How Long Do Facelift Results Last?
As a person ages, the tone, texture, and elasticity of the skin begins to change. These aging effects are further impacted by years of exposure to harsh environmental elements. All of this can result in unwanted signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, deep creases, and sagging skin.
A facelift smooths and tightens the skin along the mid to lower face to improve a person’s appearance by erasing many of the common signs of aging. A facelift offers effective and long-lasting results, but patients should not expect the results to be permanent.
Prior to performing facelift surgery, plastic surgeon Stuart Baker prepares our Decatur, IL patients for how long facelift results may last.
Factors That Affect Facelift Results
Facelift surgery involves significant surgical alterations, many of which are permanent. For instance, the skin and tissues that are removed during a facelift procedure will be gone for good. However, that doesn’t mean that the results of surgery are permanent.
After facelift surgery, patients will still be susceptible to all the same factors that aged and changed the skin to begin with, including:
- Genetics
- Environmental elements
- Skin care practices
- Lifestyle choices
In addition to these factors, the duration of facelift results will depend on the type of surgical technique that was used, whether any additional procedures were performed, and the age of the patient at the time of surgery.
Typical Facelift Results
Because there are so many factors that can affect facelift results, Dr. Baker cannot say exactly how long facelift results will last. The extent and lifespan of surgical results truly are unique for each person.
One thing we can tell our Decatur area patients is that the more invasive a surgical procedure is, the longer the results tend to last. For instance, under optimal conditions, the results of a full facelift can last for up to 15 years. Because a mini facelift is a less invasive procedure, its results cannot be expected to last as long. Still, with good care, the results of a mini facelift may last upwards of six years.
Can I Prolong Facelift Results?
There are many steps that our patients can take to support surgical healing, preserve the condition of the skin, and prolong facelift results. These simple practices can help facelift results reach their maximum potential:
- Closely follow all provided post-surgical care instructions
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
- Avoid sun exposure as much as possible
- Use sunscreen with UV protection whenever outdoors
- Refrain from unhealthy habits such as smoking and heavy drinking
- Maintain a diet that is rich in nutrients
- Use physician-grade skincare products to cleanse and moisturize the skin
- Consider minimally invasive procedures (dermal fillers, laser treatments, chemical peels, etc.) to keep the skin looking healthy and refreshed
Contact Us
Facelift surgery refreshes the appearance of the skin. If you are interested in learning more about the facelift procedure, contact us at your earliest convenience, or call (217) 877-9000 or (217) 877-9439 to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Stuart Baker.
