How long does a facelift last? What factors determine how long a facelift will last?
This highly depends on the technique and your genetics.
On average a real facelift, a component SMAS type, may last 7 to 10 years but is also dependent on how well you take care of your results and your skin.
You should use sunscreen, avoid smoking and use skin care products, such as Retin-A, on a regular basis.
While genetics and skin quality are important in longevity of a facelift, technique is the number one factor in how long the result will last.
Fast recovery and minimal facelift techniques will last the least amount of time:
Thread Lifts - were very popular in the media over the last few years, but patients found they only lasted a few months to a year, and were very disappointed.
Mini-face lift - S-lift - refers to a face lift with a small amount of skin undermining (non-extensive), with limited SMAS mobilization. These are longer lasting than thread lifts, but realistically results "last" 2 to 5 years.
"Full" Face Lifts - There are many versions of the operation that fall into this class, and can be called SMAS platysma, SMASectomy, SMAS imbrication, Deep plane, Composite lift, Sub periosteal, etc. As a group, these all require extensive "re-arrangement" of the underlying facial tissues, in addition to significant skin undermining. They are technically demanding procedures that are not undertaken by in-experienced surgeons. The recovery is longer (2-4 weeks), but the results generally last 10 to 12 years.
Simply put, the more extensive the procedure, the longer the recovery period will be, and the longer you will enjoy the results.
Excellent question which is posed by almost every patient looking for cosmetic rejuvenation. Unfortunately, no physician can tell how long a facelift will last just as no physician can tell you what you will look like in the future without a facelift.
There are many factors which affect how skin ages including:
All of these factors play a role in the aging process.
Another important factor to consider is what type of facelift is to be performed. Some facelift procedures are aimed at minimal changes and may not last as long as other more extensive procedures.
A patient's age at the time of the facelift can also play into longevity as younger patient's tend to have less elastic skin, which produces longer lasting results.
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