The results of a facelift may be considered permanent in that you will continue to look younger years later than you would have without undergoing the facelift. However, a facelift cannot stop the aging process and the face will continue to age. You will, however, always look younger and better than a twin, if you undergo the facelift and your twin does not.The results will vary from person-to-person. Most patients can expect their results to last between 8 and 12 years. The length of time that patients enjoy a satisfactory improvement after a facelift depends on many factors including the quality of their skin, which is influenced by the degree of sun damage or loss of elasticity. Smokers typically have poorer quality skin. Older patients will see an earlier return of laxity, while younger patients will see a more long-lasting improvement.Heredity is important. If your parents aged slowly, you probably will, too. Your diet, general health, time spent in the sun, smoking, weight gains and losses, emotional traumas, and type of skin will all play a role in determining how long the improvement will last.Smaller procedures including PSP and MACS Facelifts may have slightly shorter recoveries, but also have significantly shorter lasting results. The exact technique is far less important than having the procedure performed by an experienced, excellentartistic plastic surgeon who individualizes the procedure based on your anatomyand desired outcome.Robert Singer, MD FACSLa Jolla, California
I agree with other who have stated that the specific approach or technique is only part of the story. Not all facelifts are the same, and the results of the procedure can certainly be enhanced by preoperative skin care, other procedures (such as fat grafting or resurfacing) performed at the time of facelift, and attentive postoperative care. In an ideal patient, we expect the results of a facelift to last about 10 years. There is so much variability, however, that your question should be directed to your particular plastic surgeon. Best of luck!
The longevity of facial rejuvenation procedures depends upon a variety of factors. These include; the patients genetics, environmental exposures and the quality of the surgical craftsmanship. It’s important to remember that these procedures set the clock back, but never stop it from ticking. The MACS and PSP are two options that are available for the treatment of facial aging. These procedures have been designed to address laxity of the underlying muscles and fascia in a minimally invasive manner. They utilize suspension sutures to improve facial contour. These procedures result in moderate improvement in facial aging. Unfortunately, they are temporizing maneuvers and most patients eventually need a more aggressive procedure. For many patients, minimally invasive surgery is an attractive alternative even when the results are not long term. When time is not available for longer recoveries, this type of procedure can be a viable option for many patients. In most cases, we prefer more aggressive procedures which more thoroughly address facial aging. These procedures have greater longevity and higher long term satisfaction rates.
