When the skin tissue dies as an aftermath of a medical complication, the condition is known as skin necrosis.  The main reasons for necrosis are inadequate supply of oxygen and blood to the region where the problem has occurred formation of seroma (fluid build up in the body after an operation) and hematoma (collection of blood outside the blood vessels, as a liquid in body tissues) that have neither been identified nor treated.

Skin necrosis cannot be treated because the skin in the region gets damaged permanently beyond repair.  The earlier the onset of necrosis is detected, higher is the possibility of treatment and prevention of further deterioration.  In several cases of the onset of necrosis after a facelift, the problem subsides without further complications, but at other times the necrosis leads to ugly scars.  

Facelift and skin necrosis
Facelift is an anti-aging cosmetic procedure during which the skin receives only one fifth of its regular blood supply.  If the skin receives insufficient blood supply for a continued period of time, there is a high likelihood of the occurrence of necrosis.  Most skilled health care professionals take abundant precautions to prevent such an occurrence. 

Other instances when a facelift can lead to necrosis are when the skin operated upon is already tightly stretched over the face or when the surgeon holds the skin so firmly that blood supply to the skin comes to a standstill.  Risk factors for necrosis during facelift procedure include:
-- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
-- Regular smoking by the patient before surgery
-- Exposure to passive smoking (Nicotine blocks blood vessels and decreases the supply of blood and oxygen to the skin)
-- In infection during or after the surgery
-- Formation of hematoma and seroma during the facelift surgery that remain untreated

Prevalence
Two or three out of every hundred people, who opt for facelift procedures, are likely to be affected by necrosis.  However, according to studies, among patients who smoke, one in every ten is likely to be affected by necrosis! Skin loss is 20 times more prevalent among smokers, as compared to non smokers.  This is because nicotine, besides blocking supply of blood and oxygen also retards the healing of skin tissue.  People with Protein C deficiency (a protein related to Vitamin K found in the blood) are also likely to more at risk for necrosis.