Short answer
Facelift scars usually run from the temple hairline, down the crease in front of the ear, around the earlobe and into the hair behind the ear, sometimes with a short cut under the chin. Once healed they are designed to sit in the hairline and the natural folds of the ear, so they are often hard to notice at conversational distance. They fade but never disappear completely. How visible they end up depends on incision design, healing tendency, skin tension, smoking and hairstyle.
Key points
- Incisions usually follow the temple hairline, the front of the ear, the earlobe and the scalp behind the ear.
- A small extra cut under the chin may be used when the neck is treated.
- Scars fade over months and can keep improving for up to 2 years or more.
- Thick, obvious scars and hair thinning along the scar are recognised risks.
- Research does not show that any single incision design is clearly superior.
Where the incisions are placed
The NHS describes cuts above the hairline at the temples that run down in front of the ear, around the earlobe and behind the ear, with additional cuts under the chin if the jawline is also lifted2. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) describes the same traditional path ending in the lower scalp1.
| Incision pattern | Typical path | Where the scar tends to sit |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional facelift | Temple hairline, in front of the ear, around the earlobe, into the lower scalp1 | Hairline, ear contours, behind the ear |
| Limited incision (“short scar”) | Shorter cuts at the temples continuing around the ear1 | Around the ear, with less extension behind it |
| Neck lift | From in front of the earlobe, around and behind the ear into the hair1 | Behind the ear and hairline |
| Under-chin incision | Short cut beneath the chin, used when the neck needs further work1 | Under the chin, rarely seen face-on |
Surgeons also make smaller choices that affect visibility: whether the cut in front of the ear runs along the skin crease or just behind the small cartilage flap (the tragus), whether the temple cut sits inside or along the hairline, and how the earlobe is reset. A 2024 scoping review of 49 studies found low reported rates of scar problems for each technique but could not say which is superior because studies measured scars in different ways3. Evidence for choosing one incision design over another: Insufficient.
How visible they usually are
Once healed, facelift incision lines are intended to be concealed within the hairline and the natural contours of the face and ear1. The NHS is clear that scars should fade but will not completely disappear2. Up close, in bright light, or with the hair swept back, a fine line is usually still visible.
The area behind the ear and the scalp portion are usually the least noticeable. The section in front of the ear and around the earlobe is the most exposed, which is why surgeons pay attention to how the skin is redraped so the earlobe is not pulled downwards.
How scars change over time
- First 2 weeks: stitches are usually removed after 7 to 14 days unless dissolvable stitches are used; bruising is visible for at least 2 weeks2.
- Several weeks: bruising, scars and skin colour changes should have faded considerably2. Scars often still look pink at this stage.
- 6 to 9 months: the final result of the facelift itself becomes visible2.
- Up to 2 years or more: scars in general continue to fade and improve over this period5.
What can make scars worse
The NHS lists thick, obvious scars as a possible problem after a facelift, along with hair loss or a small but permanent reduction in hair growth around the scars2. Raised scars come in two main types. A hypertrophic scar stays within the wound and usually flattens over time; a keloid scar grows beyond the wound and does not usually flatten without treatment5.
Smoking matters because nicotine narrows blood vessels, which is a particular concern for operations that depend on good blood supply to lifted skin. ASPS guidance notes that smokers may be more likely to experience skin slough (loss of an area of skin) and suggests stopping 4 to 8 weeks before surgery and for at least 4 weeks afterwards, including e-cigarettes and other nicotine products4. Skin breakdown along an incision can leave a wider scar.
Other factors include personal or family history of keloids, excess tension on the closure, infection and bleeding under the skin. If a scar becomes raised or troublesome, silicone dressings or gels, and in more severe cases steroid injections, are among the treatments used for scars generally5.
Common questions
Will I be able to wear my hair up after a facelift?
Many people can, once scars have matured, but a fine line behind and in front of the ear may still be visible with the hair pulled back. Asking to see where your specific incisions will run, and whether the hairline at the temple or behind the ear will shift, helps set expectations.
Does a “mini” facelift mean no scar?
No, a limited-incision facelift still leaves scars at the temples and around the ear; they are shorter rather than absent1. Shorter incisions also limit how much loose neck skin can be addressed.
Can hair grow through the scar?
Hair often grows around a well-healed scalp scar, but some people have a small, permanent reduction in hair growth along the scar2.
Can make-up cover facelift scars?
Usually yes, once the incisions have fully healed and the stitches are out; until then, products should not be applied to open or healing wounds unless the surgical team has agreed.
Bottom line
Facelift scars follow the hairline and ear, are designed to be discreet once mature, and keep fading for a year or more. They are permanent, and a small number of people develop thick scars or hair thinning along them. Asking exactly where the incisions will go, and stopping nicotine well before surgery, are two practical steps that affect the outcome.
Related reading
- Facelift
- Deep Plane vs SMAS Facelift: What Is the Difference?
- How Long Does a Facelift Last?
- Neck Lift vs Facelift: Which Addresses What?
- Why Should You Stop Smoking Before Surgery?
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Facelift procedure. ASPS. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift/procedure. Accessed 5 November 2026.
- NHS. Facelift. NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/facelift/. Accessed 5 November 2026.
- Rhytidectomy incision techniques and scar outcomes: a scoping review. Facial Plastic Surgery; 2025;41(4):451-464. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2404-1995
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Managing the risks of smoking in plastic surgery patients (practice reference). ASPS; 2024. https://plasticsurgery.org/documents/health-policy/resources/2024-managing-risks-of-smoking.pdf. Accessed 5 November 2026.
- NHS. Scars. NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scars/. Accessed 5 November 2026.
Article history
- — First published.