Scarring After a Neck Lift
A neck lift involves tightening neck muscles while removing excess skin and fat from the area. Unfortunately, doing this isn’t possible without making incisions in the skin, and these incisions lead to scarring. Scarring is a normal part of the healing process, and it’s one that plastic surgeons know how to minimize. They also know where to hide scars so that, until they fade, no one but you will know about them.
Typical Scar Locations for a Neck Lift
The scars from a neck lift typically reside behind the ears. They may be several centimeters long and curve around the ear and into the hairline. The hairline and the natural crease behind the ear both camouflage these scars extremely well. Sometimes an additional incision under the chin is required, particularly when liposuction or muscle tightening are necessary. When needed, this incision is about one to two centimeters long and tucked back in the chin crease.
When combining a neck lift and facelift, surgeons must sometimes make their incision along the front crease of the ear where it meets the face and then up into the hairline. Although not as discreet as an incision tucked behind the ears, this incision is still well hidden within the natural contours of the body and not easily visible upon maturation.
The Scar Healing Process: What to Expect Over Time
When your incision heals and the scab falls off, you may not like the scar left behind. In this moment, it’s important to remember that the scar you see today is not the same one you will carry with you moving forward. Scars fade and lighten over time, often becoming all but invisible. Here is what you can expect and when:
- Initial Healing Phase (Weeks 1-2): Your scars are brand new now and the most visible they will ever be. They may look very red, and they may be swollen and raised.
- Scar Maturation Phase (Weeks 3-8): As your body continues to heal, your scars will fade from red to pink. The swelling will abate, and the scars will begin to flatten.
- Long-Term Healing (Months 3-12): As the year goes on, your scars will continue to lighten until they match the surrounding skin color. They will also flatten to the same elevation as your other skin.
Factors That Influence Scar Appearance
The timeline above is a general guide to scar healing but remember that everyone is different. Several factors can influence a scar’s appearance. They include:
- Genetics and family history of hypertrophic and keloid scarring
- Skin tone, with darker skin being more prone to visible scars
- Skin thickness, with thicker skin more prone to scarring
- Age, with older skin more likely to scar
- Surgical technique
- Post-op incision and scar care
Tips for Minimizing Neck Lift Scars
Fortunately, you’re not helpless when it comes to surgical scarring. There are many things you can do to minimize the appearance of your scars and encourage fading, such as:
- Keeping your incision clean and dry while it’s healing
- Avoiding direct sun exposure when the incision is new and until the scar color matches the surrounding skin
- Applying silicone sheets or gels to the scar to help soften and flatten it
- Learning and practicing proper scar massage techniques
Embracing Your New Look: Long-Term Scar Care and Confidence
Skilled plastic surgeons are experts at hiding and minimizing scars, but it’s important to understand that they’re a natural part of the healing process. You can’t eliminate them completely and need to have realistic expectations in that regard.
The first step toward accepting your scars is patience. It can take a full year for a scar to fade completely, so a scar that bothers you now may be virtually invisible in a few months. The next step is focusing on how much your appearance has improved. You’re the only one likely to see a scar hidden behind your ear or tucked under your chin. Everyone else will see a youthful, beautifully contoured neck.
If your scars are still bothering you after a year, or if you have concerns about how they’re healing, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free virtual consultation. We will be happy to take a look at your scars and, if necessary, discuss scar management and treatment options that might help you.