---
title: "Neck Lift Scars: Incision Locations, Healing Timeline and Warning Signs"
url: https://drturner.com.au/blogs/neck-lift-scars/
date: 2026-04-19
modified: 2026-07-25
author: "Dr Scott J Turner"
description: "Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) Key Takeaways Neck lift incisions sit behind each ear in the natural post-auricular crease and in a small fold beneath the..."
categories:
  - "Facelift"
image: https://drturner.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/blogplaceholder-img.svg
word_count: 2000
---

# Neck Lift Scars: Incision Locations, Healing Timeline and Warning Signs

*[Dr Scott J Turner](https://drturner.com.au/dr-scott-turner-sydney-plastic-surgeon/) | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS)*

> **Key Takeaways** Neck lift incisions sit behind each ear in the natural post-auricular crease and in a small fold beneath the chin, both chosen for concealment. Visible redness and firmness usually settle within two to three months, while full scar maturation continues for 12 to 18 months. How well a scar heals depends on genetics, smoking status, sun protection and aftercare, with silicone gel the best-supported treatment. A direct neck lift is the exception, using a more visible front-of-neck incision for selected patients.
Scarring is one of the first questions patients ask about [neck lift surgery](https://drturner.com.au/procedures/face/neck-lift/), and it's a reasonable question. The neck is a visible area, the incisions are meaningful in size, and patients want to know whether surgery will be obvious to others.

The honest answer is that neck lift scars are designed to be well concealed, but they are real incisions that go through a healing process, and understanding that process removes most of the uncertainty. In day-to-day social settings, most patients find their scars aren't noticed by others once healing is complete. This guide covers where the incisions sit, how they mature, what affects the outcome, and when something warrants review. Queensland patients can read about [neck lift consultations in Brisbane](https://drturner.com.au/locations/brisbane/neck-lift/).

## Where Are the Incisions in a Neck Lift?

Neck lift incisions are placed in locations chosen specifically to minimise visible scarring.

**Behind the ears.** The primary incisions run in the natural skin crease behind each ear, the post-auricular sulcus, and extend a short distance into the hairline. This crease is a naturally deep, shadowed fold that conceals scars well even at close range. With normal hair styling these incisions are not visible.

**Beneath the chin.** A small incision of approximately 2 to 3 cm sits in the natural crease beneath the chin, providing direct access to the platysma muscle and submental structures. This scar sits beneath the jawline and is generally not visible from the front, including in photographs taken straight on. It is typically the most easily concealed of the neck lift incisions.

## Scar Pattern by Surgical Approach

The incision pattern follows the technique, so the scars you can expect depend on which operation your anatomy calls for.

| Approach | Incisions used | Scar visibility |
| -------- | -------------- | --------------- |
| Anterior neck lift (submental only) | Single incision beneath the chin | The most limited scar pattern. Nothing behind the ears |
| Full neck lift ([platysmaplasty](https://drturner.com.au/procedures/face/neck-lift-platysmaplasty/) with skin redraping) | Submental plus post-auricular, extending into the hairline | Both sites used to allow muscle repair and skin tightening |
| [Deep neck lift](https://drturner.com.au/procedures/face/deep-neck-lift/) | Same submental and post-auricular incisions | Works on deeper structures without adding to visible scarring |
| [Direct neck lift](https://drturner.com.au/procedures/face/direct-neck-lift/) | Vertical incision down the front of the neck | More visible scar, accepted as a trade-off in selected cases |

The direct neck lift deserves its own note. It leaves a more visible front-of-neck scar, but it can be the appropriate trade-off for selected older patients with significant excess skin who prioritise a single-stage correction and accept the scar in exchange. It isn't a compromise version of the other techniques; it's a different decision with a different trade-off, and it suits a specific patient group rather than being offered generally.

## How Neck Lift Scars Heal

Scar healing follows a broadly predictable timeline, though individual variation is significant. Most patients feel comfortable in public and at work well before healing is complete.

**Weeks 1 to 2.** Incisions are closed and healing. The submental incision may look slightly pink or raised, and some swelling or bruising around the incisions is expected. The post-auricular incisions sit within the crease and are generally not visible even at this early stage. Sutures usually come out around one week.

**Weeks 2 to 6.** The active healing phase. Scars may become slightly more pink, firm or raised during this period before beginning to fade. This is normal maturation rather than a sign of a poor outcome, and itching along the incision lines is common.

**Months 2 to 6.** Progressive fading. The post-auricular scars typically become difficult to detect within the natural crease, and the submental scar fades from pink toward a pale, flat line.

**Months 6 to 18.** Final maturation. By around 12 months most neck lift scars have softened and lightened to the point where they're difficult to detect unless pointed out. Maturation may continue to 18 months in patients with slower-healing skin types.

## What Affects Scar Quality?

Not all patients scar identically, and several factors influence the outcome.

**Genetics and skin type.** Some patients are predisposed to hypertrophic or keloid scarring. A history of poor scar healing elsewhere on the body should be raised at consultation. Patients with darker skin phototypes carry a higher risk of hypertrophic scarring and pigmentation change, and this is worth discussing specifically. Even where there's a tendency toward thicker scarring, careful placement in natural creases usually means the scars remain discreet.

**Smoking and nicotine.** Nicotine compromises blood flow to the healing wound and is one of the strongest predictors of poor scar outcome, raising the risk of delayed healing, wound breakdown and visible scarring. This covers cigarettes, vaping, patches and gum. Elective neck lift surgery isn't recommended for patients unable to cease all nicotine products for the full healing period.

**Sun exposure.** Fresh scars are particularly sensitive to UV. Direct sun on healing incision lines can cause permanent darkening that's difficult to reverse, which matters year-round in Australia rather than only in summer.

**Surgical technique.** Incision placement in natural folds, tension-free closure and layered closure all contribute to minimising visibility. These sit within the surgeon's control.

**Post-operative care.** Scar management from week two or three onward supports better healing, and starting promptly and continuing consistently makes a measurable difference.

Final scar quality is a partnership between what happens in theatre, meaning placement and closure technique, and what you control during recovery: nicotine cessation, sun protection and adherence to scar care.

## Scar Management After Neck Lift

From approximately week two to three, once incisions are fully healed with no residual crusting, a scar management programme can begin.

**Silicone gel or sheets.** The best-supported topical treatment for improving scar height and redness when used consistently over several months. Silicone hydrates the scar and reduces melanin stimulation, and is the primary recommended intervention. Applied once or twice daily over healed incisions for two to three months, with sheets able to be worn overnight over the submental scar.

**Massage.** Once incisions are fully healed and confirmed clear at your post-operative review, gentle massage helps soften scar tissue and reduce firmness. Circular motion over the scar for two to three minutes, once or twice daily. Never massage an area that's still open, scabbed or tender.

**Sunscreen.** SPF 50+ over all exposed incision areas whenever outdoors, continuing for at least 12 months after surgery.

Specific instructions come from your surgical team at the post-operative review. If you're unsure whether to start or change a scar product, checking first is safer than experimenting on healing skin.

## Warning Signs and When to Seek Review

Most neck lift scars heal without incident. These signs warrant contacting the practice rather than waiting for the next scheduled appointment:

- **Increasing redness, warmth, swelling or discharge** from an incision, particularly with fever, which can indicate infection
- **Increasing pain after the first few days** rather than steady improvement
- **Wound separation or an area that opens** after sutures are removed
- **A scar becoming progressively raised, thickened or firm** beyond the usual weeks 2 to 6 firmness, particularly if it extends beyond the original incision line
- **Darkening or dusky discolouration** of the skin along an incision edge
- **A scar widening or stretching** over the months after surgery, which can happen where tension sits on the closure and is worth reviewing early

Timing matters with scar problems. A hypertrophic scar caught at two or three months usually responds well to silicone, compression or corticosteroid injection. The same scar left until it's fully mature is harder to improve. Raising a concern early costs nothing, and if it turns out to be normal maturation, that's a reassuring appointment rather than a wasted one.

## When Scars Become More Visible

Neck lift scars are well concealed under most circumstances, but there are situations where they may be noticeable.

**Hair worn up, short or cropped.** The post-auricular scars extend a short distance into the hairline, and in most patients this area is covered by the natural fall of the hair. Patients who wear their hair very short or closely cropped behind the ears should discuss placement at consultation, as the incision pattern can sometimes be modified for a specific hairstyle. Where skin is redraped, the hairline behind the ear can also shift slightly, producing a small step in the hairline that's worth knowing about in advance. Hair density in that area affects concealment too.

**Very close inspection.** At a few centimetres, healed incision lines may be detectable as a slight change in skin texture even when fully mature. In everyday situations such as conversation across a table, these changes are rarely noticed.

**Hypertrophic or widened scarring.** In a small number of patients the scar becomes raised and firm rather than flat and pale, or stretches wider than the original incision. This is more common with a genetic predisposition, in patients who used nicotine during recovery, or where wound healing was suboptimal. True keloid scarring in these areas is uncommon. Where it occurs, improvement is usually possible with a combination of silicone, corticosteroid injections and time, performed in the rooms rather than requiring further major surgery unless a formal scar revision is planned.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Where exactly are neck lift scars?** Neck lift scars are placed behind each ear in the natural post-auricular crease, extending a short distance into the hairline, and in a small crease beneath the chin. These locations are chosen specifically for concealment: the post-auricular scars sit within a shadowed crease, and the submental scar sits beneath the jaw where it isn't visible from the front. A direct neck lift is the exception, using a vertical front-of-neck incision in selected cases.

**Are neck lift scars visible?** For most patients, neck lift scars aren't noticeable to others in normal social or work settings once healing is complete. At very close range, healed incision lines may be detectable as a slight texture change, but this is typically imperceptible in casual settings. Visibility also depends on hair length and styling, since the post-auricular scars extend into the hairline.

**How long do neck lift scars take to heal?** Visible redness and slight firmness typically resolve within two to three months. Scars continue fading and maturing for 12 to 18 months after surgery, and most patients find they aren't noticeable to others well before full maturation. Individual timelines vary with skin type, genetics, sun exposure and adherence to scar management.

**What can I do to improve my neck lift scars?** Silicone gel or sheeting from around week two to three, continued for two to three months, is the most evidence-supported intervention. Add strict sun protection over incision areas for at least 12 months, gentle massage once incisions are fully healed and cleared, and complete avoidance of nicotine through recovery. Raising concerns at follow-up early rather than waiting is part of the plan rather than an imposition.

**Can neck lift scars be treated if they heal poorly?** Yes. Hypertrophic, raised or widened scars can be treated with silicone sheets, compression or intralesional corticosteroid injection, and outcomes are generally better when treatment starts before the scar fully matures. In the less common situation where a scar remains prominent at full maturation, scar revision may be considered. Most neck lift scars heal well with proper management and need no further treatment.

---

If scarring is the concern holding you back from surgery, it's worth raising at consultation, since incision placement can sometimes be planned around hair length and styling. Dr Scott Turner consults in Sydney and Brisbane. For clinic information and the consultation pathway, visit the [Sydney clinic](https://drturner.com.au/locations/sydney-clinic/) or [Brisbane clinic](https://drturner.com.au/locations/brisbane/), or [contact the practice](https://drturner.com.au/contact-us/) to arrange a consultation.