Massage of neck and face after a SMAS lift?

Massage after a facelift can be helpful if there are small lumps bumps or irregularities in the skin.  However be sure to do your massage in an upward direction.  Avoid downward pulling on the facial skin.If however you're happy with the results of your facelift  and the skin does not have any irregularities then massage is unnecessary.Avoidance of Sun, Hyaluronic Acid Based Moisturizers, the Use of Sunblock, Avoiding Nicotine, and Professional Micro-Dermabrasion Can All Help Preserve Your Result.

Thank you for your question.I do not recommend massaging for my routine facelift and especially not during the first 4-6 weeks if fat grafting was performed at the same time.  I routinely recommend volume replacement (fat transfer) with my facelift procedures.  If after 6 weeks there is still swelling or small skin surface irregularities, then massaging (upward and backward) is performed by my assistants, in office, under medical supervision.For the non fat grafting procedure, I will initiate gentle soft tissue massage 2 weeks post-op to help with residual bruising and edema (swelling), when present.  It helps the ecchymoses to resolve more quickly.  It also helps the dissolving sutures to dissolve slowly.  Again, many of our facelift patients do not require this manoeuver but when performed, it should be done by someone recommended by your plastic surgeon.That being said, at 3 months and if you are happy with the results, massaging will not make your facelift results last longer, yet, it will also not compromise your results.Best regards.

Long term restrictions after a facelift are individual and surgeon specific. Massage restrictions may relate to the type of SMAS facelift and type of neck procedure. Consulting with your plastic surgeon may help direct care including massage, but in general the areas of SMAS fixation should be healed and stable enough for massage.