Ask an Expert: Does a Facelift Look Bad Behind the Ears?

Question: "I live in the Madison, WI area and am seriously considering a face lift. The main thing holding me back is how bad it looks behind the ears…even after months/years. I’ve had a few friends do it and they have “bunching” and prominent, white scaring behind their ears. I’ve also talked to a few in the industry and apparently this is common? It seems I must decide between sagging or wearing my hair down for the rest of my life?"

Dr. Patel: "You should be able to wear your hair up. Though it may be common, it is not the norm to have heavy scarring behind the ear years after a face lift. The posterior hairline should be re-aligned to prevent the appearance of a “step-off”. Scarring is minimized by making sure the tension of the lift is placed on the deep tissues and not the skin. Proper technique and healing should allow most patients to wear their hair up without concern after a face lift."