I am getting my jowls lifted but have heard that I may experience scarring near my ears. Is this true and, if so, will these be permanent?
Answer:
It sounds like you are a having a facelift procedure. The facelift procedure is a plastic surgery procedure used to lift the neck and jowls. The procedure is done by making a small incision under the chin. Through this incision, the neck muscles are tightened. An incision is then made around the ears to lift up the skin from the underlying tissues. The muscles underneath are then tightened and the skin is re-draped over the tightened muscles. There are two key points in having the facelift scars be virtually invisible. The first is the placement of the incisions. The incisions should be placed in areas that are not visible. For example it should turn behind the tragus, the small piece of cartilage in front of the ear. Behind the ear, the incision should go into the hair, instead of going along the hairline. The second important key to having a good scar, is the way in which the skin is sutured together. The skin should be closed without any tension and with small tiny sutures. This will also help to maintain a normal appearing earlobe. Abnormal tension in this area may cause the earlobe to be pulled down, giving an elongated earlobe, sometimes called a pixie-ear.After 6 months, the scars from a facelift should be invisible.
Posted by Dr. Bustillo