Possible Complications

A facelift holds some risk. There can be poor healing, nerve injury, infection, scarring, bleeding, or a change in ones hairline. Most often with a traditional facelift or endoscopic facelift there is a risk of bleeding beneath the skin. There is also the possible risk of a local collection of blood forming. This blood pooling happens in 5% of patients.

Most of the time the collection of blood is small and heals spontaneously. Other blood collections can be larger and may be require the attention of a doctor. Another risk is that too much skin may be removed. This causes the incisions sites to be closed tightly, which can result in too much pressure on the skin. This causes the incisions to widen and consequently a wider scar.

A patient may also loose sensation in their face permanently. There may also be patches of hair loss from tension on facial skin which damage the hair roots. Infection is another risk that occurs rarely. It usually appears as a pimple on the cheek. It is important to see your doctor immediately if you suspect infection.

A Hematoma (blood elevated under the skin) is a risk of having a facelift. A patient will know within the first 24 hours after surgery. There will be increased swelling, pressure and discomfort. It can be easily treated by the doctor.