MODEL RELEASED. Face lift. Image 2 of 3. Surgeon using a scalpel and tweezers to separate skin from muscle during a face lift (rhytidectomy). The female patient has an incision that starts at her temple (not seen), runs down in front of her ear and then behind the ear into the hairline. This is repeated on the other side of the face. Once enough skin has been separated, the muscles will be tightened and excess fat removed. The skin can then be lifted up and pulled back to produce a tighter, smoother face. Excess skin will be trimmed off and the incision sewn up. Stitches can be removed five to six days after surgery. See M590/307-309, for a sequence showing a face lift.