that are difficult to remove.
3. Select proper makeup
While you may be anxious to hide residual bruising, you must wait until it is safe to use certain products. The concern regarding makeup is its chance of entering an unhealed incision and the challenges of removing it.
After two weeks post-surgery, the incisions are generally closed. Clients can, with permission, apply makeup on their faces. Skin that isn’t irritated or broken responds best to light-coverage mineral-based makeup. Selecting concealer and foundation with a base in yellow or orange can hide blue-tinged bruising, while green masks any redness.
Also, protect scars with quality sunblock to avoid scarring and to keep them light-coloured.
4. Moisturize your body and face
Moisturizers should be gentle, perfume-free and non-comedogenic. They should also be applied to a clean face. Clients should drink plenty of water to maintain fluid balance and hydrate their tissues. Well-moisturized skin protects itself, heals better, and maintains better elasticity.
5. Steroid injections
Steroid injections flatten raised scars, providing a smoother look. An expert delivers a series of these injections to achieve clients’ desired results.
6. Topical treatments
Topical treatments aren’t entirely effective, yet some clients do experience success in reducing the appearance of scar tissue. Vitamin E and cocoa butter can treat minor scarring well.
7. Microdermabrasion and dermabrasion
Dermabrasion uses a specialized tool to remove the skin’s rough surfaces. It smooths the skin while encouraging the growth of new tissue. This method is best for any facial scarring.
If you have minor scarring, microdermabrasion can blend and smooth scar tissue in the surrounding skin. This procedure is gentler and less invasive than receiving dermabrasion.
8. Scar revision surgery
Scar revision surgery reduces scarring after cosmetic surgery. While different techniques exist, many decrease scarring by surgically removing the scar and joining the surrounding tissue to minimize the appearance of a new scar.
Revision scars are hidden within your natural creases or zig-zag incisions, helping to blend your scar with the surrounding tissue. This treatment is best for prominent scars or ones that are raised, large, too long/wide, or poorly healed.
9. Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing removes your skin’s superficial layers, similar to dermabrasion. Lasers penetrate your skin to stimulate collagen regrowth without removing the skin’s upper layers.
10. Micro-needling
Micro-needling creates many micro-holes in the skin. Healing works by stimulating the production of collagen to reduce scars. Collagen stimulators are often added during the treatment to enhance results.
What factors impact scarring?
Some factors that affect scarring are:
- Chemical interference (smoking) and medications that inhibit healing
- Nutrition
- Activity level
- Sun exposure
- Wound irritation and infection
- Incision location
- General health
Contact Solomon Facial Plastic for a Facelift in Toronto
If you follow our tips and adhere to your surgeon’s instructions, scarring can be minimalized. Generally, the surgeon will strategically place incisions in less noticeable areas when doing facelifts. However, the best results will ultimately coincide with strict adherence to what is best for your complexion.
If you have any questions regarding your deep plane facelift in Toronto, contact Solomon Facial Plastic, and we will assist you in addressing your concerns. As well, if you have scars from a facelift, reach out to one of our experts for available solutions.
To see how we can best assist you, contact us at our two convenient locations: 416-864-6100 (Toronto) and 855-519-2799 (Vaughan). Clients can also complete our online form requesting more information.
Jan 21st 2025
