Recovery from facelift surgery can take four to six weeks. Many people feel comfortable returning to work after 10 to 14 days, but it will take a few additional weeks to feel “back to normal.”
Your comfort during recovery from facelift surgery can be maintained by following the directions provided by our office. These include tips on incision care and restrictions on demanding physical activities. Also included in your facelift recovery instructions will be medications, herbs, supplements, and other things you should avoid to help prevent complications.
Some swelling and bruising are common after facelift surgery. Keeping incisions dry and clean, minimizing exertion, and allowing yourself to rest can all help to improve comfort.
Swelling can further be reduced by improving circulation. Taking several short walks throughout the day can help you achieve this goal and improve your recovery experience. Bruising will subside naturally. From week two forward, you can cover bruising with makeup until it has gone away.
Results from facelift surgery are immediate. As soon as the swelling and bruising are gone, your facelift results will be noticeable to everyone. Once results have been fully realized, you can expect them to last for 10 or more years.
Will There Be Scars?
Incisions for facelift surgery are often placed along the lateral forehead hairline. This option allows any scars to be hidden behind the hairline. In some cases, additional incisions are needed in the natural folds in front of and behind the ear. Scars from these incisions should be well hidden in the natural folds of the ears.
Preventing the development of visible scars relies on proper aftercare. Avoid blood thinning medications such as ibuprofen, refrain from nicotine and other vasoconstrictors, keep your incisions dry and clean, and allow yourself time to rest. These things will help ensure the most pleasing outcomes.
If visible scars develop, revision ointments or silicone scar sheets may help to reduce their appearance. Some non-surgical treatments, including chemical peel and laser skin resurfacing, can also be used for surgical scars.
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Chatson is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon known for putting our patients first. If you are considering facial plastic surgery, call our North Andover office at 978-687-1151 or our Nashua office at 603-882-2103 to schedule your consultation today.
