When performing facial plastic surgery, the surgeon must be able to provide the desired results while maintaining a natural unoperated appearance. This of primary consideration especially in face lift surgeries, and begins and ends with the design and planning of the incisions. Over the past decades many different techniques have been described and proposed.
The design of the incision and the extent of undermining will vary depending on the facial contour, degree of skin laxity, and advancement the plastic surgeon desires for the needs of the patient. To obtain a natural result the surgeon must avoid hair loss or readjustment of the hair line, changes in normal anatomical structures and obvious placement of incisions. These sequelae are commonly seen with temporal hair loss, stair-steps hair loss of the occipital region, loss and/or distortion of the tragus and earlobes, and visible scarring.
