Question from Henderson, NV: A friend had a facelift where the scars were hidden inside of her ears. Some time later I noticed that it looks like her ears are being turned inside out! The scars were hidden in the tragus and now they are sticking out of her ears! This was done by prominent and well-respected Las Vegas female plastic surgeon! Is it better then, to have the scar placement in front of the ears?
Answer from Dr. Dean Kane, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon from Baltimore:
Every patient is different and so is the healing process. It is most unusual to hear of a hidden tragal incision creating a deformity.
Many well accomplished surgeons are placing the facelift incision along the edge of the tragus to hide the prior generations stigmata of a scar in front of the ear and skin color and skin texture contrast of the cheek and ear skin.
When a incision is closed tightly or should there be a swelling concern during the healing phase, the scarring process under the skin in front of the tragus may pull the cartilage out and expose the scar.
I would still recommend this incision for most facelift incisions unless there is another reason not to do it.
I hope this is helpful! All the best!
