What Happens During Facelift Surgery?
Each facelift surgery is a unique procedure targeted to your needs. The procedure can take between one and five hours to complete, especially if you include other treatments. Your surgeon disguises the incisions around your ears and hairline so they will become nearly invisible when healed. They will reposition the underlying facial structures in a more youthful appearance, then tighten the skin over these rejuvenated contours.
Some procedures, such as a mid-face lift or a mini facelift, may take less time and have smaller incisions. A mid-face lift benefits those who have concerns about sagging, volume loss, and lines in the cheek area but do not need a full facelift to address issues such as jowls or lower facial sagging. Your surgeon will describe your procedure, what will happen during the surgery, and what you can expect when you wake up.
How Much Downtime is There After a Facelift?
You should plan your facelift recovery to ensure you can relax and focus on healing. You can expect some bruising, swelling, and discomfort after the procedure. These effects improve after a few days and usually feel significantly better within a week.
People with minimally active jobs can usually return after one to two weeks. However, you should expect minor swelling to last several weeks. Most people can resume their usual exercise routine after three to four weeks.
Follow all your surgeon’s recovery instructions closely, including how to take your medications and care for your incisions. Healing requires energy, so plan your schedule so that you will have plenty of time to rest in the first few weeks. Contact your SAS team immediately if you have any questions or concerns.
How Long Will It Take to See My Facelift Results?
Post-surgical swelling can make your results hard to see for the first week or two. Most people can start to appreciate their rejuvenated facial contours after three to four weeks. The most noticeable swelling has resolved by this time, but you will have residual swelling lasting several months. Your results will continue to evolve and improve for up to six months.
What is the Best Age to Get a Facelift?
The best time to get a facelift is whenever you feel you can benefit from one. That feeling can happen at different ages for each person. Typical facelift candidates range from their 40s to their 70s. Each person’s skin ages differently, and some may have visible skin laxity and creases in their 40s, while others may not have concerns until decades later.
