Scarring is one of the first things patients ask about when they begin thinking about a facelift. No one wants visible reminders of surgery, and understandably so. The good news is that modern facelifts performed at Aesthetic Surgery Center in Naples, FL, are very different from the procedures people remember from decades ago. Long, noticeable facelift scars and an unnatural “pulled” look are no longer the norm. Today, advanced procedures like the UpLift™ Lower Face and Neck Lift allow for natural-looking rejuvenation with incisions carefully hidden in discreet locations.
At Aesthetic Surgery Center, our facelift philosophy is unique. Our signature UpLift™ Lower Face and Neck Lift serves as the foundation, improving the jawline, lower cheeks, and neck with a deep yet natural lift. For patients seeking total facial rejuvenation, it can be combined with an endoscopic brow lift and endoscopic midface lift. Together, these three procedures create what the practice defines as a true “full facelift” — addressing the forehead, midface, and lower face for balanced results. Unlike traditional facelifts, which only improve the lower third of the face, this comprehensive approach rejuvenates all three facial zones for a more balanced, natural result.
Knowing where facelift scars are placed and how they typically heal can help patients feel more comfortable and confident about recovery. With the right surgical approach, recovery guidance, and the expertise of experienced surgeons like Dr. Anurag Agarwal, Dr. Casey Holmes, and their team, patients can expect scars that fade beautifully and become barely noticeable over time.
5 Things to Know About Facelift Scars and Healing
- Modern facelift incisions are carefully hidden in natural creases or hairlines.
- The UpLift™ Facelift creates natural results with discreet scars.
- A “full facelift” at ASC combines the UpLift™, brow lift, and midface lift.
- Scars improve gradually, with most healing as fine, white lines within 6–12 months.
- Expert care, proper aftercare, and minimally invasive techniques all help scars heal well.
What Is an UpLift™ Facelift at Aesthetic Surgery Center?
The UpLift™ Lower Face and Neck Lift was developed by Dr. Anurag Agarwal as a refined, deeper technique that avoids many of the drawbacks of traditional facelifts. While most people assume a facelift improves the entire face, the reality is that a traditional facelift only addresses the lower third of the face — the jawline and sometimes the neck. It does not rejuvenate the forehead or cheeks. The UpLift™ Lower Face and Neck Lift lifts the lower cheek vertically, the jowls/jawline, and the neck.
- Focus only on the lower face: No significant change in the lower cheek/midface
- Longer scars and less concealed: Traditional facelifts often involve extended temporal incisions and postauricular hairline incisions. Incisions for the UpLift™ Lower Face and Neck Lift are concealed within the sideburn, around the ears and then into the postauricular hair.
- Less natural results: Older techniques could create a “pulled” or windswept look due to the less vertical nature of the lift.
The UpLift™ Facelift improves on this by:
- Using a vertical suspension technique that repositions muscle and tissue rather than pulling skin horizontally.
- Carefully placing incisions around the ears and sometimes under the chin, where they are well hidden.
- Providing a natural, refreshed appearance that avoids the artificial look associated with older facelift methods.
When combined with an endoscopic brow lift (upper face) and an endoscopic midface lift (cheeks), the UpLift™ becomes part of a comprehensive facelift strategy that rejuvenates all three zones of the face.
Where Are Facelift Incisions Placed?
Understanding incision placement helps patients anticipate where scars will be located. Each type of lift is designed to minimize visible scarring.
- UpLift™ Facelift (Lower Face and Neck): Incisions are made around the natural contours of the ears and sometimes beneath the chin. These areas naturally disguise scars as they heal.
- Endoscopic Midface Lift: Small incisions are made behind the hairline at the temples, upper forehead and inside the mouth. Because they are tiny and hidden, scarring is minimal.
- Endoscopic Brow Lift: Short incisions are placed behind the hairline above the forehead. Once healed, they are barely visible and often concealed by hair.
This combination approach means scars are strategically distributed and concealed, allowing patients to enjoy comprehensive results without the tradeoff of visible scarring.
Before & After Photos
* Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Facelift Scar Healing Timeline
Every facelift patient wants to know how scars will change over time. While healing varies from person to person, there are common stages most patients can expect. Scars typically fade steadily, becoming softer and less noticeable as recovery progresses.
Week 1
- Scars are fresh with sutures in place.
- Bruising and swelling peak during this stage.
- Patients may feel tightness around incision areas, which is normal.
Early Healing Phase
Weeks 2-3
- Sutures are removed between 1 and 2 weeks post-operatively.
- Scars are still red or pink but are already beginning to flatten.
- Swelling and bruising diminish, and many patients feel comfortable using light makeup to conceal any discoloration, but this should only be done with the surgeon’s approval.
Visible Improvement Phase
1–3 Months
- The healing process accelerates.
- Scars soften in texture and fade from red to pink.
- By three months, scars begin to blend more naturally with surrounding skin and hairline.
- Most patients feel confident returning fully to work and social activities.
Active Healing Phase
6–12 Months
- Scars continue to mature, becoming thin, fine white lines.
- At this stage, they are typically imperceptible to others.
- The final results of the facelift — refreshed contours and smooth jawline — are fully visible.
Maturation Phase
Facelift Recovery Tips: How to Care for Facelift Scars at Home
Proper care is essential to ensure scars heal optimally. Patients should:
- Follow post-op instructions carefully, including incision cleaning and follow-up visits.
- Protect scars from sun exposure, as UV light can darken healing tissue. Sunscreen is essential.
- Avoid tension on incisions by not bending or lifting excessively in early recovery.
- Use topical treatments if recommended by the surgeon, such as silicone gels to support scar healing.
- Be patient — scar healing is gradual but steady.
Are You Ready For A Consultation?
You are about to take the first steps towards improving your appearance and enhancing your self-image by learning about contemporary plastic surgery.
Potential Complications with Face Lift Scars
As with any surgery, complications are possible, though they are rare after a facelift. These may include delayed healing, widened scars, or keloid formation in patients prone to aggressive scarring. At Aesthetic Surgery Center, surgeons monitor healing closely and can address any issues early. The vast majority of patients experience scars that fade naturally without problems.
Scar Treatments and Management After Facelift Surgery
Most patients will not need additional scar management beyond standard aftercare, since facelift incisions are placed in discreet locations and typically heal well. In the rare event that a scar heals less favorably, Aesthetic Surgery Center offers targeted solutions to improve its appearance. Options may include:
- Scar Revision Surgery to refine or reposition a scar so it blends more naturally with surrounding skin.
- Erbium-YAG Laser Resurfacing to smooth texture and lighten scar discoloration by stimulating new collagen growth.
- Topical therapies or steroid injections for patients prone to raised or thickened scars.
Thanks to careful techniques and thoughtful incision placement, most patients never require additional scar treatment. For those who do, advanced options are available to help scars fade more seamlessly.
Why Choose an Experienced Surgeon at Aesthetic Surgery Center for Your Facelift?
- Proven innovation: Dr. Agarwal developed the signature UpLift™ Facelift, a refined approach that delivers natural results.
- Comprehensive rejuvenation: Combining the UpLift™ with brow and midface lifts creates balanced improvement across the entire face.
- Minimally invasive techniques: Endoscopic methods mean smaller incisions, less visible scarring, and quicker recovery.
- Trusted expertise: Board-certified facial plastic and general plastic surgeons with years of specialized experience in facelift surgery.
- Accredited care: Procedures are performed in an AAAASF-accredited surgical center in Naples, FL, with a focus on safety and comfort.
Choosing Aesthetic Surgery Center means placing your trust in a team that prioritizes natural results and patient satisfaction.
Consult with Facial Rejuvenation Specialists
If you’re considering facelift surgery, the first step is a consultation with the experts at Aesthetic Surgery Center in Naples, FL. Dr. Agarwal, Dr. Holmes, and their team will explain which combination of procedures best suits your goals, walk you through incision placement and healing, and help you plan for a smooth recovery.
Don’t let concerns about scars hold you back from rejuvenating your appearance. With the right surgical plan and care, facelift scars fade beautifully — leaving behind natural, refreshed results.
FAQs about Facelift Scars
Incision placement depends on the procedure. The UpLift™ uses incisions around the ears and sometimes under the chin. The midface lift involves tiny incisions behind the hairline at the temples, while the brow lift uses short incisions hidden in the hairline above the forehead. Each creates discreet scars that typically fade well over time.
Most scars are hidden in the hairline or natural folds around the ears. As they fade, they become barely visible to others. If someone were to get close and look very carefully for the scars, they would see fine white lines where the incisions were.
Patients with a history of keloids should mention this during consultation. Surgeons can adjust techniques or may not offer the surgery if the history is signficant.
Not necessarily. The brow and midface lifts use tiny, hidden incisions, so combining them with the UpLift™ does not usually increase visible scarring.
Most patients feel comfortable after 2–3 weeks, when swelling and redness improve. With their surgeon’s approval, light makeup may be used to help conceal early healing.
Initial healing occurs in weeks, but scars continue to improve for 6–12 months, eventually fading into fine, pale lines.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions, protect incisions from the sun, and use recommended topical treatments.
The UpLift™ Lower Face and Neck Lift is a type of deep plane facelift, with modifications to the way the deeper muscle flaps are elevated. The incisions of both procedures are similar but the surgeons at Aesthetic Surgery Center avoid extensive temporal hairline scars that can be more visible with a deep plane facelift. If the upper cheek/midface needs to be lifted, the UpLift™ Lower Face and Neck Lift is combined with an Endoscopic Midface lift, where temporal incisions are placed behind the hairline and more concealed.