How Long Does a Facelift Last?

These are averages for what patients report after their surgery.

Threadlifts: Most patients notice a benefit for 6 months to 1 year. No permanent benefit is usually noted since the tissues usually slide past the sutures. In all cases when we have removed threads during revision procedures, the sutures have held no tension and were often quite loose. The data are not fully in on Endotine lifts performed with undermining (lifts performed with a self dissolving device that hooks onto the cheeks or brow), but the longevity is likely to be longer than for threadlifts with no undermining.

Minilifts: Most patients notice a benefit of 2-4 years. If tissue is undermined and advanced and sutured it to a new position, there will likely be a permanent, lifelong benefit from this procedure and the procedures listed below this; patients are always "ahead of the game" by a certain amount, although of course the face continues to age.

Revision facelifts: 2-7 years. Since some of the advancement of the tissue has already occurred, revision facelifts generally do not achieve the rejuvenation effects of a first time lift. However, the ability of a cleverly done revision facelift to restore a natural unoperated, youthful appearance can be transformative.

Facelift skin only: 3-6 years average

Facelift with SMAS treatment and volume restoration (i.e. LiveFill or fat injection): Most patients notice 5-8 years in improvement, less in young patients with minimal aging signs, more in older patients who have several ancillary procedures done at the same time.

Facelift with SMAS treatment and volume restoration with many ancillary procedures (face, eyes, brow, lip lifts, LiveFill, Neck-Lace, conservative CO2 laser i.e. 360 Facelift). Many patients report 8-12 years of rejuvenation or more.

A natural reduction in aging does not result from tightening alone. The more clues of aging that are reduced, the better and more harmonious the appearance. Patients with well performed facial plastic surgery appear younger, but also prettier (or more handsome), if facial beauty and balance are enhanced through ancillary procedures in an addition to the usual tightening.

Here is the dilemma:  if a patient gets a well done facelift, but for example ignores volume losses, aging eyes, aging skin tone, yes, the result is better but it is not complete.

That is why the best and longest lasting results, by far, are with a facelift expertly done combined by a number of carefully chosen ancillary procedures.  In the right hands, this combined approach of facelift plus ancillary procedures also produces the most believable youth.  

This is a difficult question to answer
in a general sense because each patient — and each surgery — is completely
unique. Without a specific patient in mind, it's safe to say that results can
last between 8 and 12 years, and possibly more with proper care. Many factors
determine how long facelift results can last. Some include the technique used (a deep-plane facelift will
last longer than a mini facelift), any weight gained or lost by the patient after
surgery, and the patient's personal habits including smoking
and sun exposure. To learn more about how long facelift
results are likely to last for you, I recommend speaking to a board-certified
plastic surgeon in person. Best of luck.

Great question!
Most surgeons will quote that a facelift "lasts" for about 10-15 years. I think this can be a bit confusing for patients as it doesn't immediately revert to how things were before surgery at the 10-15 year mark. I like to think of this more in terms of aging as a car going down a hill and surgery resets and puts a brake on the car for about 10-15 years before resuming its slow descent.
As far as how long the facelift lasts depends alot on your surgeon and their chosen technique. Something like a deep plane facelift that utilizes the muscular/SMAS strength layers for the lift is likely to last longer than a mini lift or something that doesn't address the deeper layers of the face.
Hope this helps!Kyle Kimura, MD

A well-executed facelift generally can make you look 5-10 years younger. The results and duration depend on multiple factors including your age, unique anatomy, and the surgeon’s technique. The results of a facelift won’t disappear over time, but you will continue to age. In other words, a facelift will turn back the clock, but won’t stop the clock. Ten or even twenty years after surgery, you will show less facial aging than if you had never had a facelift. You can help maintain your results by avoiding sun exposure and smoking, following a good skincare regimen, and nonsurgical treatments like Botox and skin resurfacing.

Hello,

The longevity of a facelift depends on many factors, including genetics and aging patterns, lifestyle habits(sun exposure, smoking, weight) and the quality of the surgery! Generally speaking, most facelifts last anywhere from 5-10+ years.
I always tell my patients that they are set back in time permanently and will always look better than they would have without the surgery. Some undergo a second facelift if they are dissatisfied with the recurrent pattern of aging and are very particular about their appearance. Those who undergo their first surgery at a relatively younger age may opt for a second surgery to maintain their lift 10-15 years later.
Performing a complete face/neck lift with SMAS flap technique, and fat grafting restoration of soft tissues imparts greater longevity as well.

Warm regards,
Dr Pedy Ganchi
Village Plastic Surgery

Great question. I generally tell patients there are a couple of ways to look at this. In one sense, the results are permanent because even 10, 15, or 20 years later you will look better than if you didn’t have a facelift. We will turn back the clock, but the clock keeps ticking. You will continue aging from a new, younger-looking baseline and your genetics and lifestyle choices will affect your long-term outcome. Your results will last longer if you limit sun exposure, avoid smoking, follow a healthy diet, and use great skincare. Max out maintenance with Botox, fillers, and collagen-stimulating treatments like micro-needling or TempSure Envi RF treatments, and your facelift will last even longer! As always, I advise patients to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial surgery and find someone you connect with and trust. Good Luck!

Experience has shown that, when based on an effective SMAS correction, a facelift should provide rejuvenation in appearance of the treated areas in most for around 8 – 12 years, and often longer. Naturally this can vary depending on an individual’s genetics, skin elasticity, lifestyle and skin care. The benefits achieved by the removal of excess skin and the provision of deep layer support will provide a degree of benefit for a lifetime. This means that if you are 50 and your facelift helps you look, say, 40 years of age in treated areas then, when you are 60, treated areas should still look around 50 and so on. In other words, the years that have been taken off your external appearance should largely stay off, however, as we cannot stop the ageing process completely, you will continue to age, albeit slower than most others around you

The longevity of a facelift is largely dependent on the technique used in surgery.  Our preferred technique for a facelift is a Minimal Access Deep Plane Facelift.  A Deep Plane Facelift treats the heavy and sagging underlying musculature- which can create more substantial improvement that is longer lasting than other "SMAS" based facelifts.  

Of course, one facelift does not equal the other. When we ask our patients how much the facial rejuvenation surgery turned back the clock for them, the answer ranges from 8 to 15 years. This also means that after such a timeframe, the patient may look similarly to the time before the procedure. On the other hand, a facelift has a permanent benefit as after a good facelift, you should always look better than your imaginary twin who did not have the surgery. 

When we are dealing with human tissue, the answer is as diverse as there are types of skin. Genetics, and environment are great  indicators of how long your facelift will last. If your face started aging early this could mean weak collagen that will not hold a repair for a long time. Physical activities that involve bouncing, such as running, are guaranteed to cause early laxity of skin. I've seen patient start to develop mild laxity after a year, and others look tight after 10. So, the answer to your question is that it depends on the individual .Best,Dr Results

Thank you for your question. On average, most people get a decade of looking their best. Every patient differs. Factors working against you include: genetically poor skin elasticity, poor muscle tone, depression, smoking, or if you are unrealistic.
Best wishes.