Facelift is also one of the most common facial plastic surgery procedures. A facelift can help individuals look younger and more refreshed with tighter facial skin, eliminating wrinkles caused by the process of natural aging.
Many people consider getting a facelift to restore their appearance to a more youthful and refreshed look.
But how long does a facelift last? And what factors affect its longevity?
In this article, Yazdani Aesthetics will answer these questions and provide tips for maintaining your facelift results.
What is a facelift?
A facelift is a surgical cosmetic surgery that helps lift and tighten the facial skin and tissues. A facelift can involve removing excess skin, smoothing out wrinkles, and repositioning fat and muscle. A facelift can improve the appearance of the lower two-thirds of the face, including the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
However, a facelift does not address the upper third of the face, such as the forehead or eyes. For that, you may need additional procedures, such as a brow lift.
It’s always advisable to review the specific steps of a facelift procedure with a qualified medical professional such as Dr. Yazdani. However, the following steps can provide you with a general overview of what is typically involved in a simple facelift procedure:
- Anesthesia: You are given medication to make you comfortable.
- Incisions: The surgeon cuts in the hairline and around the ears. Another cut may be made under the chin.
- Tissue manipulation: The surgeon lifts the skin and tightens the tissue and muscle underneath: Excess fat may also be removed or moved.
- Skin redraping: The surgeon removes extra skin and puts it back over the new face shape. The skin is fixed with sutures, staples, or glue.
- Recovery: The surgeon puts bandages and maybe drains on the cuts. You will get instructions on healing, easing pain, and avoiding infection. You must also rest and keep your head up for a few days. The bandages and drains are removed after one or two days, and the sutures after one week. The swelling and bruising will decrease over the weeks.
Now that you know what a facelift is, let’s take a look at the longevity of a facelift.
How long does a facelift last?
The longevity of facelift results varies from person to person depending on factors such as age, skin type, and lifestyle habits. In general, most patients can expect their facelift results to last around 12 years before noticing signs of aging again.
Let’s dive a little deeper into how to make it last longer and what you should avoid in order to not destroy the result of your facelift surgery.
How to make a facelift last longer?
A facelift does not stop the aging process, and your results will gradually fade over time. However, there are tips and methods for you to slow down this process and make your facelift last longer:
1. Follow your aftercare instructions carefully
This will help you heal faster and avoid complications that could affect your results.
2. Protect your skin from sun damage
Wear sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses whenever you go outside. Sun exposure can cause premature aging and skin cancer.
3. Keep your skin hydrated and nourished
Use moisturizers, serums, and creams that suit your skin type and contain antioxidants, vitamins, and peptides. These can help boost collagen production and prevent wrinkles.
4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Eating healthy food, drinking enough water, and exercising regularly are key to improving your overall health and wellness, as well as your skin quality. It helps slow down the aging process and promote collagen production, which helps with your skin’s elasticity.
5. Consider non-surgical treatments to enhance your results
You can have injectables, lasers, peels, or microneedling to smooth out fine lines, improve skin texture, and restore volume and glow to your face. These treatments can complement your facelift and extend its benefits.
What will shorten the longevity of facelift surgery?
A facelift result can last longer if you take good care of it. However, there are certain things that can actually shorten the result of your facelift. Here are some examples:
1. The type of facelift you have
A full facelift can last longer than a mini facelift or a non-surgical facelift, as a full face lift addresses more areas and deeper tissues of the face.
2. Your age at the time of surgery
The younger you are when you get your facelift, the longer your results may last. This is because your skin and tissues are more elastic and resilient at younger ages.
3. Your skin condition and genetics
Your skin type, colour, texture, and thickness can affect how well your skin heals and ages after a facelift. Some people may have more sun damage, wrinkles, or sagging than others due to their genes or lifestyle.
4. Unhealthy lifestyle
Smoking, drinking alcohol, sun exposure, poor diet, stress, and lack of sleep can all accelerate the aging process and damage your skin. These habits can also impair your healing and recovery after a facelift.
Conclusion
A facelift can be a rewarding investment in your appearance and self-confidence if you take good care of your skin and health after the surgery. The result of a typical facelift can last for years to come if you avoid things that damage your facial skin and follow the tips we provided to make it last longer.
