When is the Best Time for a Facelift, and How Long Will It Last?

There’s no specific “right” age for a facelift, as everyone ages differently depending on genetics and lifestyle. Facelifts are typically performed anywhere from a person’s 30s to their 70s. Younger individuals tend to maintain the results longer, while older patients often experience a more noticeable transformation.

Will It Be Painful?

Facelift surgery, like any procedure, involves some discomfort, but it’s usually moderate and manageable with common pain relievers. Stronger pain medication can be prescribed if needed. One common side effect is temporary numbness in the cheeks and neck, which can last for 6 to 8 months. Interestingly, this numbness can help minimize pain immediately after the surgery.

What Are the Common Risks and Side Effects?

Before undergoing any from of surgery, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and complications. Even with the best care, certain side effects can occur, such as:

• Swelling: Swelling is typical after a facelift, peaking around three days post-surgery and gradually subsiding over the following three weeks. In some cases, it can last up to six to eight weeks and small amounts of residual swelling continue to disappear over several months.
• Bruising: Bruising usually appears within the first few days and fades over two to three weeks. In more severe cases, it may take several months to fully disappear.
• Numbness and Sensory Changes: Reduced sensation around the cheeks, chin, and neck is common after a facelift. Feeling usually returns throughout the year after the procedure.
• Tightness: A sensation of tightness around the neck is common, especially when the underlying muscle is tightened during surgery. This typically resolves as the tissues heal and relax.
• Hairline Alteration: The hairline around the temples or behind the ears may shift slightly due to the incisions.
• Temporary Hair Loss: Hair thinning or loss around the incision sites can occur, though this is usually temporary and resolves within several months.
• Scarring: Scars are an inevitable part of surgery, but surgeons aim to place them in discreet locations. Scar healing varies from person to person and typically improves over 6 to 12 months, going through phases of redness and itchiness before becoming less visible.

What Are the Possible Complications?

• Infection: While rare, infections can occur. Antibiotics are typically prescribed to prevent this. Special mention must be made regarding pet dogs – please do not allow them to sleep in the bedroom and ensure you have clean bedding prepared for after the surgery.
• Hematoma (Blood Clots): Sometimes, blood can pool under the skin after surgery, forming a clot that may need to be drained. This usually happens within the first 24 to 48 hours post-surgery.
• Skin Necrosis: In rare cases, the skin may not heal properly, leading to tissue death (necrosis). This is more common behind the ears and is more likely to happen in smokers. If it occurs, the area is usually allowed to heal naturally, or a skin graft may be used to speed up recovery.
• Nerve Damage: Nerve damage is an uncommon complication, affecting about 0.7% of patients. This can cause temporary weakness in areas such as the eyebrows or around the mouth. In most cases, nerve function returns within 6 weeks to 6 months, though in rare instances, the damage can be permanent.

Understanding these risks and side effects is crucial for making an informed decision about whether to undergo a facelift. It’s important to weigh the benefits of a more youthful appearance against the potential challenges of recovery.

What results can I expect?

To get an idea of the potential outcome, try standing in front of a mirror and gently pull the skin upward at the temples and in front of the ears. This gives a general sense of the lift a facelift can achieve. The goal is a refreshed, youthful appearance that is harmonious across the face, while maintaining natural expressions. Keep in mind, though, that while a facelift can dramatically improve the face’s overall appearance, it won’t erase all wrinkles, especially those caused by long-term skin damage.

What are the benefits?

A modern facelift gives the longest lasting and most comprehensive facial rejuvenation of all procedures. It has stood the test of time, and the techniques used by the Consultant Plastic Surgeons at Purity Bridge are the very latest that have been shown to produce the best results. Necklift surgery has also evolved with advanced deep neck work really enhancing results and neck contour.