Patients contemplating a facelift often want to know how long their results will last and what they can do to maintain their results. The good news is a facelift can last about 10 years, depending on your skin health and other environmental factors. Although you can’t stop the natural aging process, you can enjoy a more refreshed appearance as you age.
In this post, let’s discuss factors that can impact your results and the steps you can take to help your facelift results last longer.
Factors That Affect Your Facelift Results
Certain health and environmental factors are beyond your control, so it’s important to be realistic about the longevity of your results.
The Natural Aging Process
Typically, most individuals can enjoy their facelift results despite the aging process. As the years roll by, you may notice more lines and wrinkles around your nose and mouth, loss of fullness in the cheeks, and a less defined jawline. However, even with these signs of aging, your skin will be smoother and firmer than it would be if you hadn’t had a facelift.
Weight Fluctuations
Gaining and losing weight is a natural part of life. However, significant weight fluctuations can lead to excess, sagging skin. For the best facelift results, try to stay within 30 pounds of your ideal weight before and after your procedure.
Sun Exposure
Your plastic surgeon will advise you to stay away from the sun for 2 weeks after your surgery to avoid swelling or scarring. Although it’s OK to enjoy the sun after your incisions have healed (within reason), too much sun exposure can damage your skin barrier and cause premature aging.
What Can I Do To Maintain My Results?
Before maintaining your results, you need to achieve the best results possible from your procedure. Our board-certified and experienced plastic surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to give you natural-looking and long-lasting results. After your procedure, make sure to follow your surgeon’s aftercare recommendations so your incisions can heal properly and with minimal scarring.
Here are some tips for maintaining your results:
- Use gentle skincare products on your face. Good skin health plays an important role in preserving your facelift results.
- Always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen anytime you go outdoors.
- Eat plenty of unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods that contain omega-3 fatty; vitamins C, D, E, and K; lycopene; and polyphenols to nourish your skin.
- Quit smoking. Smoking inhibits healing and causes premature aging, so stopping for good before your surgery is an excellent idea.
Should I Combine Other Cosmetic Procedures With My Facelift?
Combining surgical and nonsurgical procedures with your facelift is an effective way to enhance and extend your results. Since a facelift typically addresses the mid and lower face, eyelid surgery or a brow lift can rejuvenate your upper face for a more youthful appearance.
A facelift is a great way to address signs of aging on your face, even though your results may change over time. These before and after photos show how our patients look younger and more refreshed after a facelift. To learn more about how to get the best results from a facelift, request a consultation or call us at (949) 760-0600 to schedule an appointment.
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