The Okumus Incision: A Hairline-Preserving Temporozygomatic Approach for Facelift Surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate safety and effectiveness of using a modified hairline preserving incision (the Okumus incision) in face-lift surgery, particularly in terms of temporal region aesthetic outcome.
METHODS: A total of 400 female patients (mean age: 49 years, range 38 to 72 years) who underwent rhytidectomy using modified hairline preserving incision (the Okumuş incision) through a temporozygomatic approach were included in this study. The Okumus incision was evaluated in terms of objective assessment by the investigator using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), patient-reported outcome (appearance after treatment, satisfaction with the treatment), complications and temporal region aesthetic outcome (temporal hairline distortion, anterior temporal scarring, alopecia, or sideburn irregularity).
RESULTS: At postoperative month 12, GAIS scores indicated exceptional improvement in 98% of patients and 98% of patients reported that they were very satisfied with the treatment in terms of temporal region aesthetic outcome. No cases of temporal hairline distortion, sideburn irregularity, or visible anterior temporal scars were observed. All complications including widening of temporal scalp scars (4.2%), delayed wound healing (5.2%) and hypertrophic scarring (2.7%) resolved without long-term functional or aesthetic sequelae.
CONCLUSION: The Okumus incision offers a hairline-preserving, cosmetically superior alternative for female patients undergoing facelift, without compromising safety or efficacy. Providing a unique balance between the comprehensive exposure of a classical facelift and the aesthetic advantages of short-scar techniques, it enables retention of the full surgical access for cheek and midface rejuvenation while reliably preserving the temporal hairline and avoiding the stigmata of visible temporal scars.
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