Tips for recovering from a facelift
Whether due to genetics, sun exposure without protection, or the passage of time, we all eventually face sagging skin on our faces. Since its beginning in 1901, some have chosen the facelift – a procedure that tightens muscles, lifts tissues, and removes excess skin – to achieve a more youthful look.
Preparing for a facelift involves general plastic surgery preparations, but there's another crucial aspect to consider before the operation: recovery. What you do after leaving the operating room is vital for a successful outcome. Here, we detail the essential knowledge about recovering from a facelift. Continue reading to discover the most important recovery tips and aftercare advice.
Recovery tip #1: Avoid overexertion
After any surgery, whether cosmetic or not, it's necessary to take it easy. "Patients should avoid excessive effort," says Denver-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Manish Shah. "Actions such as bending over or picking up heavy objects can raise blood pressure in the face. This increases the risk of bleeding under the facelift flap, potentially leading to a hematoma." A hematoma is a localized collection of blood that can reduce the blood supply to the overlying facial skin, causing problems with wound healing.
Wait approximately two weeks after surgery before resuming daily activities and about one to six weeks before engaging in more strenuous work, like exercise. After this period, swelling will be significantly reduced, incisions will heal, and the risk of bleeding will decrease.
Related: 5 Signs You’re a Good Candidate for a Facelift – and 4 Signs You’re Not
Recovery tip #2: Steer clear of certain substances
"Patients should avoid substances that thin the blood, both before and after surgery, such as medications like aspirin and Ibuprofen, alcohol, and certain health supplements," says Dr. Shah. "They increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery, which can cause complications like hematoma formation."
If you smoke, Dr. Shah suggests stopping the habit four weeks before surgery to reduce nicotine in the bloodstream. "Nicotine constricts blood vessels, so exposure can result in poor wound healing," he warns. "Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke also face risks of wound healing problems after facelift surgery."
Alcohol dilates blood vessels, increasing the chances of bleeding and bruising after surgery. It's best to avoid smoking and drinking after a facelift.
Recovery tip #3: Stay relatively still
According to Dr. Shah, excessive head and neck turning is a common recovery mistake for facelift patients. "This action strains the new incisions, which can lead to wide or raised scars that are difficult to cover with makeup," he says. As the swelling in the surgical area resolves over time – usually after two to three weeks – it becomes safer to turn your head and neck with less tension, reducing the risk of more noticeable facelift scars.
Recovery tip #4: Stay away from the sun
After facelift surgery, the facial skin becomes more sensitive to sunburns, so patients should avoid UV exposure after the procedure. "It's best to wear a high-quality sunscreen and stay out of the sun for the first few weeks after surgery to prevent sunburns on the healing facial skin," says Dr. Shah.
Recovery tip #5: Avoid extreme temperatures
"Sometimes patients ice their faces too much," says Edison, New Jersey, board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Miller. "Remember that after a facelift, there will be some numbness and the patient won't be able to tell if the skin is getting too cold or frostbitten." Instead, use a washcloth soaked in icy-cold water for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for the first week.
Icing isn't the only temperature-related concern. Dr. Miller says some patients have also used heating pads on their necks during recovery, which doesn't always go well. "This is a problem because the skin is still numb and patients have actually burned themselves," he explains. "So be cautious."
Related: 10 Doctors Give Their Best Facelift Advice, in 10 Words or Less
Recovery tip #6: Eat nutritious meals
A healthy diet is always essential for good health, but it's especially crucial after surgery. "The most important thing a patient can do before surgery is improve their nutrition," says Dr. Shah. "This is even more important after surgery, as surgery increases the metabolic rate and often reduces the appetite." Dr. Shah asserts that if you decrease your calorie intake, you could slow down wound healing and recovery. "I recommend a high-protein diet and supplements like vitamin C to maximize wound healing."
Recovery tip #7: Rely on your support system
It's well-known that patients often experience a period of low mood for about a week after facelift surgery. Looking in the mirror and seeing a different, swollen and bruised face can be challenging. "Promoting mental health after surgery is essential," says Dr. Shah. "We recommend that patients have a group of trusted people to support them after the surgery." Activities that boost the spirit without posing risks to the facelift are encouraged. Invite family or close friends for a chat, play card games, or simply watch Netflix. This kind of social interaction is a good distraction for those feeling down after the surgery.
Recovery tip #8: Keep the incision clean
Another important recovery tip is to keep the incision area clean to prevent infection. "The incision lines are the only evidence of the facelift, so we want them to heal as well as possible," explains Dr. Miller. "A buildup of debris or crusting will slow this process."
Always wash your hands before touching the incision area. To clean the surgical wound, prepare a mild soap-and-water or saline solution and apply it gently. Use a damp washcloth to remove any dried blood or drainage; avoid using alcohol, peroxide, or antibacterial soap when cleaning.
Recovery tip #9: Stay upright
The swelling needs to decrease from the head down, so Dr. Miller recommends that patients sleep elevated at least 30 degrees for two weeks to avoid fluid accumulation. "This will facilitate faster healing," he says.
Recovery tip #10: Follow your doctor's schedule
How long does facelift recovery take? Even if your personal schedule conflicts with the recommended follow-up plan by your doctor, skipping the required post-operative examinations can be a major mistake. Dr. Shah says these appointments are crucial as they can help identify correctable problems that might otherwise be missed, leading to less-than-optimal results. Overall, you should plan for about a month of recovery and facelift healing, by which point all bruising and swelling will have subsided.
Recovery tip #11: Be aware of potential side effects
It would be great to undergo a facelift without any side effects, but they do exist, and it's important to be informed in advance to avoid surprises. It might seem counterintuitive considering the procedure is on the face, but one of the common side effects is hair loss and thinning. Since the operation involves cutting along the hairline, some patients experience hair loss around the incisions or general thinning around the temples. Your surgeon will strategically plan the incision locations to minimize the impact on hair, but after the surgery, you should wait at least one day to wash your hair and at least six weeks before cutting or coloring it. Other side effects of a facelift include small blood clots in the tissue, prolonged swelling, and ridges from fat removal, but these are usually temporary and typically subside within a few months of the procedure.
Recovery tip #12: Be patient
As one of the simpler but often hardest to follow recovery rules, being patient during your recovery is highly recommended. While facelift recovery might seem endless during the process, it's important to take it one day at a time. "Swelling disappears, sensation returns, scars fade, and all patients eventually look 'normal,'" reassures Dr. Shah. "You can't rush recovery. It can be challenging to slow down and allow yourself to heal, but in the rush to return to our busy lives, we can compromise recovery or forget that it can take 6 to 12 months to fully recover." As mentioned, it's common for patients to become discouraged, but patience is key. "If you're in the hands of a skilled surgeon, it will all be worth it," says Dr. Shah.
