I'm 2 months post op facelift and areas on side of face that were numb are starting to itch. Is that normal?

Question

Face is itching but nothing seems to help. Is this normal and what can I put on it to help stop the itching?

Raymond E. Lee, MD · Answer

Thanks for posting the question.  It is normal to have numbness after a facelift. These areas may include in front and behind the ears and underneath the chin and  jawline.  This feeling will continue to comeback over the course of six months (though the majority of the feeling will be back in 3 month).  Initially there is some "bolts of electricity" or "zaps" and perhaps a "crawling" feeling.  These feelings start at about 3 weeks after surgery.  Some patients get an "itchy" feeling too. These are signs that the nerves are growing back into the skin and the feeling is restoring.

George Bitar, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions.  The symptoms you are experiencing are normal and signs of nerve regeneration.  Best wishes on your recovery.

Arthur Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

It is totally normal to have areas that are recovering from surgery to feel "itchy". It is part of the healing process and is temporary. You may decrease the symptoms by taking beaneryl or applying benadryl cream to the areas that are bothering you. Try not to scratch these though as this can lead to infection.Best of LuckDr. JA. Dean Jabs M.D. Ph.D. FACSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonBethesda MD/McLean VA

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

Your concerns about numbness and itching after a facelift are understandable, but both symptoms should completely resolve with time. We have prescribed Hydroxazine to patients who have itching that is bothering them. It is a relative of antihistamines. I have not found that topical products do much for the itching. Only time will allow the numbness to resolve. Most should be gone within 2-3 months.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Plastic Surgeon

Todd C. Miller, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon to have itching during the healing process following a facelift. The sensory nerves are regenerating. The numbness starts to resolve and you can have itching that will gradually resolve as well. Oral antihistamines such as benadryl can be helpful. Make sure to follow up with your surgeon regarding how to treat the itching.

Clyde Mathison, MD · Answer

Itching after a facelift is very normal.  The area just in front of the ear and in the upper neck can be numb after the procedure.  As the nerves "start to come back", patients will typically have itching in the area.  With time, first the numbness, and then the itching, will resolve.  Oral or topical antihistamine can help, but you will want to discuss this with your surgeon first.  Hope this helps.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

The area just in front of the ear is numb after facelift, and will be so for several weeks before things return to normal. Indeed, itching is one of the signs of a return to normal skin feeling, and any lotion your skin tolerates will help with the itch.

I'm 2 months post op facelift and areas on side of face that were numb are starting to itch. Is that normal?

Answers (7)

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