Avoiding visual tipoffs to face lift surgery. A troubleshooting guide

As aesthetic surgeons we should look more closely at our finished products. A visible scar, distorted ear lobe or tragus, or unnatural hairline says "face lift" to a patient's friends and creates a self-conscious, unhappy patient. The modifications I have adopted of accepted techniques give a more natural look and less conspicuous scarring. They avoid the most dreaded question a patient's associates may ask: "Have you had a face lift?" The text outlines the areas where tipoffs are most prevalent and makes suggestions to minimize them. It is impossible to do inconspicuous surgery all the time, but it is possible by careful observation to minimize visual tipoffs. An unnatural tragus or bad scar should be considered as severe a complication as nerve damage. We should use as proficient avoidance techniques for one as for the other.