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Facelift 1 month ago. Chin incision doing well. Big hard crusty leaky scabs formed behind ears. Why did this happen? (Photo)

They are down in size but have left a big ugly scar. I'm worried I can't ever wear my hear up and going to Europe in July. They are about the size between a quarter and a dime now, down from a half-dollar but still sore sometimes leaky. Fluid is clear with a little blood. What treatment would you ask me to do if I was your patient? Vaseline? Dry them out? Cover them? Take them off? Different topical cream? Why did this happen?

Doctor Answers 9

April 27th, 2014

1 Month Post Op Facelift

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Follow up with your Plastic Surgeon so that he can guide you through the healing process.  You should be washing the area with soap and water.  It is very important to keep the area clean, so that it will heal.  At this point, you should not have scabs and drainage.  See your surgeon to discuss wound healing as soon as possible.  Best wishes!
Robert E. Zaworski, MD


Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 61 reviews

September 13th, 2014

Slow healing behind the ears after facelift

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This can happen and is distressing. 
I recommend daily gentle washing with water and a mild soap.
Then a layer of Aquaphor, leaving the area open without a bandage.
Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD
May 6th, 2014

Scabs behind the ears

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I'm sorry to hear about your scabs after your face lift.  As difficult as it may be to realize, I'll bet that your scabs continue to shrink and will likely leave minimal scarring in the end.  Try not to worry, allow your body to continue to heal, and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Adam David Lowenstein, MD, FACS
May 3rd, 2014

Facelift 1 month ago

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Dear josh, thank you for your question.Swelling after a facelift may persists from weeks to months, causing bumps or asymmetries to appear. In San Diego, we monitor our patients closely for one year to address any issues. Follow up with your surgeon to check if this is swelling versus something else and if treatment is indicated. Best of Luck.

Roy A. David, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

April 28th, 2014

Too much tension in the wound

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is likely to have caused this. The scab is at the margin of the incision and likely to represent necrosis of the flap periphery. Keep it clean and use bactoban, bacitracin or fucidin ointment. It will heal and may not be noticable. It is possible however that the scar may need resurfacing should it be problematic. This is a simple local anaesthetic procedure. Your PS will have a preferred laser. I would use fractional CO2.
Dominic Bray, MBBS, FRCS
April 28th, 2014

Necrosis behind ears after facelift.

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You have had some skin die off behind the ears.  This can occur due to the tension on the wound - the skin is too stretched - and the blood flow is not adequate to keep it all alive.  The skin will turn dark and then fall off leaving you with a scab.  The scab will often start out dark, and then become yellow and moist as it heals.  You should keep it moist with antibiotic ointment.  It will heal, and often you can't see any residual scar.  If you do get scarring there are lasers that can be  used to improve the scars.     
John J. Martin, Jr., MD

John J. Martin, Jr., MD
Coral Gables Oculoplastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 31 reviews

April 28th, 2014

The skin behind the ear can suffer after a facelift.

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The area behind the ear of the facelift is commonly understood tension and has relatively poor blood supply. Difficulty healing is not uncommon. Fortunately most the time the results are quite good with just good care of the one. I only assist the patient's keep the skin clean and covered with a good emollient.

Learn more: http://www.zubowicz.com/subpag,23-atlanta-facelift.htm

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
April 28th, 2014

Wounds after Facelift

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Thank you for your picture.  It appears that you have had some skin loss.  This is a result of too much tension in that area.  The wound needs to be cleaned and it can be treated a variety of ways to allow it to heal.  Your operating plastic surgery will guide you concerning that.

Best wishes

Earl Stephenson,Jr, MD, DDS,FACS
Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, FACS
May 3rd, 2014

Facelift one month ago. Big hard crusty leaky scabs formed behind ears. Why?

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The incisions may have been closed under tension and are not healing ideally. However, with proper wound care, they may be ok in the end. Seek the advise of your surgeon in this matter. If worst comes to worst, you may require a scar revision after the healing is complete.

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS
Washington Facial Plastic Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.