When Should Scar Care Start After a Facelift?
Active scar care — silicone gels or sheets and sun protection — usually begins once the incision has fully closed, around two to three weeks.
Scar care has a clear starting line: the wound must be fully closed, with no scabbing or oozing. That usually lands around two to three weeks after a facelift, though closure speed differs by individual. Starting silicone products on an open wound irritates it; starting months late misses the window when the scar is most responsive to care.
The core routine for the first year
Silicone gel or sheets applied consistently for two to three months are the backbone of evidence-based scar care. Daily sun protection matters just as much: ultraviolet light darkens an immature scar, and the pigment change can be stubborn. Facelift scars sit at the hairline and around the ears, so sunscreen, hats, and hair coverage all count.
Scars mature over six to twelve months and fade at different rates for different people. If a scar becomes raised, hard, itchy, or keeps widening — signs pointing toward hypertrophic change — consult a specialist early, since injections or laser touch-ups work better sooner than later.
MediIndex articles are for general information only and are not medical advice, diagnosis, or advertising. Outcomes vary by individual — consult a board-certified specialist for personal decisions.