Does A Facelift Last Forever?

A good facelift can have effects that last forever. However, the effects of gravity and aging start to take effect immediately after surgery.

There are many factors that influence the length of time your result will last. Certainly, the facelift technique plays a big part in the longevity of the result.

It’s important to understand that not all facelift techniques are the same even if the skin incision is similar.

Other factors that influence the result are the quality of your skin, age, weight fluctuations, smoking, and sun exposure. (Brian Kreul, MD, Medford Plastic Surgeon)

Typical face lift results last around 10-15 yrs.

The factors that determine the longevity include patient specific anatomy, patient sun exposure/protection post op, the depth of the procedure performed, the size and length of the incision used, the type of sutures used and adjunct procedures such as fat transfer.

A Healthy Lifestyle, Good Diet, And Avoiding Sun Damage Are All Critical To Help Your Results Last

I add fat transfer to almost all of my facelift patients as it really makes a big difference and adds to the longevity in my experience. It is important to talk about all of this with your surgeon.

Unfortunately face lift is one of those procedures that really is dependent on how much you do. So the more pain the more gain holds true for this procedure in my opinion. (Benjamin Caughlin, MD, Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon)

The facelift lasts forever, but the patient keeps aging…

There are many different types of facelifts, and which technique is chosen in an individual patient will have a dramatic impact on the immediate post-operative result, as well as its longevity.

In general, the more aggressive the facelift, the more dramatic the result, and the longer lasting, but at a “cost” of a longer recovery period and more surgical risk.

Likewise, the more ‘simple’ the facelift with the shortest/easiest recovery, the less dramatic the result and the less long-lasting the result. All that being said, how quickly we age also determines how long the facelift will last.

Forever Facelift Photo

A facelift simply ‘resets the clock,’ but the clock continues to run and unfortunately, the signs of facial aging ultimately re-manifest.. (Bryan Correa, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

The benefits of a facelift last forever – you will always look younger than you otherwise would have. After a facelift you will continue to age normally – we turn the clock back, but the clock continues to run. (Cory Goldberg, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

Does a facelift last forever?

The answer to that question depends but in broad terms the facelift will eliminate many of the aging changes and this will last forever (in that you will always look younger than you would have without the procedure).

With or without a facelift however you do continue to age so all the facelift does is set you backwards along the aging curve so that the changes will be less significant over time than they would have been without it.

Photos Of Forever Young Facelift

Unfortunately we have no procedures that can actually stop the aging process. For those reasons, the better question is how long does a facelift last before you might start considering a second facelift. Recent studies show the magic number is about 10 years before the aging curve catches up and there are enough new age-related changes to warrant a secondary procedure. (Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

Forever younger

A well performed facelift will firm muscles, contour fatty deposits, and lift and remove excess skin that is present at a certain point in time. This can take off a few years or many (usually 10-15) years depending on how much laxity and excess you have when it is performed.

You will continue to age at your rate depending on various factors both intrinsic and extrinsic including genetics and hormone changes, medical conditions and medications, sun exposure, diet and lifestyle choices that affect weight and circulation and skin care.

Quitting Tobacco, Limiting Your Alcohol Intake, Eating A Healthy Diet

Because skin is permanently removed, you will always be ahead of where you would have been if you had not done it. As with anything that ages, you will need ongoing maintenance though. (Stephen Fink, DO FAOCO, Newport Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Essentially, a facelift lasts forever since you would always look better after the facelift than you would otherwise. By rejuvenating the face in this way, you are effectively turning back the clock so that your aging process is reset to a new starting point.

Depending on your age at the time of the procedure, skin type and facial contours, you may consider further rejuvenation in 8-12 years. (Michael R. Macdonald, MD, Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Facelift Longevity

In essence, a great facelift should address the following:

Face Lift Results Last Forever, But The Aging Process Keeps On Going

  1. Tighten the muscles of the neck (platysma) and face (SMAS layer)
  2. Correct any banding (ie cords) under the chin
  3. Sculpt any fat in the neck to provide better contour
  4. Remove excess skin and close incisions meticulously with minimal tension (to reduce scarring possibility)

These should be the minimum requirements for a successful lift.

That said, unfortunatley no lower facelift/necklift will last forever. (Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCO, Las Vegas Facial Plastic Surgeon)

How long a facelift lasts

You will always look younger having a facelift, short scar lift, mini lift, etc. for the rest your life. Typically, these lower facelift and its variants will last 5-10 years depending on the individual patients age and skin quality and surgical technique used.

After 5-10 years one does not necessarily need a another lift but there will be enough again where surgical lifting may improve results if desired. No lift will last forever but again some techniques and patients genetics will give a longer lasting results.

How To Make Your Results Last Longer

Every surgeon will have a unique way he performs a lift based on his experience and according to individual patient’s needs. Speak with your surgeon regarding how long their lift will typically last, revision rates, and patient satisfaction.

Ask how many facelifts and how often this surgeon performs facelifting. (Raymond E. Lee, MD, Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon)

The Duration of a Facelift

The results of a facelift will last forever. Of course, aging will continue to occur, but not in the same way. There are a number of factors that can impact when and if you will need another lift, such as:

  • Age,
  • Lifestyle
  • Genes

Typically, if another lift is required, it will be another 7-10 years before a touch-up may be required. It also depends on the type of treatment. There are some treatments that are only addressing sagging skin, and not lax muscles. Those minimal lifts will not be as effective in reducing the signs of aging. (Amir M. Karam, MD, San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon)

The Improvement Does Last Forever Even Though The Aging Process Still Continues

Some people need one facelift that lasts forever, in other people the facelift will only last a couple of years.

What are the factors that influence the results of a facelift:

  • Age of patient at the time of surgery
  • Health of the patient
  • Weight changes
  • Smoking
  • Sun Exposure
  • Genetics
  • Skin elasticity.

(David Finkle, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)

Unfortunately Face Lifts Do Not Last Forever

While face lifts do not last forever, they can have long lasting results!

Depending upon many factors:

  • Surgical technique used
  • Surgeon’s skill
  • Your genetics
  • Smoking
  • your health

You can get results that last a minimum of 2 years to 2 decades.

Real Facelift Results Will Last For Years

While the facelift may turn back time 10 + years you continue to age and mature. Depending upon how hard you may look at yourself, you may request a touch up at 2 years or 2 decades.(Mark Berkowitz, MD, Sterling Heights Oculoplastic Surgeon)

We have a saying in facial cosmetic surgery: “The facelift lasts forever, but the patient continues to age.” Although this is a bit tongue in cheek, the point is that a facelift can ‘set back the clock’ but the clock keeps running.

How fast that happens depends on the patient – some people age quicker than others, and there are other factors that contribute significantly as well, such as weight gain and loss. Therefore, how ‘long’ the result lasts is also variable.

It is critical to start (or continue) a good anti-aging regimen to slow this down as much as possible, and to try and maintain a stable weight. (Bryan Correa, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)