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 great common question that will (and should!) be asked many, many times over the years. In essence, a great facelift should address the following:1.  Tighten the muscles of the neck (platysma) and face (SMAS layer)2.  Correct any banding (ie cords) under the chin3.  Sculpt any fat in the neck to provide better contour4.  Remove excess skin and close incisions meticulously with minimal tension (to reduce scarring possibility)These should be the minimum requirements for a successful lift.  That said, unfortunatley no lower facelift/necklift will last forever.  I have attached a video that will dive into more detail.Hope this has been helpful!

Typically I tell my patients that a facelift lasts between 8-10 yrs. That being said you will always be ahead of the game and look younger than your chronological age. However no one can stop gravity and this will ultimately age your face. Many things can help a facelift last longer and those things include botox, fillers, a good skin regimen and other non-invasive modalities. Hope this helps.