February 27, 2025 | Facelift
5 minute read
Many people want to have smooth, glowy, and flawless skin for as long as possible. Unfortunately, the natural aging process is inevitable, and no one is immune. Facelift surgery can create amazing rejuvenation results that restore a smooth and youthful aesthetic. Here, we discuss facelift results and factors that influence how long they last.
Choosing Facelift Surgery
Years of smiling, laughing, frowning, eating, talking, and spending time in the sun eventually translates to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. While aging signs are a natural part of life, you don’t have to accept their presence on your face. Facial rejuvenation options like facelift surgery provide smooth, youthful-looking skin that still looks natural and preserves the integrity of your unique features.
Facelift Results
When contemplating facelift surgery, many patients want to know how long they can expect their results to last. In a sense, the results of a facelift last a lifetime because even though it won’t stop the aging process, no matter what your age, you will always have less skin laxity and look younger compared to if you did not have the procedure. Another way to think about it is: “How many years younger will I look after a facelift?” While there is no one-size-fits-all answer that will apply to every patient, most patients can expect their facelift results to take off, or “last,” around 10 years. Facelift surgery produces long-lasting results that are designed to be enjoyed for several years, yet the circumstances of each patient will vary.
A facelift can address moderate to severe facial skin laxity and wrinkles in the mid-to-lower face region. Once the recovery process is complete, patients can see the benefits of their procedure in smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin.
What Factors Affect How Long Your Facelift Results Last?
To better understand facelift results, it is important to be aware of a few key factors that impact your final outcome.
Facelift Technique
There are different facelift techniques, each with its own benefits and suitable for different patients depending on their concerns and goals. A mini facelift provides less extensive correction than a full facelift, which may result in mini facelift patients needing revision surgery sooner than full facelift patients. However, patients looking for moderate revision, a shorter recovery time, or even a subtle touch-up are a good fit for a mini facelift technique. Other add-on procedures, such as chemical peels or laser resurfacing, can have a more rejuvenating effect than a facelift alone and can lead to longer-lasting results.
Skin Elasticity
The quality of the patient’s skin elasticity will greatly impact the longevity of the results. Skin elasticity is determined by how easily the skin can bounce or stretch back into place. As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity due to a decrease in collagen and elastin production. This makes the skin more prone to sagging and drooping.
Generally speaking, younger patients tend to have better skin elasticity than older patients due to the natural aging process. However, age is not the only factor that affects skin elasticity. Genetics can also determine the elasticity of your skin, as your genetic makeup impacts collagen and elastin levels. Additionally, sun damage can make your skin less elastic and cause premature aging signs.
Prior Facelift or Neck Lift Surgery
Although every facelift is designed to remove skin excess and improve face and neck contour, in most cases, less skin is removed in patients who have previously had a facelift (“secondary facelift”). The more conservative approach with secondary facelift surgery, which is important to keep the results looking natural, may affect how long they last.
Post-surgery Lifestyle
While the quality of your initial results is largely determined by your surgeon’s skill and expertise during surgery, the maintenance of your results is mainly influenced by your postoperative care and lifestyle after surgery. After your facelift, it is essential to follow all of your surgeon’s aftercare instructions to ensure smooth healing and allow you to enjoy your results as soon as possible.
Even after recovery, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure the longevity of your results. This consists of eating a nutritious and balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a stable weight, wearing sunscreen whenever you’re in the sun, and refraining from smoking.
What Happens 10 Years After a Facelift?
Since most plastic surgeons agree that a facelift lasts around 10 years, many prospective patients are curious as to what happens once that time frame has passed. While a facelift can provide stunning facial rejuvenation, it cannot stop the natural aging process from continuing. Over time, facial skin will continue to age, resulting in the reappearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging.
However, facelift patients will still reap the benefits of their procedure, and their skin will look better than it would have if they never had surgery. If a patient is experiencing the reoccurrence of aging signs, a secondary facelift may be performed to address them and restore a more youthful appearance.
Have More Questions About Facelift Surgery in Grass Valley, CA?
If you’re ready to start the transformative experience of a facelift, the first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bruce Lattyak in Grass Valley, CA. Contact the Élan Clinic Plastic Surgery & Medspa to learn if you’re a candidate and what your facelift options are. You can schedule an in-person or virtual consultation by calling (530) 273-3400 or filling out the online contact form.