What Is a Facelift?

Also known as a Rhytidectomy, a Facelift is a surgical procedure that removes loose skin and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. This results in a more youthful appearance with a more defined jawline.

Popular Facelift techniques include:

• Traditional Facelift
• Deep Plane Facelift
• Mini Facelift
• Micro Facelift

Different Facelift techniques target various concerns and areas of the face, but the lower and mid-face are typically the most commonly treated areas. Other procedures such as Blepharoplasty or Brow Lift can be performed alongside Facelift procedures to enhance the final result and target other areas.

Understanding the recovery time for a Face lift and aftercare you will need is essential so you can fully prepare ahead of your procedure. During your consultation, your surgeon will explain the Facelift recovery time and any activities you need to avoid or adapt during your aftercare. 

What Will Happen Straight After My Facelift?

After your Facelift has been completed in our dedicated operating theatres in Chelsea, London, you will be taken into our recovery ward to start your Rhytidectomy recovery. In the recovery ward, our dedicated nursing team will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure and temperature while you wake up from your anaesthetic. Your anaesthetist will also come to check on you.

Once you have fully woken up and are comfortable, you will be transferred to our ambulatory ward. Patients usually spend 2-3 hours here having something to eat and drink and completing their initial recovery. Our nurses will continue to monitor your vital signs, and once you are ready, you will contact your chaperone so you can be discharged. You will be sent home to continue your Facelift recovery with aftercare instructions and any medication you need.

If you have any questions or concerns during your Facelift recovery time, once you have left the clinic, you will be able to contact our nursing team 24-hours a day via their recovery and aftercare phone line. 

Facelift Recovery Timeline

Depending on the Facelift technique used, Facelift recovery can be anywhere from 4-12 weeks. Your concerns and desired results will also impact your Facelift recovery time.

There are several recovery milestones you can expect to reach. Your consultant will have explained your personal Facelift recovery time and what you can expect. 

2-3 Days After Your Facelift

In the first few days following your Facelift, you will experience some discomfort from the swelling and bruising, and your face may feel very tight. Some patients feel itching around their incisions.

You should be mobile and able to move around comfortably, but it is important to rest to aid your healing and prevent any complications from arising. 

1 Week After Your Facelift

One week into your Rhytidectomy recovery, you will return to the clinic to see our expert nurses for your first follow-up appointment. They will remove your stitches, assess your condition, and redress your incisions. They will also advise you on how to care for your incisions going forward and answer any questions you have.

You will still experience some bruising and swelling and may still feel some discomfort, although this should now be lessening. 

2 Weeks After Your Facelift

After two weeks of Facelift recovery, your bruising and swelling will start to resolve. It is important to remember, the amount of bruising and swelling you experience will depend on how many layers of skin and muscle your surgeon has manipulated during your procedure.

For patients who have undergone a Micro (or One Stitch) Facelift, it is likely that your swelling and bruising will be almost entirely healed at this stage.

At this stage you should be able to return to work, but some patients feel more comfortable working from home until their bruising and swelling has calmed more. 

1 Month After Your Facelift

Your bruising should now be healed, but you may have some slight swelling around your incisions. Your face shouldn’t feel tight anymore, and your incisions will be healed. There may be some light scarring concealed within your hairline or around your ears, which will disappear over time.

One month into Mini Facelift recovery time, you can expect any swelling and bruising to have resolved. 

6 Weeks After Your Facelift

Six weeks following your procedure, you will come back to the clinic to meet with your surgeon to discuss your results and your recovery. If they are satisfied with your recovery, you will be discharged and able to return to activities such as light exercise.

Your consultant will advise you on any steps you need to continue throughout your Facelift recovery, such as scar care. This will vary depending on the Facelift technique your surgeon has used. Mini and Micro Facelift scars are usually concealed around the ears for example. 

3 Months After Your Facelift

After three months, your swelling will have completely resolved, and you will be enjoying the results of your Facelift. You will be able to return to your normal activities and feel no tightness or discomfort.

You will need to continue any scar care steps your surgeon has advised. 

6 Months After Your Facelift

Six months after your Facelift, your scarring will be less visible, and you may feel more comfortable wearing your hair tied up. You will have recovered fully from your Facelift procedure.

If you have any questions after this, you can contact the Clinic at any stage for advice and support.

Do’s and Don’ts After Facelift

Your surgeon will tell you to follow several aftercare points during your Facelift recovery time. It is essential to follow these instructions to avoid complications and achieve your desired Facelift results. 

What You Should Do During Rhytidectomy Recovery

Rest: Especially in the first 7-10 days after your surgery, resting is crucial to aid your healing and to prevent any complications from occuring.  

Adjust your sleeping position: Your surgeon will ask you to sleep in a slightly upright position and on your back for at least three weeks after your Facelift. This will stop pressure being applied to your incisions and sleeping slightly upright will help to reduce swelling.

Eat a balanced diet: Eating a diet rich in nutrients and protein will help to speed up your Facelift recovery and healing.

Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will help to reduce water retention and swelling around your incisions. 

What You Shouldn’t Do During Rhytidectomy Recovery

Strenuous exercise: Your surgeon will advise you to avoid strenuous exercise for at least four weeks following your Facelift. This will prevent pressure being placed on your incisions.

Bending over: During your Facelift recovery time, keeping your head propped up as much as possible is important. This will prevent swelling and help the skin and muscles that have been manipulated to retain their new position.

Eating too much salt: Excess sodium in your diet may increase swelling and fluid retention. Reducing the amount of salt in your diet will help you to heal more quickly 

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