Hole behind ear. How much scarring will I have from this? (Photo)

Thank you for your question and pictures.Sometimes it is possible to close such a wound once it is clean but one has to have enough skin to do so.  Some other times one has to allow it to heal on its own and perform a scar revision at a later time.  It may take a few weeks to close on its own.I am sure your plastic surgeon wants the best for you and he/she is in the best position to guide you in the next course.Hope this helps!

Best regards,Dr. Marc DuPere, Toronto Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

The decision whether to re-suture the area or allow it to heal on its own is a judgment call. If a suture failed and repair of the area will hasten recovery. If the issue is due to blood supply then healing by secondary intention is probably safer proposition. Trust your surgeon and check in for evaluation often.

Infections can sometimes happen post op, despite clean technique and perioperative antibiotics. In those cases, you sometimes have skin breakdown. It's best to first allow the ineffective to heal, the skin to come in, and then at a later date, re-excise the scar. Because it's nicely tucked behind your ear, it will be easy to hide. At times you can re-close it early, but it's not always so clear that the infection has fully healed yet. 

Thank you for your question.  You have an area that opened up likely due to infection,  It should heal and scar in.  The scar can be revised down the line, but it takes time to get everything healed, which can be stressful.  Make sure you keep in communication with your surgeon.  All the best,

One of the known problems after facelifting is that one of the suture lines can pop open.This is usually secondary to the facial skin being pulled to tight which can reduce the blood supply and then trauma by the patient, even very minimal, can cause the wound to open. The goals, save the skin, prevent infection, help the body heal as well as it can. It then will heal. It will take at least six months. You may require scar revision, Kenalog injections or skin resurfacing but if you are going to get this problem the best place to get it is behind the ear.

Small dehisces of a neck lift surgical wounds ( behind the ear) may happen specially after infections.In my practicem wound dehiscence usually heal after several days or weeks of wound dressings. The resulting scar appearance and size depends on the patient's particular healing capabilities. I tell my patients that one the wound is healed, the scar should be allowed to mature at least 1 year before considering any scar revision.John Mesa MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
New York City (#NYC) & New Jersey (#NJ)Neck Lift Specialtis
RealSelf Top 100 Plastic Surgeon

Hello! Thank you for your question and photos! Skin flap necrosis is a potential complication following facelift. Although uncommon, when it does occur, it is cnormal to allow the area to heal without surgical intervention. It sounds like and appears that your surgeon is treating you appropriately. After fully healed, scar revision may be entertained, if needed. At this point, the area appears without infection, is healing well, and clean. Continue to follow your surgeon's instructions. Although early in your postoperative period, it already appears that your result is excellent. Best wishes for a wonderful outcome!

Yes there is significant separation in the wound.  With good wound care, coordinated with your doctor this type of problem can heal well.  It is in a favorable location behind the ear.  It is possible that a scar revision may be indicated in the future but for now the most important thing is good wound care.

Sorry to hear about your wound healing problem.  With good wound care and control of infection, these often heal remarkably well with time.  Follow your surgeon's directions about the daily care of the area.  I believe it will take another few weeks to heal in.All the best,

I wouldn't say it is "normal" but very uncommonly this can happen. During this procedure the skin is lifted off of the underlying tissues which provided blood. Therefore, the very edge of the skin, where you have your wound, is dependent upon microscopic vessels to bring blood and nutrition to it. More commonly in smokers and people with compromised microvascular blood supply, the edges of the skin may die off and scab. It is more likely to occur in an area of tension, such as behind the ear.I think expecting this to heal in one week is optimistic, but more likely, within a couple of weeks it should close in. The area will be thicker scar, a patch of redness which will fade over several months. luckily, it is obscured from direct vision. Give it several months and if you are still bothered by this scar it would be easy to revise it with a small procedure.Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA