1. In any operation where removal of skin is on the agenda, the resulting incision will be proportional to the amount of skin removed. This is a “biogeometric” fact that applies to facelifts and other skin reducing procedures such as an abdominoplasty.
2. A corollary is that a minimum incision facelift (“mini”, “MACS”, “lifestyle”,etc.) limits the amount of skin that can be removed as part of the procedure. These are suitable if excess skin is modest. If, however, there is a clear surplus it is likely that the results using minimum incision facelifts will be disappointing.
3. Skilled plastic surgeons can employ certain “fudge factors” to minimize the length of incisions somewhat. How much? Maybe 10% or so. If the surgeon “fudges” too much dogears and irregular incision contours result that will require revision and lengthening of the original incision.
4. Proper facelift technique allows the skin to be closed without tension. This yields nearly invisible scars and avoids distortion of anatomic structures such as the earlobe.
5. Then length of the incision is not nearly as important as the quality of the resulting scar. Facelift incisions should be nearly invisible even without makeup.
