Where exactly are the incisions placed in a deep plane facelift?

Deep plane facelift incisions typically start at the temporal hairline, continue in front of or inside the ear (pre-auricular), loop around the earlobe, and extend behind the ear into the occipital hairline. This path follows natural skin creases and anatomical landmarks to maximize concealment. Some surgeons use a retro-tragal incision (inside the ear cartilage) for even better scar hiding, especially in women.

How should I care for my facelift incisions during the first week?

During the first week, keep incisions clean and dry. Most surgeons recommend gentle cleansing with dilute hydrogen peroxide or saline on cotton swabs twice daily, followed by application of antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly. Avoid getting the incisions wet in the shower until cleared by your surgeon, typically around day 3-5. Do not pick at scabs or crusting, as this can widen scars.

What is the most challenging part of recovery?

Most patients find the first week most challenging due to swelling, bruising, and activity restrictions. By week 2, most feel significantly better and can resume light activities.

When can I sleep normally again?

You should sleep with your head elevated for at least 2 weeks. Most patients can return to normal sleeping positions after 3-4 weeks when swelling has significantly reduced.

Updated May 2026· Reviewed by Dr. Yakup Duman

Deep Plane Facelift Incision Care

Q: What is deep plane facelift incision care?

Deep plane facelift incisions are hidden along the temporal hairline, pre-auricular crease, around the earlobe, and into the occipital hairline. Care centers on keeping incisions clean and dry for the first 48 hours, applying prescribed antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly twice daily, avoiding tension on the skin, and returning at day 7–10 for suture removal. Scars typically fade from pink to skin-tone over 6–12 months with daily SPF 50 protection.

Deep plane facelift incision lines diagram showing hairline incision path from temple, around ear tragus, behind ear, into hairline

Typical deep plane facelift incision path along the hairline and around the ear

Incision Care After Deep Plane Facelift: Incision care after deep plane facelift involves keeping wounds clean, applying prescribed ointments, avoiding sun exposure, and following surgeon instructions. Proper care ensures optimal scar healing over 6-12 months.
— DeepPlane.com Medical Advisory Board

Deep Plane Facelift Incision Techniques: Quick Facts

Incision Location: Hairline to behind ear
Scar Visibility: Well-hidden when healed
Suture Removal: Day 7–10 post-op
Scar Maturation: 6–12 months
Incision Length: Varies by technique
Healing Time: 2–3 weeks initial

Source: Clinical Studies & The Aesthetic Society

Quick Answer

Where are the incisions for a deep plane facelift?

Deep plane facelift incisions are hidden along natural creases — starting at the temple hairline, continuing in front of or inside the ear, around the earlobe, and behind the ear into the hairline. Sutures come out at day 7–10. These heal as nearly invisible fine lines within 6–12 months. The deep plane technique allows smaller incisions than traditional facelifts because tissues are lifted as a unit.

Source: DeepPlane.com · Reviewed May 2026

Five deep plane facelift incision locations on a lateral face view: temporal hairline along the temple hair shadow line, pre-auricular vertical line in front of the ear, tragal inside the cartilage notch, post-auricular behind the ear into the hairline, submental small line under the chin; right side shows the same incisions healed into nearly invisible thin scars at month 6

All five deep plane facelift incision locations and how they heal at month 6.

What Is Involved in Deep Plane Facelift Incision Care?

Proper incision care after a deep plane facelift involves keeping the area clean and dry for the first 48 hours, when swelling peaks at days 2–4 (day 3 most common). Sutures are typically removed at day 7–10. Scars mature over 6–12 months, becoming well-hidden within the hairline and behind the ear. Following your surgeon's specific instructions is critical for minimizing scarring.

Sutures removed at day 7–10
Initial healing takes 2–3 weeks
Scars mature over 6–12 months and are well-hidden

Deep plane facelift incisions heal remarkably well because the technique reduces skin tension — the primary cause of visible scarring.^[1] Incisions are placed within the temporal hairline, along the ear tragus, around the earlobe, and behind the ear, becoming virtually invisible within 6-12 months. Proper wound care including sun protection and silicone-based scar treatment significantly improves the final appearance. Managing swelling in the first week also helps reduce tension on the incision lines, leading to finer scars compared to traditional SMAS techniques.^[2]

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Complete guide to deep plane facelift incision care and healing.

Wound care zones across five deep plane facelift incision sites with cleansing rules: temporal hairline gentle saline rinse twice daily, pre-auricular no hydrogen peroxide no harsh cleansers, tragal cotton swab only never pick scabs, post-auricular approved cleansers CeraVe Cetaphil or La Roche-Posay, submental pat dry do not rub; frequency twice daily until day 7 then once daily until incisions fully closed — Wound care: sterile saline AROUND incisions twice daily, never directly on; no hydrogen peroxide; never pick scabs (causes pigment change). Approved cleansers: CeraVe / Cetaphil / La Roche-Posay.

Incision care — first 4 weeks

•Clean AROUND incisions with sterile saline + cotton pad (gentle dab, never scrub)
•Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Polysporin) 2-3× daily
•Pat dry with a clean cotton cloth — replace cloth daily
•Begin silicone gel/sheets at week 2-3 for 12 weeks (only OTC scar product with consistent evidence)
•SPF 50+ on incision lines outdoors for 6 months minimum
•Wide-brim hat + UV400 sunglasses any outdoor exposure from day 7

Don't

•Pick at scabs (they fall naturally day 7-14)
•Use hydrogen peroxide (kills healing fibroblasts → wider scar)
•Apply makeup directly on incisions until day 10
•Use chemical sunscreens (avobenzone, oxybenzone) for 4 weeks
•Apply pressure or massage on incision lines until week 6-8
•Use vitamin E topical (weak evidence) — silicone is the proven option

12-month contour settling timeline after deep plane facelift: Month 1 residual deep-tissue edema 10 percent, Month 3 scar pinkness peaks then fades, Month 6 thin scars near-invisible with numbness 70 percent resolved, Month 9 sensation 90 percent normal, Month 12 stable final result lasting 10 to 15 years — Contour settles month by month. Final result is visible at month 6 and stable by month 12 — the lift then lasts 10–15 years.

How Long Do Facelift Incisions Take to Heal?

7-10d

Sutures Removed

Stitches removed at surgeon visit (day 7–10). Steri-strips may stay another week.

2-4w

Pink/Red Phase

Incision lines are pink and visible. Apply silicone gel and SPF daily.

3-6m

Fading Phase

Scars progressively lighten. Concealer can cover any remaining visibility.

12m

Virtually Invisible

Fully matured scars blend with natural skin folds. Hair covers temple incision.

Tragal Incision →

Hidden-scar technique inside the ear cartilage flap; modern default for most women.

Pre-Auricular Incision →

Trichophytic vs straight design, sideburn preservation, week-by-week scar maturation.

Temporal Hairline Incision →

Hair-shift risk, trichophytic technique, when surgeons elect short-scar.

Pleats Behind the Ear →

Understanding and managing skin puckering at the post-auricular incision site.

Submental Incision →

The under-chin access for combined deep plane facelift + neck lift; position, length, and concealment.

Wound Dehiscence →

Recognition signs, risk factors, and treatment of incision separation — <2% incidence.

$15K-50K

Cost Range

4-6 hrs

Surgery Time

10-15 yrs

Results Last

2-3 wks

Recovery

What Is Deep Plane Facelift Incision Care?

Complete guide to deep plane facelift incision care and healing. This comprehensive guide provides detailed information to help you understand what to expect and make informed decisions about your treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medical References

01
Hamra ST. The deep-plane rhytidectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990;86(1):53-61(opens in new tab)(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-03-21DOI: 10.1097/00006534-199001000-00006
02
Barrera A. Refinements in the deep-plane facelift technique. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000;105(1):290-301(opens in new tab)(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-03-21DOI: 10.1097/00006534-200001000-00047
03
American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Facelift Statistics 2024(opens in new tab)(Organization)Accessed: 2026-03-21

Explore More

What is Deep Plane Facelift?Recovery Guide Before and After Results Find a Surgeon

What Are Common Misconceptions About Facelift Incisions?

Myth: Incisions need constant attention

Fact: Simple daily care is sufficient. Over-cleaning or excessive manipulation can delay healing.

Myth: Scabs should be removed

Fact: Let scabs fall off naturally. Picking at them can cause scarring and infection.

Points Worth Noting

Get personalized guidance from a board-certified specialist

Outcomes vary — your surgeon will set realistic expectations

Recovery time depends on the extent of the procedure

Proper aftercare maximizes results and minimizes complications

Back to Overview Recovery Guide Find Surgeon

Key Takeaways

Research thoroughly before making decisions

Consult with multiple board-certified surgeons

Review before and after photos carefully

Understand all costs and recovery requirements

Key Facts

Deep plane facelift incisionsfollow a path fromtemporal hairline, around the ear, to the occipital hairline

Retro-tragal incision techniquehides scars insidethe ear cartilage for superior concealment, especially in women

Suture removaloccurs atday 7–10 post-surgery depending on healing progress

Full scar maturationtakes6-12 months to reach the final thin white-line appearance

Medical Review

Dr. Yakup Duman

Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Specialist

— MD— Board Certified— Plastic Surgery Specialist

Board-certified Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery specialist with 13+ years of experience. Specializes in deep plane facelift at Merkez Prime Hospital, Istanbul. Medical Reviewer for DeepPlane.com.

Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Association

Last Reviewed: Full Profile →Review Process →

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Recovery Guide Pain Management Week 1 After Facelift Week 2: Going Public What is Deep Plane Facelift?Before & After Results

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