How Long Will My Facelift Last?

It’s a simple question: “Dr.Marcells, How long will the effects of a facelift last?”  The simple answer is “forever,” in that your facial tissues will always be tighter than if you hadn’t had the procedure. In truth, however, a complex set of factors will affect the longevity of the results, so a more accurate answer is, “It depends.”

This gives rise to a second question, “Depends on what?”

In this post, I want to answer that question with information about what can be expected from different types of facelift techniques, and things a patient can do to ensure the most lasting results.

The “Life Expectancy” for Top Facelift Procedures

On average, facelifts can last anywhere from two to ten years. The surgeon’s skill is an important factor, as is the type of facelift technique.Some patients prefer a facelift procedure with a short recovery period so the impact, on their lives is minimised. This type of procedures may decrease longevity of results, and more frequent touch ups will be needed.

•  Endoscopic Mid-Face Lift – Also known as an “anti-gravity lift,” this procedure treats the middle third of the face—the region between the lower eyelids and the level of the mouth—where the first signs of ageing generally appear. Results can last up to ten years.It should be noted, however, that this lift does not address signs of ageing in the forehead, jowls, neck, etc., which can often overshadow the results of the mid-face lift in terms of facial rejuvenation.
• S-Lift – Also known as the “mini-lift,” an S-lift rejuvenates the lower two thirds of the face and neck like a facelift, but it does not lift the cheeks, improve folds of skin around the nose, or rejuvenate the midface. It gets its name from the narrow, S-shaped section of skin excised from the area in front of the ear. This technique focuses solely on the laxity of skin, and it is commonly known that tightening the skin alone leads to unacceptable scars and extremely short-term results.
• Deep Plane Facelift – The “gold standard” of facelifts and the procedure I most often recommend, a deep plane facelift is a longer lasting alternative to other facelift procedures. It repositions soft tissues by lifting the entire face, rather than simply manipulating superficial layers of skin. The results lasts, on average, 10-12 years.

Self-Care for Maintaining Facelift Results

You can’t stop the march of time, but there are some techniques that can slow that march to a snail’s pace. Most importantly

•  Protect your skin from the sun.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
• Follow a regular skincare routine customised to your personal needs.

There is also a wide range of non-surgical rejuvenation treatments that can help you preserve the effects of your facelift.

•  Cosmetic injectables can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
• Dermal fillers can add volume and definition.
• A chemical peel can supplement your skincare regime.

Want to know more about facelift techniques? If so, then I’d like to invite you to schedule an appointment at my practice. You cansend me an email or use the ‘book consultation’ feature of this website to make an appointment, or contact us by phone at 1300 555 095.