The scars from a deep plane facelift performed by Dr. Bustillo will be imperceptible. This is because the incisions are all hidden inside the hair, behind the tragus (post-tragal), and in creases. One of the biggest “tip-offs” to facelift surgery is a visible scar.
Unsightly facelift scars may be visible for several reasons. The number one reason the scars are visible is due to excessive tension placed on the skin. When an incision is closed with tension, it heals poorly, and as a result, will widen and become visible (Figures 4, 5). The deep plane facelift has the advantage of placing no tension on the skin, which in turn helps to have scars that are not visible.
The second reason the facelift scar may be visible is placement. The incisions should be placed along natural curves, folds, and inside the hair.
The patient was operated on by another surgeon with poor scars due to excessive skin tension.
The patient was operated on by another surgeon with poor scars due to excessive skin tension.
The following describes the incisions used in the deep plane facelift performed by Dr. Bustillo. The superior portion of the incision is placed inside the temporal hair, completely hidden. As it comes down, it hugs the helix and enters behind the tragus. The tragus is that small round or square cartilage in front of the ear. This part of the incision is known as a “post-tragal” incision because it is hidden behind the tragus. This is in contrast to the “pre-tragal” incision used by some surgeons.
The post-tragal incision completely conceals this part of the incision. The incision then comes down a natural crease between the ear lobule and the facial skin. In the back of the ear, it travels up in the crease behind the ear. It then crosses into the hair, where it is completely hidden. This allows my patients to wear their hair up in a ponytail without any scars being visible. Any incision outside this course has the potential to be visible.
Ear Shape after Facelift
The shape of the ear will not change with the deep plane facelift as it is performed by Dr. Bustillo. The natural shape and position of the ear will be maintained after the facelift. (Figures 6, 7). The shape of the ear can change when the incisions are closed with tension or the incisions are not properly designed.
For example, there can be changes to the tragus. The tragus can be pulled forward or simply removed. The ear lobule is a very delicate portion of the ear. It is fat-filled and the skin is very soft. It is therefore inherently weak and susceptible to stretching or pulling by the healing forces. The extreme case is the “pixie ear,” where the ear lobule is pulled inferiorly and blends with the face. It gives a surgical appearance and looks very unattractive. The surgeon must be meticulous in his incision placement and closure to avoid alterations in the shape of the ear.
Scars after Facelift Surgery
The scars from a deep plane facelift performed by Dr. Bustillo will be imperceptible. This is because the incisions are all hidden inside the hair, behind the tragus (post-tragal), and in creases. One of the biggest “tip-offs” to facelift surgery is a visible scar.
Unsightly facelift scars may be visible for several reasons. The number one reason the scars are visible is due to excessive tension placed on the skin. When an incision is closed with tension, it heals poorly, and as a result, will widen and become visible (Figures 4, 5). The deep plane facelift has the advantage of placing no tension on the skin, which in turn helps to have scars that are not visible.
The second reason the facelift scar may be visible is placement. The incisions should be placed along natural curves, folds, and inside the hair.
The patient was operated on by another surgeon with poor scars due to excessive skin tension.
The patient was operated on by another surgeon with poor scars due to excessive skin tension.
The following describes the incisions used in the deep plane facelift performed by Dr. Bustillo. The superior portion of the incision is placed inside the temporal hair, completely hidden. As it comes down, it hugs the helix and enters behind the tragus. The tragus is that small round or square cartilage in front of the ear. This part of the incision is known as a “post-tragal” incision because it is hidden behind the tragus. This is in contrast to the “pre-tragal” incision used by some surgeons.
The post-tragal incision completely conceals this part of the incision. The incision then comes down a natural crease between the ear lobule and the facial skin. In the back of the ear, it travels up in the crease behind the ear. It then crosses into the hair, where it is completely hidden. This allows my patients to wear their hair up in a ponytail without any scars being visible. Any incision outside this course has the potential to be visible.
Ear Shape after Facelift
The shape of the ear will not change with the deep plane facelift as it is performed by Dr. Bustillo. The natural shape and position of the ear will be maintained after the facelift. (Figures 6, 7). The shape of the ear can change when the incisions are closed with tension or the incisions are not properly designed.
For example, there can be changes to the tragus. The tragus can be pulled forward or simply removed. The ear lobule is a very delicate portion of the ear. It is fat-filled and the skin is very soft. It is therefore inherently weak and susceptible to stretching or pulling by the healing forces. The extreme case is the “pixie ear,” where the ear lobule is pulled inferiorly and blends with the face. It gives a surgical appearance and looks very unattractive. The surgeon must be meticulous in his incision placement and closure to avoid alterations in the shape of the ear.
Patient’s ear before undergoing facelift surgery by Dr. Bustillo.
Patient’s ear after undergoing facelift surgery by Dr. Bustillo. The normal ear anatomy is maintained and all scars are imperceptible.
