A great Facelift result should make you look like a younger, more refreshed version of yourself, not like a different person. To achieve optimal results, you must seek a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your procedure. In the right hands, a surgical Facelift can turn back the clock on your appearance by ten years or more. Although it can’t permanently prevent future aging, a Facelift can last longer when a patient is proactive about caring for their skin and embracing a healthy lifestyle after surgery. Here are six tips that may increase the longevity of your Facelift results and allow you to enjoy a younger-looking you for longer!
“Both a traditional and a mini Facelift can give a patient a significantly more youthful appearance by removing excess, sagging skin and tightening the underlying layers of facial tissue and muscle,” explains Dr. Nathan Leigh, a board-certified plastic surgeon and partner with Edina Plastic Surgery. “But, your results aren’t entirely dependent upon the skill of your surgeon. How long your Facelift results last depends on several factors, including the type of procedure you have had, how you care for your skin, and your overall health afterward. A Facelift is a major procedure and investment, so it’s important to do everything within your power to ensure you enjoy your results for as long as possible.”
How long do Facelift results usually last?
A traditional or “classic” full Facelift can deliver results that last up to ten years, frequently longer. Although a patient’s skin and face will continue to age after surgery, they will still look younger than they would have without a Facelift. Patients with diligent skincare regimens and those who lead healthy lifestyles can expect their Facelift results to last longer than those who don’t.
“Patients should not expect the results of a mini Facelift procedure to last as long as a traditional, full Facelift,” stresses Dr. Leigh. “Mini Facelifts are less invasive and generally recommended to younger patients and those with only a moderate amount of sagging in the mid-face. It’s an excellent transitional procedure for patients who aren’t getting the results they want from cosmetic injectables any longer but who aren’t ready for a full Facelift. Expect the results of a mini Facelift to last about five years.”
How can I make my Facelift results last longer?
#1 – Give your post-care instructions extreme priority
After Facelift surgery, patients receive extensive post-care instructions outlining how to care for their incisions, pain management, recovery tips, a timeline to introduce activities back into their schedule, and a myriad of dos and don’ts to speed their recovery and enhance their results. You must follow these instructions to the letter not only for the sake of your results but also for your safety. These instructions are designed to ensure you have a healthy recovery and that you can enjoy long-lasting results from your procedure.
#2 – Nix the nicotine in all forms
“Plastic surgery and smoking don’t mix,” advises Dr. Leigh. “In fact, nicotine, in any form, is not advised before or after any surgery because it opens a Pandora’s box of possible complications. Nicotine restricts blood flow and affects how your cardiovascular system works. This creates the potential for a negative response to anesthesia during surgery and not having adequate blood flow to heal tissues during recovery. In turn, this may lead to infection and other complications. We recommend that our patients abstain from all forms of nicotine, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping, for at least six weeks before and after surgery .”
Another reason to kick the habit of smoking, especially after your Facelift surgery, is that smoking takes an enormous toll on the appearance of your skin. Because blood vessels are restricted by nicotine, a smoker’s complexion can appear sallow and devitalized. The free radicals emitted by smoking can also cause wrinkles and premature skin aging. If you are a smoker, use your Facelift surgery as a catalyst to launch a new, healthier lifestyle to match your new, youthful appearance!
#3 – Shun the sun
“UV exposure causes over 90% of the visible signs of aging on human skin,” says Dr. Leigh. “That includes the deeper wrinkles and sagging skin that we are attempting to smooth and lift with Facelift surgery. So, it makes little sense to invest in facial surgery only to go out in the sun unprotected and accumulate more damage to your skin. Instead, protect and prolong your results by wearing a broad-spectrum SPF daily, a wide-brimmed hat in the sun, and sunglasses.”
#4 – Take the scale seriously and lead a healthy lifestyle
Gaining a significant amount of weight after Facelift surgery may distort the look of your results, especially if the cheeks and upper neck become larger. Strive to stay as close to your ideal weight on the scale to maintain the integrity of your Facelift results and make them last longer!
Exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle may also influence how long Facelift surgery results last. Exercise boosts circulation, promotes healthy, glowing skin, and helps you stay close to your ideal weight. A diet rich in phytonutrients, protein, vitamins, and minerals keeps your organ systems functioning optimally, including your skin. Managing your stress and engaging in activities like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing help minimize systemic inflammation in the body that can lead to premature aging. If you want your Facelift results to last longer, strive to lead the healthiest lifestyle you can!
#5 – Establish a relationship with an Esthetician
“At Edina Plastic Surgery, our plastic surgeons have long seen the value in our Facelift patients partnering with an esthetician to help them navigate their skincare options after surgery,” explains Dr. Leigh. “In this day and age, there are incredible, non-invasive options like chemical peels, lasers, and innovative skincare products that not only prolong a patient’s Facelift results but may actually enhance them. That’s why we introduced a unique Facelift option called the Full Focus Facelift. It partners our Facelift patients with an Advanced Practice Esthetician at Skin Artisans to help prep their skin for surgery and care for it afterward. This package also includes skincare products and laser treatments like HALO™ to address skin pigmentation, which a Facelift will not improve. It’s truly a whole 360-degree approach to skin rejuvenation that raises the bar on what a patient can expect from Facelift surgery!”
#6 – Consider the benefits of cosmetic injectables
Many patients graduate to Facelift surgery after deciding that cosmetic injectables no longer get them the results they desire. But this doesn’t mean that you’re precluded from Botox® and dermal fillers after you’ve had a Facelift.
“Just as we like our Facelift patients to partner with an Advanced Practice Esthetician before and after their surgery, our plastic surgeons also advise them to partner with one of our Skin Artisan’s Injection Specialists,” says Dr. Leigh. “A Facelift can lift, smooth, and tighten, but unless facial fat grafting is performed during your surgery, it does not address facial volume. Once a Facelift patient has fully recovered, they may desire more definition or fullness in their lips and cheeks or to smooth fine lines around their eyes from squinting. Cosmetic injectables can help correct volume loss, accentuate the definition of your best features, and reduce the appearance of fine lines not easily addressed with Facelift surgery. This subtle art of “tweaking” your Facelift surgery results with cosmetic injectables through the years can significantly increase the longevity of your results.”
Are you considering turning back the clock on your appearance with Facelift surgery? Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Nathan Leigh or another board-certified plastic surgeon at Edina Plastic Surgery by calling (612) 688-3177, texting (952) 925-1765, or CLICKING HERE.
