Deep Plane Facelift Scars: Where They Are, How They Heal, and What to Expect

If you are searching for information about deep plane facelift scars, you are almost certainly worried that the scars will be obvious, that people will notice, or that you will not be able to wear your hair the way you do now. That is a very common concern, and a fair one. The reassuring answer is that when a deep plane facelift is well planned and well executed, the incisions are placed where they integrate with natural anatomical creases and the hairline, so the resulting scars tend to settle in a way that is genuinely difficult to see.

There is also a technical reason why deep plane facelift scars often heal so favourably. Because this technique repositions the deeper layers of the face rather than relying on the skin to do the lifting, the skin closure carries far less tension. Lower tension during closure gives scars the best possible chance of healing as a fine, pale line. In this blog, Dr Jeremy Hunt walks through exactly where the incisions go, how the scars heal week by week, what you can do to support that process, and what happens in the small number of cases where a scar does not behave as expected.

Where do deep plane facelift incisions go?

Where each line goes is shaped by decades of refinement in plastic surgery. Surgeons hide the line inside hair or tuck it into a crease that already exists, so the eye does not pick it up later. While the broad pattern stays the same from patient to patient, your final plan is worked out at consultation around the shape of your hairline, the set of your ears, and the proportions of your face.

• Temporal area: A line hidden in or just behind the hairline above and in front of the ear. When planned with a trichophytic technique, hair can grow through the scar over time, helping the line disappear into the hairline.
• Pre-tragal or post-tragal: In front of the ear, following the natural contour of the tragus (the small piece of cartilage that sits in front of the ear canal). The choice between in front of, or tucked behind, the tragus depends on your skin, your hair, and the texture of the surrounding tissue.
• Earlobe junction: A fine line where the earlobe meets the cheek. Careful planning here is important, as this is the region where pixie ear deformity can develop if too much tension is placed on the closure.
• Post-auricular: Behind the ear, hidden in the natural crease where the ear meets the scalp.
• Occipital: Extending into the hairline behind the ear, again following the principle of hiding the line within hair-bearing tissue.
• Submental (where neck lift is combined): A short incision under the chin, used when work is being done on the neck at the same time. This sits in a natural shadow under the jawline and is generally not visible from the front.

Across these locations, the deep plane technique uses a continuous incision pattern that follows anatomical landmarks rather than cutting across them. That principle, simple as it sounds, is one of the main reasons why mature scars from a well-performed deep plane facelift tend to be very hard to find.

Why deep plane facelift scars heal differently

The key technical difference between a deep plane facelift and an older skin-only or skin-and-SMAS lift comes down to who is doing the lifting. In a deep plane facelift, the deeper layers, including the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) and the underlying fat pads, are released and repositioned. The skin is then redraped over that newly supported framework. It is not pulled tight to do the lifting itself.

All of this matters for scars. If skin is closed while still under load, the wound has to hold itself together as it matures, and the scar usually widens over the months that follow. If the deep tissues are already carrying the weight, the skin sits where it wants to and the line tends to heal pale and fine. Dr Hunt sees this difference often in clinic, and rates the lower-tension closure as one of the real strengths of the deep plane technique.

Peer-reviewed surgical literature on deep plane rhytidectomy outcomes has reported similar findings, with tension-free closure associated with favourable scar quality over time.

The healing timeline, week by week and month by month

Scar healing is a gradual process, and the appearance of an incision in the first few weeks is not a reliable indication of how it will look at one year. Below is a general guide. Recovery is rarely identical from one person to the next. Skin type, age, how much sun exposure your skin has had over the years, and how carefully you follow aftercare instructions all feed into the result.

• Day 1 to 7: Incisions appear pink, slightly raised, and may have small areas of bruising at the edges. Sutures are typically still in place and the area should not be touched or wet beyond what your post-operative instructions allow.
• Week 2: Any sutures that don’t dissolve come out around now, and you’ll notice the lines starting to settle and flatten. Skin in the area can still feel firm, tight, or a little numb for a while longer.
• Week 4 to 6: This is when scars usually look at their pinkest. It can be unsettling if you don’t know to expect it, but it isn’t a problem. The colour is a sign that the deeper layers of the wound are still being remodelled.
• Month 3: Most scars have significantly faded and can be covered with light makeup if needed. The pink colour begins to settle toward the surrounding skin tone.
• Month 6 to 12: Final scar maturity. Most patients report that scars are difficult to see in normal lighting, and many can wear their hair up comfortably by this point.

Patience matters during this period. Scars that look prominent at week 6 will often look very different at month 6, and the final assessment is best made at around 12 months.

How Dr Hunt minimises deep plane facelift scars

Scarring is, ultimately, a technical outcome that begins with incision design. The choices made in the operating room, and the choices made before the operation in planning, have a far greater influence on final scar appearance than anything that happens afterwards. In Dr Hunt’s practice, several principles guide that planning.

• Trichophytic incisions in hair-bearing areas. A trichophytic technique angles the incision so that hair follicles can grow through the line as it heals, helping the scar disappear into the hairline rather than sitting at its edge.
• Tension-free skin closure. Because the deep tissue layer carries the lift, the skin can be redraped and closed gently. This is the single most important factor in producing a fine line scar.
• Layered closure with fine sutures. Closing the wound in layers, with absorbable sutures supporting the deeper tissue and very fine sutures on the skin surface, helps the line lie flat as it heals.
• Modern adjuncts where appropriate. Silicone sheeting, silicone gel, and selective laser treatment may be considered if a scar appears to be developing in a less ideal way. These are discussed at follow-up rather than used routinely from the outset.

How to look after your scars after surgery

After the operating theatre, the work of getting a good scar shifts onto you. Scars are at their most reactive in the first few weeks and months, so what you do day-to-day during that window has a real say in how the line looks a year on.

• Strict sun protection for at least 12 months. UV exposure can darken scars, sometimes permanently. Wide-brimmed hats and high-SPF sunscreen, once your surgeon clears you to apply it to the area, are essential. (See Dr Hunt’s blog on sun exposure in the first weeks after facelift for more details.)
• Silicone sheeting or gel. From around weeks 2 to 3, and continuing for several months, silicone-based scar products can support flatter, paler healing. Start only when your surgeon advises.
• Gentle massage techniques where indicated. In some cases, light massage may be recommended to help with firmness or lymphatic drainage. This should always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance, not generic online advice.
• Avoid smoking, nicotine and excessive alcohol during healing. Nicotine in any form, including vaping and patches, reduces blood flow to healing tissues and is one of the strongest predictors of poor scar quality.
• Do not pick at scabs or pull at incision lines. Allow them to fall away naturally. Premature removal can disrupt the healing surface and contribute to thicker scars.

When scars do not heal well: hypertrophic and keloid scarring

Most deep plane facelift scars heal as a fine, faint line. A small number do not, and it is important to be honest about that. Some scars become raised, red, or thickened. These are referred to as hypertrophic scars when they stay within the original wound boundary, and keloid scars when they extend beyond it.

Risk factors for less favourable scarring include genetic predisposition, certain skin types, infection during healing, and any factor that increases tension on the wound. The deep plane technique reduces the tension factor, but the others remain. This is why your medical history, family history of scarring, and skin type are reviewed at consultation as part of the planning process.

If a scar does start to thicken, treatment is generally stepwise. Silicone sheeting, intralesional steroid injection, fractional laser, and occasionally surgical scar revision are options that may be considered, depending on how the scar is behaving. In Dr Hunt’s experience, early review of an unsettled scar produces better outcomes than waiting and watching for many months.

Are deep plane facelift scars worse than mini facelift scars?

Patients often ask about this at consultation. Are you swapping a more visible scar for the deeper lift? There is a small trade-off, and it’s worth being upfront about it.

Deep plane incisions usually run a bit longer than the ones used in a mini facelift. That extra length is needed because the technique works on both the lower face and the mid-face, and the deeper structures have to be reached safely. Even so, the line still hides in the same creases and hairline regions, and because it heals under less tension, it tends not to widen as much over the years. So when patients compare the two procedures, the real question is more about scar quality and how long the result lasts than it is about how visible the line will be.

Frequently asked questions about deep plane facelift scars

Are deep plane facelift scars visible?

Most deep plane facelift scars become very difficult to see by 6 to 12 months because they are placed within the hairline, ear creases and natural anatomical lines, and the deep plane technique allows the skin to close without tension. With consistent sun protection and good aftercare, most patients are comfortable wearing their hair up once scars have matured.

How long do deep plane facelift scars take to heal?

Deep plane facelift scars typically take around 12 months to reach final maturity, with the most rapid improvement in appearance happening between months 3 and 6. Scars are often most noticeable in the first few weeks before they begin to flatten and fade.

Where exactly are deep plane facelift incisions placed?

A deep plane facelift uses incisions in the temporal hairline, around the front of the ear, around the earlobe, behind the ear and into the back hairline, with an additional small incision under the chin if a neck lift is included. Each line is placed to follow natural anatomical features so that the resulting scar sits within an existing crease or hair-bearing area.

Will my hairline change after a deep plane facelift?

When the temporal incision is planned with a trichophytic technique, the hairline preserves its natural shape and hair grows through the scar over time. Avoiding hairline elevation is a key technical priority, particularly for patients who wear their hair pulled back, and this is reviewed in detail during consultation.

Can I wear my hair up after a deep plane facelift?

Most patients are comfortable wearing their hair up by 6 to 12 months after a deep plane facelift, once scars have fully matured and faded. Many can wear it up earlier with light cover-up makeup or by adjusting the hairstyle slightly while the scars are still pink.

Do deep plane facelift scars need any special treatment?

Most deep plane facelift scars heal well with sun protection, silicone-based scar products, and avoiding smoking. If a scar starts to thicken or stays raised, treatments such as silicone sheeting, steroid injection, or fractional laser may be considered. Treatment decisions are made at follow-up rather than from the outset.

Why choose Dr Hunt for face lift in Sydney

Good scarring starts with how the incisions are designed in the first place. Dr Hunt has spent more than 25 years tightening up his deep plane incision pattern so that scars sit hidden and stay tension-free. The approach has been shaped by fellowship work overseas and by keeping up with what the surgical literature is showing.

Dr Jeremy Hunt is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) based in Sydney, with consulting rooms in Woollahra (175 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra NSW 2027) and Wollongong (Suite 6, 174 Gipps Road, Gwynneville NSW 2500). He has over 25 years of experience in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, with particular expertise in deep plane facelift, mini facelift, jowl lift, neck lift and complementary facial rejuvenation procedures.

Dr Hunt holds a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery (FRACS) and is registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). He is an active member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

You can verify Dr Hunt’s credentials directly on each society’s register: Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), and Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).

All facelift surgery with Dr Hunt is performed in fully accredited private hospitals with specialist anaesthetists, never in office-based settings. Dr Hunt sees patients from across Sydney, including Double Bay, Woollahra, Bondi Junction, the Eastern Suburbs and the wider Sydney metropolitan area, as well as from Wollongong and the Illawarra.

Under current AHPRA cosmetic surgery rules, a seven-day cooling-off period applies before any cosmetic surgical procedure can be booked. Patients are also encouraged to get a second opinion from a suitably qualified health practitioner before proceeding.

To discuss whether a deep plane facelift is right for you, you can request a consultation with Dr Hunt at his Sydney or Wollongong practice using the form on this page or by calling our team on 02 9327 1733.

Further reading

• Does facelift surgery leave scars?
• Sun exposure in the first weeks after facelift
• Facial massage after facelift: things to know
• Recovery after deep plane facelift

Medical references

• HealthDirect Australia: Facelift
• Better Health Channel (Victoria): Facelift (meloplasty)
• Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons: Facelift surgery
• Cleveland Clinic: Facelift
• NCBI / PMC: Deep plane rhytidectomy outcomes
• AHPRA: Cosmetic surgery information for consumers

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information only and is not a substitute for a consultation with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual results vary. MED0001151603.