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.

It is common for numbness to occur after a facelift. It can take a few weeks for numbness to go away, but sometimes it may take up to a year. Nerve regeneration will slowly occur over this time, allowing you to have sensation again.

It is fairly commonfor patients to experience temporary numbness on both side of their facefollowing a facelift surgery. During the skin flap elevation and the surgicaldissection some of the small sensory nerves to the skin must be transected inorder to tighten the facial muscle. These nerves will regenerate over timeanywhere between 6 weeks up to a year. During my consultation, I discuss thiswith patients, so they know exactly what to expect.

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure
performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1
year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation
returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return
from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical
procedure.  Numbness as well as neuropraxia to your muscles that animate the face are not uncommon, but typically resolve over several weeks to months.  Be patient, but certainly follow-up closely with your surgeon.The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then
occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience,
and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased
sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is
also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The
last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has
developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during
the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Numbness is common following
facelift surgery.  This is related
to elevation of skin flaps and occurs because small
sensory nerve fibers are divided during the procedure.  It can occur wherever the facelift
dissection has been performed, but is typically seen in the area in front of
the ear.  It usually lasts about
three to twelve months, but occasionally small areas of numbness persist for
longer periods of time.

It’s important to realize that more
aggressive facelift procedures cause more numbness, which can last for longer
periods of time.  In most cases,
normal sensation returns with the passage of time.  If numbness fails to resolve, with time, it’s appropriate to
consult your plastic surgeon. 

It is certainly possible to have ear numbness post op.  It involves injury to the greater auricular nerves.  The numbness probably will not get better.  Best of luck.

In short, yes, this is normal. During the facelift, the skin is separated from the underlying tissues around the ears and into the neck region. This results in a division of the nerve endings to the skin from the larger nerve branches below. The nerves repair themselves slowly (about 1 millimeter a week!).  As this happens, patients may begin to feel tingling sensations, a "lighting" bolt, or even an itchy feeling. These are all signs of nerve regrowth. Lastly, a word of caution here: when areas of the face and ears are numb, it is extra important to be aware of extremes in temperature and sun exposure. You can injure yourself without knowing it! Best of luck!

Numbness of the face is quite common after a facelift due to the severing of the facial sensory nerves during the elevation of the facial skin flap.  This usually returns to normal after a few weeks.

Yes, it is normal to experience numbness after a facelift. In fact, almost every individual will have numbness after a facelift, and it usually lasts at least 8 weeks. While I do not know how long it has been since you had the surgery, the numbness should go away. With that said, although unlikely, permanent numbness is a possibility. If it has been more than 8 weeks, you should alert your plastic surgeon.