How Long Does a Facelift Last?

When the mirror starts reflecting a face that doesn’t quite match how youthful you feel on the inside, it’s natural to consider options for turning back the clock. Enter the facelift—a procedure that’s often hailed as the ultimate solution for reclaiming a youthful appearance. Yet there’s always the pressing question: How long does a facelift last?

A facelift can generally last about 8 to 15 years, but it won’t stop the aging process altogether. The longevity of your results depends on many factors, and it helps to understand what a facelift can address, the signs you may be ready for a facelift, and what you can do to maintain your results.

What Symptoms of Aging Does a Facelift Address?

Facelift surgery is designed to tackle multiple aspects of facial aging in the face and neck, including the following:

• Sagging Skin: One of the most visible signs of aging is the loss of skin elasticity, which results in sagging. A facelift tightens this loose skin, smoothing the wrinkles and giving the face a more youthful contour.
• Deep Creases and Lines: Over time, deep lines and creases like nasolabial folds and marionette lines become more prominent. A facelift minimizes these creases, restoring a smoother texture to your face.
• Loss of Skin Tone: With age, the underlying supportive tissue structure weakens, leading to a loss of skin tone. Facelifts can address this by tightening the underlying muscles, improving the face’s overall tone and contour.
• Jawline, Chin, and Neck Area: A facelift at our practice addresses jowls, loss of contour, and fatty deposits in the jawline, chin, and neck area to achieve comprehensive rejuvenation.

By addressing these concerns, a facelift effectively turns back the clock on your appearance, making you look like a refreshed, younger version of yourself. View our before-and-after facelift gallery to see the results we’ve achieved for previous patients.

What’s the Best Age to Get a Facelift?

There’s no one correct answer to this question; your unique needs and goals are the most crucial factors. However, most patients consider facelift surgery when they start noticing significant signs of aging that nonsurgical treatments can’t address.

How Do I Know if I Need a Facelift?

Determining whether you’re ready for a facelift involves a few key indicators.

• Sagging in areas around your mid-face or lower face.
• The presence of pronounced nasolabial folds, the deep lines extending from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
• Loss of definition in the neck and jawline.

Finally, if you’ve explored nonsurgical alternatives such as BOTOX® and dermal fillers but find them increasingly ineffective, it may be time to consider a facelift for a more lasting solution.

What Types of Facelifts Are There?

Facelifts aren’t a one-size-fits-all procedure; rather, they can be tailored to meet individual needs and specific areas of concern. With that principle in mind, let’s explore two common types of facelifts.

• A traditional facelift is the most comprehensive approach and is especially beneficial for patients with significant skin laxity. The procedure tightens lax skin and muscle on the lower two-thirds of the face and the neck.

• A mini or short-scar facelift is a less extensive technique that improves minor sagging on the lower face for those who require less lifting and are in the earlier stages of aging.

Are Facelifts Permanent? How Long Does a Mini Facelift Last?

A traditional facelift is the most comprehensive approach and is especially beneficial for patients with significant skin laxity. The procedure tightens lax skin and muscle on the lower two-thirds of the face and the neck.

• Your skin’s natural elasticity and texture can significantly impact how long your facelift lasts.
• Your age at the time of the facelift also affects its longevity. Younger patients who are experiencing early signs of aging may find that their results last longer compared to those who undergo the procedure later in life.
• Habits such as smoking, excessive sun exposure, and poor diet can accelerate the aging process, affecting the longevity of your facelift.

Tips for Preserving Your Facelift Results

Taking care of your skin and overall health can help prolong the results of a facelift. Here are seven tips to maintain and even enhance the youthful appearance achieved through a facelift:

• Protect Your Skin From the Sun: UV radiation accelerates skin aging. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even on cloudy days or during winter. Consider wearing wide-brimmed hats and UV-protective sunglasses when outdoors.
• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: A well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants can help keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake, as both can negatively impact skin health and elasticity.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking sufficient water helps maintain skin elasticity and can give it a more radiant appearance. Keeping your skin moisturized externally with hydrating lotions and serums can also help maintain suppleness.
• Skincare Routine: Establish and maintain a skincare regimen that includes cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing. Invest in high-quality skincare products, and consider incorporating ingredients like retinoids, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, which help maintain and improve skin quality.
• Avoid Significant Weight Fluctuations: Rapid weight gain or loss affects your skin’s elasticity and volume. Try to maintain a stable weight to ensure the longevity of your facelift results.
• Regular Maintenance Treatments: Consider regular nonsurgical treatments, such as chemical peels and laser treatments, to help maintain skin health, treat developing signs of aging, and stimulate collagen production.
• Stay Active and Manage Stress: Regular exercise improves blood circulation, positively affecting skin health. Also, managing stress through practices like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing helps your skin maintain its healthy glow.

Can Other Procedures Be Combined with a Facelift?

Facelift surgery can be combined with other procedures for a more harmonious and comprehensive rejuvenation. You may wish to consider the following additional treatments to amplify the transformative results:

• Eyelid Surgery corrects drooping or puffy eyelids, making you look more youthful and alert. Whether you opt for upper eyelid surgery to remove excess skin or lower eyelid surgery to reduce bags, this can be an excellent complement to a facelift.

• A brow lift lifts the skin and underlying tissues of the brow/forehead area, providing a more youthful, invigorated appearance.

• Laser skin treatments address sun damage, textural concerns, fine lines, and uneven pigmentation that a facelift alone won’t resolve.

By combining these procedures, you’re not just focusing on individual areas but working towards a more unified, youthful look.

Ready To Turn Back the Clock?

To schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, call our Rocky Mount, NC, office at (252) 937-5003 or request a consultation. We’re excited to help you begin your journey to a more youthful, confident you.