Normal to Have Bilateral Numbness After Facelift?

Dear Stiff Eyelid
The side of the face is commonly numb after a facelift. This is related to the surgical dissection to elevate and lift the facial skin that is part of many facelifts. These sensory nerves tend to regenerate over time. During this time frame of 6 weeks to 6 months, it is not uncommon for patients to experience patching numbness on the sides of the face. An awarness of a pins and needles sensation heralds the return of the sensory innervation. However, this numbness can also represent compression of the Great Auricular nerve. When the side of the face and the ear lobe are both densely numb, it is usually a sign that the Great Auricular nerve has been compressed or severed during surgery. In either case, full recovery of sensation is unlikely. The compression is usually due to the maneuvers needed to tighten the neck. This type of sensory loss is much less common. However, it is my opinion that both types of sensory loss are foreseeable consequences of the facelift and as a result information regarding this possibility is included in the surgical consent.

Numbness of the cheeks and around the ears is normal after a facelift. This numbness should slowly resolve over time. In some cases, this can take many months to resolve completely, while others will see improvement much sooner.
All the best,

Many patients experience the loss of sensation near one or both ears after facelift surgery, and certain techniques make this more likely. A facelift in which the layer of tissue and muscle below the skin is elevated and repositioned (called a SMAS facelift), for example, often results in localized numbness following the procedure. It may take months for sensation in this area to completely return. That's because small sensory nerves are stretched and traumatized during the procedure. These nerves are resilient and will often bounce back, but may take months to heal completely.