How Long Does A Facelift Last?

Enhancing The Results Before Your Facelift

Before your facelift even begins, you can take steps to enhance your results. It’s important to follow the instructions laid out by your surgeon, including:

• Reducing your cigarette and alcohol consumption
• Attending any appointments before your surgery
• Using skincare products approved by your surgeon
• Managing stress with meditation, yoga, and other methods leading up to your surgery
• Stay hydrated by drinking an ample amount of water to promote skin elasticity

Additionally, knowing what to expect during and after your surgery can get you in the right headspace to care for your skin. Here are some answers to important questions you may have:

How Long Does The Facelift Treatment Take?

How long the facelift treatment takes will largely depend on the type of facelift and the area being treated. However, the average duration typically ranges from 2-5 hours. Mini facelifts will generally be shorter and less invasive, but other factors include the specific technique used, the extent of correction needed, and whether additional procedures are performed concurrently.

When Will I See The Results?

Most patients see initial improvements in the appearance of their face and skin shortly after the facelift procedure. However, final and more refined results will become noticeable as swelling and bruising subside, usually within a few weeks to a few months after surgery.

Longevity of A Facelift By Type of Facelift

Certain facelifts have longer-lasting results, due to a more comprehensive treatment of your facial tissues. Understanding the average longevity of different facelift types can help you choose the approach that best aligns with your aesthetic goals. Here are the differences:

Traditional Facelifts

This facelift, also known as a full facelift, addresses both the face and neck. In this approach, the surgeon lifts and repositions deeper facial tissues, tightens muscles, and removes excess skin. Due to the comprehensive nature of the procedure, these facelifts provide longer-lasting results compared to other options.

Overall, you can expect traditional facelift results to have a lifespan of over 10 years, making the procedure a popular choice for anyone wanting long-lasting results.

Deep Plane Facelifts

These facelifts use advanced surgical techniques to address deeper facial structures, including the underlying muscle layer. This approach provides one of the most natural-looking outcomes possible, with impressive longevity.

Due to the complex and comprehensive process, you can expect a deep plane facelift to last well over 10 years, making it one of the best choices for enduring facial rejuvenation.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift involves less invasive techniques that target specific areas of the face (i.e. the lower face and jowls). While mini facelifts can deliver impressive outcomes, they may require additional touch-ups over time.

This option has an average longevity of 5 to 10 years, making it suitable for anyone who wants moderate improvements with less downtime.

Factors Influencing Facelift Longevity

While the average lifespan of a facelift can help you decide which procedure is right for you, several factors contribute to the duration of your results. Understanding these elements is key to setting realistic expectations:

Type of Facelift

As mentioned previously, the longevity of your results depends on the type of facelift procedure you undergo. Mini facelifts may provide more temporary improvements, lasting less than 10 years, while more comprehensive treatments will have longer-lasting outcomes. In part, this is because traditional and deep-plane facelifts address facial skin and deeper layers of tissue.

Lifestyle Habits

Your lifestyle habits can have a profound impact on your facelift results. While certain habits like smoking or eating processed food can drastically decrease the longevity of your results, the opposite is also true. Healthy habits, such as following a balanced diet and exercising regularly may increase how long your facelift lasts.

Sun Exposure

Excessive sun exposure is a known contributor to premature aging and can compromise the results of a facelift. The harmful UV rays damage your renewed skin, which will accelerate the natural aging process.

Age and Collagen Production

When you get a facelift surgery, your current age will have an impact on how long your results last. This is largely because collagen, a protein that provides structural support to the skin, tends to diminish with age.

While your facelift will stimulate collagen production, contributing to the restoration of skin elasticity, having less collagen overall can reduce the lifespan of the results. In general, though, maintaining collagen levels is an ongoing process influenced by factors like overall health, nutrition, and skincare routine. All of which you can improve upon.

Genetic Factors

Different people will naturally have different levels of collagen production, sun resistance, and more. These factors, which are unalterable and linked to your DNA, influence the rate at which facial tissues naturally change over time.

Tips For Extending The Lifespan Of Your Facelift

While certain factors like your age and genetics are out of your control, these are the minority. Many of the ways you can extend the lifespan of your facelift are fully in your control. To maximize the chances of long-lasting results, consider incorporating these practices into your post-operative care and daily life:

Follow Care Instructions

Following your facelift surgery, your surgeon will provide detailed care instructions. Adhering to post-operative care instructions is crucial for a smooth recovery and optimal results. This includes avoiding strenuous activities during the initial recovery period, taking prescribed medications, and attending follow-up appointments.

Adopt a Skincare Routine

Establishing a consistent skincare routine that includes gentle cleansing and moisturizing is essential for maintaining the health and condition of your facial skin. High-quality skincare products, specifically tailored to your skin, can promote collagen production, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and contribute to a more youthful complexion.

While you can do research online to discover effective skincare routines, we also recommend regularly consulting with your surgeon and other skincare professionals to further refine and optimize the routine.

Sun Protection

In a similar vein, the importance of sun protection about the longevity of your facelift results cannot be understated. Wearing sunscreen with adequate sun protection factor (SPF) and adopting sun-safe practices are essential for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.

Healthy Diet

Eating a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants can leave visible signs of improvement on your skin and increase your facelift’s lifespan. Nutrient-dense foods support overall well-being and aid in the body’s natural healing processes. Reach out to your surgeon or a nutritionist if you have any questions about the best foods to eat.

Drinking Lots of Water

Water is life for your skin, and ensuring you drink ample amounts of water each day can extend the lifespan of your facelift. Hydrating is especially crucial in the initial days following your facelift procedure. The surgery may lead to mild swelling and bruising, and maintaining proper hydration levels can expedite the healing process.

Avoiding Harmful Habits

Smoking, drinking alcohol, fast food consumption, inactivity, and more can all have a negative impact on your skin. Smoking, in particular, is known to accelerate the aging process and may compromise how long the results last. Avoiding these harmful habits can increase the effectiveness of facelift procedures long-term, as well as improve your overall health.

Regular Check-Ins with Your Surgeon

Scheduling regular follow-up appointments with your plastic surgeon allows them to monitor your progress, address any concerns, and provide guidance for maintaining a more youthful appearance. These check-ins also provide an opportunity to discuss potential touch-up procedures or additional treatments.

Additional Procedures

Combining facelift surgery with complementary procedures, such as neck lifts, dermal fillers, or cosmetic injectables, can enhance the results of your facelift surgery. If you’re concerned about maintaining your appearance over time, consider discussing adjunct treatments with your plastic surgeon.

The Importance of A High-Quality Surgeon

Whether you go for a mini facelift or a full facelift, the surgeon you choose will play a crucial role in how long the results last. Here’s why choosing a high-quality surgeon is so crucial:

• Precision and Skill: If your loose skin is a canvas, then your surgeon is an artist. Skilled professionals have the precision necessary to perform facelift procedures with unmatched attention to detail. Their ability to understand facial anatomy and execute precise techniques contributes to achieving natural-looking and long-lasting results.
• Customized Care: Every face is different, and the best surgeons tailor the procedure to meet your unique facial characteristics and aesthetic goals. A personalized approach assures that the facelift addresses specific areas of concern, producing better, long-lasting results.
• Comprehensive Evaluation: Before planning your facelift, reputable surgeons conduct a thorough assessment of your skin condition, lifestyle, and medical history. This comprehensive evaluation allows them to determine the most suitable facelift technique and set realistic expectations.
• Use of Advanced Techniques: There are always new and innovative techniques being developed for facelift procedures. The best surgeons will keep us with these cutting-edge methods, and by incorporating them, they can achieve more natural and enduring results.
• Postoperative Care and Follow-Ups: A high-quality surgeon is committed to your postoperative care, ensuring a smooth recovery process. They provide detailed instructions for aftercare, monitor your progress during follow-up appointments, and address any concerns you may have. This attentive care promotes optimal healing and increases the chances of long-lasting results.

Overall, a skilled and experienced surgeon is crucial for achieving a facelift with results that stand the test of time. Their expertise, personalized approach, and commitment to postoperative care collectively contribute to a successful and enduring outcome. Luckily, the surgeon you choose is fully in your control.

Book a Consultation with a Board-Certified Surgeon Today

If you’re interested in achieving a youthful appearance with long-lasting results, you’re in luck. Dr. Ardesh offers life-changing facelift treatment options by assessing your unique facial anatomy, discussing your aesthetic goals, and recommending the most suitable approach to achieve lasting and natural-looking results.

Treatments are designed to match your unique features and promote your skin’s natural healing processes, giving you the tools you need to look better for longer. So, if you want to see long-term changes, contact us at Schedule your consultation online or visit our office in 150 S Rodeo Dr Suite 260, Beverly Hills, CA 90212