By Nicholas Karter, MD — Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, specializing in the extended deep plane facelift, Karter Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, Glastonbury, CT Medically reviewed by the author. Last updated November 2026.
In most cases, facelift scars are not noticeable after a facelift because they generally heal very well. At around 6 to 12 months after surgery, most patients have only a faint white line, hidden along the hairline and in the natural creases and curves around the ear. I find 4 main factors shape the result: your genetics, the facelift technique, how you care for the incisions, and sun exposure.
What Do Facelift Scars Look Like When Fully Healed?
When healing is complete, usually 6 to 12 months after the procedure, the scar is typically a very faint white line. Because the facelift incisions are placed along the hairline and within the natural creases and curves around the ear, that line is well hidden and not noticeable to the average person.
I find several major factors influence how a scar heals. Let’s take a closer look at how each one matters.
Do genetics affect facelift scarring?
Yes, in my opinion, genetics are the most important factor affecting facelift scarring. Some people simply heal better than others.
At consultation I ask whether you have ever had hypertrophic scarring, meaning a widened, thickened scar, or keloid formation, meaning a scar that grows beyond the boundaries of the original injury. I also ask how your scars have healed in general, especially any facial scars, ear piercings, or prior incisions or injuries on your face.
Something to keep in mind, however, is that facial scars tend to heal much better than scars elsewhere on the body. A poor scar on your knee or shoulder doesn’t necessarily mean your facelift scars will heal poorly, but it is something I consider when planning your care.
Does the type of facelift change how scars heal?
It does, and this is one of the many reasons I choose to perform the extended deep plane facelift. In this style of facelift, the SMAS and platysma are fully released before being repositioned back where they belong. Anchoring these structures tension free means that the incisions also have little to no tension on them while healing.
Low tension gives the skin its best chance to heal as invisibly as possible. Some facelift styles require greater tension on the SMAS and platysma at the end of the procedure, and that tension can be transferred to the skin incisions. Persistent tension on an incision can lead to a wider, more noticeable scar.
How should you care for facelift scars?
Care for facelift scars by following a structured incision care routine early on, then transitioning to scar-supporting products and professional laser treatments as healing progresses. Every one of our facelift patients receives a postoperative care kit with everything needed for optimal incision healing, including hydrogen peroxide, Aquaphor®, and Fade, our private-label scar gel. Additionally, we perform CO2 laser resurfacing to the scar at specific intervals after the procedure to maximize scar healing.
- Weeks 0–2: Incision cleaning with hydrogen peroxide followed by Aquaphor placement. No scar gel or sunscreen on the incisions yet. (The full routine is in our Top Tips for Facelift Recovery guide.
- Week 2 through month 6: Apply our private-label silicone scar gel, Fade, which is included in the kit, as well as sunscreen.
- At 6 weeks and 3 months, CO2 laser resurfacing of the scars is built into the standard postoperative care schedule. This laser is very effective at blending scars into the surrounding skin, making them very difficult to see.
I strongly encourage good incision care; it’s one of the postoperative factors you have the most control over and directly affects optimal healing and results.
Can sun exposure make facelift scars worse?
Yes. UV radiation can discolor healing scars, so unprotected sun exposure can lead to a worse result. I recommend sunscreen on the facelift scars whenever you are outdoors for the first 6 months after surgery, once the initial 2-week healing window has passed.
What’s the Bottom Line on Facelift Scars?
The bottom line is that facelift scars generally heal very well. Setting genetics aside, our patients tend to have excellent scar results for 2 main reasons: the surgical technique leaves very little tension on the incisions, and the postoperative care schedule is comprehensive, with multiple steps designed specifically to improve scar healing. To see how the rest of recovery unfolds, read When Will I Look Normal Again After a Facelift?
Facelift Scar FAQ
Will my facelift scars be noticeable?
Generally, no. Six to 12 months after surgery, most patients have a very faint white line hidden along the hairline and in the natural creases around the ear.
How long do facelift scars take to heal?
Scars usually reach their final appearance 6 to 12 months after the procedure.
What affects how well facelift scars heal?
Four main things affect how well scars heal: your genetics, the facelift technique used, how well you care for the incisions post-op, and how well you protect the scars from the sun.
I’ve had a keloid or a thick scar before. Can I still have a facelift?
Yes, it’s still possible. Tell your surgeon about any history of hypertrophic scarring or keloids. Facial scars generally heal better than scars elsewhere on the body, so a poor scar on another part of the body doesn’t necessarily predict a poor facelift scar, but it is something your surgeon will take into account. There are additional medications and precautions that can be taken in patients with a history of poor scar healing.
Does a deep plane facelift leave better scars?
Yes, a deep plane facelift can lead to better scar healing because the technique repositions tissue with little to no tension on the skin. Tension on incisions is a known cause of wider scars, so reducing it gives the skin the best chance to heal as invisibly as possible.
How do you reduce facelift scars after surgery?
You can reduce facelift scars after surgery through careful incision care, a silicone scar gel starting at 2 weeks, CO2 laser resurfacing at 6 weeks and 3 months, and sunscreen on the scars for the first 6 months.
Considering a Facelift in Glastonbury or the Greater Hartford Area?
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon serving Glastonbury, Hartford, Wethersfield, Avon, and Farmington, CT, I encourage deep plane facelift and deep plane neck lift patients to meet with me to discuss their goals and history with scarring. I welcome you to request a consultation at Karter Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery by completing the online form or calling our practice at (860) 775-5595.
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