Facelift Scars: Where the Incisions Go and How They Heal
Updated: 13 hours ago
Medical editor: Dr. Semih Yıldız, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon (FEBOPRAS) · Last updated: October 2026
Facelift incisions follow natural lines: from the temple, down the crease in front of the ear or along the edge of the tragus, around the earlobe, up the fold behind the ear and into or along the hairline at the back, with a short incision under the chin when the neck is treated. Closed without tension, they usually fade to fine, pale lines over about 12 months.
Our facelift in Istanbul page places the incisions around the ear and in the hairline. How noticeable they are a year later depends less on their length than on a series of small decisions: where each segment runs, how much tension the skin carries and how the hair along the line is protected.
The incision line, segment by segment
At the temple
The line begins in or at the edge of the hair above the ear. Inside the hair it is hidden, but lifting the skin also lifts the hair-bearing skin, so the temple hairline and the sideburn can move up and back. When more skin has to be moved, the incision can instead follow the front edge of the hairline or run just below the sideburn, which keeps both in place. The choice depends on how much skin will be moved and where your hairline sits today.
In front of the ear
Here the incision follows either the natural crease in front of the ear or the inner edge of the tragus, the small cartilage flap in front of the ear canal. Along the tragus the scar is very well hidden, but the skin must be closed without tension so that the tragus keeps its natural shape and the ear canal is not pulled open. In men, this route can bring beard-bearing skin onto the tragus, which is why the crease in front of the ear is often preferred.
Around the earlobe
The line curves around the base of the earlobe. If the skin here is closed under tension, the lobe can be pulled downwards and forwards over time, a change sometimes called a “pixie ear”. Carrying the lift in the deeper layers, so that the skin is closed without tension, protects the natural shape of the earlobe.
Behind the ear and into the hairline
Behind the ear the incision runs up the fold where the ear meets the head, often placed slightly onto the back of the ear so that the scar settles into the crease. From there it turns towards the back of the scalp, either into the hair or along the hairline at the nape. Following the hairline avoids a visible step in it when a lot of neck skin is moved, which matters if you wear your hair short or tied up. The skin behind the ear has the most delicate blood supply of the lifted area, so this is where nicotine and tension most often cause healing problems.
Under the chin
When the neck is treated, a short incision in or near the crease under the chin gives access to the neck muscles and fat. It is hidden in normal view and usually heals into a faint line. A mini facelift uses a shorter incision around the ear and usually does not need the long extension into the hair behind it.
Protecting the hairline, sideburns and beard
Where an incision runs along the edge of the hair, it can be cut at an angle so that hair follicles lie beneath the scar and hair grows through it, which makes the line harder to see. Just as important is the result above the skin: a hairline that has not been dragged upwards, a sideburn at its natural height and skin closed without tension, so that the scar does not widen.
Temporary shedding of hair next to the incisions can occur in the first months, as the follicles react to the operation. In most cases the hair regrows within a few months. If a small patch stays thin after the scar has matured, it can be treated, for example by revising the scar or by hair transplantation.
Men need extra planning. Lifting the face moves beard-bearing skin backwards, so some men need to shave a small area closer to or behind the ear afterwards. The position of the sideburn and the way the beard meets the ear are part of the incision plan. Whatever your sex, tell the surgeon how you wear your hair, whether short, shaved at the sides, in a ponytail or up, because it can change where the temple and back incisions are placed.
How the scars change over the first year
Scars mature slowly, and each part of the line has its own pace:
Around day 7–10: the stitches are removed; the lines are thin and pink, with small crusts in the hair.
Weeks 2–6: the scars look pink to red and can feel firm or slightly raised; the part in front of the ear is often the first to look discreet.
Months 2–6: colour fades and firmness softens; the scar behind the ear, which neck movement pulls on, can take longer.
Months 6–12: most scars have flattened into pale lines, and the final appearance can be judged.
Scar care that makes a difference
Good scar care is simple, but it has to be kept up for months:
Until the stitches are out, clean the incisions exactly as shown, and let crusts in the hair come away on their own rather than picking at them.
Once the wounds have fully closed, silicone gel or silicone sheets used daily for a few months help scars stay flat and soft; ask your team when to start.
If your team recommends it, gentle massage of the healed scar can soften firm areas.
Protect the part in front of the ear and around the earlobe from the sun with a high-factor sunscreen and a hat for at least the first year, because sun can darken a young scar for good.
Avoid pulling on the healing lines: heavy earrings, tight ponytails, hair extensions and clips over the scalp incisions wait until your team says otherwise.
Stay off nicotine in every form, so that the healing skin keeps a good blood supply.
While the scars are still pink, ordinary concealer or mineral make-up can cover them once the skin has closed.
When a scar needs attention
Most facelift scars become hard to spot. Some heal less well, and most of these can be improved:
A thick, raised or itchy scar (hypertrophic scar) may respond to silicone, steroid injections or other scar treatments.
A keloid, a scar that grows beyond the original line, is uncommon on the face. If you have had keloids before, for example after ear piercing, mention it at your assessment.
A widened scar or a step in the hairline can be revised once the scar has matured, usually after about a year, often as a small procedure under local anaesthesia.
An earlobe that has been pulled down can be corrected surgically.
Darker colour along the scar, more common in darker skin types, usually fades with strict sun protection and time.
A wound that opens, discharges or turns dark while healing should be shown to the team without waiting for the next check-up.
Before the operation, Dr. Semih Yıldız sees you face to face and the incision lines are marked, which is the moment to raise any questions about your hairline, sideburns or beard. How the operation itself is performed is described on our facelift page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear my hair up after a facelift?
In the first weeks most people prefer to wear their hair down over the ears, and tight ponytails should wait because they pull on the scalp incisions. Once the incisions have healed and your team agrees, you can wear your hair up again. The scars may stay pink for some months before fading into pale lines, which matters most if your style shows the area behind the ears.
Are facelift scars more visible in men?
They can be, because men often wear their hair short and have no hair in front of the ear to cover the line. The incisions are therefore planned around the beard, the sideburns and the hairline, often using the natural crease in front of the ear. Closed without tension, the scars usually become discreet, although some men need to shave a little further back after surgery.
Can scars from an earlier facelift be improved with a second one?
Often, yes. In a secondary facelift the old scar can usually be removed and the skin closed again, and a hairline that moved during the first operation can sometimes be partly improved by placing the new incision differently. How much can be corrected depends on the skin and the scar, which is why earlier facial surgery is always reviewed before planning.
If you would like to know where the incisions would run on your face, and how your hairline or beard would be taken into account, you can send your photos for a free online assessment.
This article provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person.
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