When can I go out in public without looking like I just had facelift surgery?

Recovery from a facelift takes many forms. Physical recovery. Social Recovery. Recovery of sensation. Because it is your face, the interruption in social activities is often the hardest part of the recovery.

Pain:

Most patients have only mild pain after a facelift and it is usually gone in one or two days. I give only Tylenol #3 since stronger medications are not needed.

Driving:

I allow patients to drive after 4 days if they are off pain meds. Before this, some mild neck stiffness may make driving safely more difficult since you may not turn your head as far to look for cars.

Swelling and Bruising:

Recovery from a facelift involves bruising (usually down low along the neck) and swelling which increases some each day for the first 4 days after surgery. On the 5th day after surgery this begins to improve rapidly and usually by the 7th or 8th day after surgery makeup can be applied. Patients often tell me with a scarf and some sun glasses they can run quick errands. At this stage they would not necessarily want to run into a close friend if they are trying to be discrete.

Dinner With Friends:

For a patient to sit down to dinner with friends and not be asked any questions, I believe it takes about two weeks. Occasionally a very dark bruise may not be completely gone but can be effectively covered with makeup. About 80 % of the swelling is gone so the remainder is hard to detect. Sometimes a slight change is hairstyle can be used to help explain away any differences a close friend might notice.

Exercise:

I ask patients to wait on exercise and heavy lifting until 3 weeks after surgery. Otherwise I don't limit their activities

Numbness:

Mild facial numbness seems to always go away completely but takes about 9 months. Fortunately this does not bother most patients especially once they realize its temporary.

Thank you for your question. Following a facelift, there is undeniably a period during which most patients prefer not to be seen in public due to the appearance of expected swelling and bruising. Most people are able to resume public appearances within 10-12 days with the use of makeup and hair styling to help conceal any residual bruising or early scar discoloration.

My facelift patients spend the first night in recovery, then go home the next morning. They are are instructed to avoid straining for the first two weeks. Sutures are are removed at 5-7 days.  Most at return to work in 1-2 weeks. They are cleared for full activity at two weeks. Half the the swelling is gone at one month. Half resolves in the first year. 

The majority of patients feel comfortable in public about two weeks following their facelift. Occasionally, there may still be some bruising which would require coverage with makeup.  The swelling can last for up to 8 months but is not severe and usually unnoticeable to others.

This depends on the individual's perception. Typically after a facelift, most patients can begin to go out in public around 10-14 days post-surgery. By this time, much of the swelling and bruising will have significantly reduced, and any remaining marks can often be concealed with makeup. However, it's advisable to avoid large social gatherings or important events until about 4 weeks, as this allows for more of the bruising and swelling to resolve. Some patients may feel comfortable running errands or meeting with close friends earlier, but for major events, waiting a bit longer may help ensure you look your best without significant stigmata of surgery.


Dr. Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS
Harvard, Johns Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Educated
Double Fellowship Trained
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
New York, New York

Typically, the downtime for recovering from a facelift is one to two weeks. There will be some bruising and swelling after your facelift, but this generally subsides over two weeks. If you are planning a big event, we advise that you have your facelift at least eight to twelve weeks beforehand.
There should be minimal discomfort, as Dr. Rankin uses a long-acting local anesthetic to improve overall recovery time. You can choose an outpatient or inpatient surgery for your facelift, which will be performed at one of our surgical centers in Greenbrae or Walnut Creek, conveniently serving the entire Bay Area. With either option, you will be sent home with minimal facial dressings to promote healing.

This is a very common question that we get and an excellent one!
Most surgeons use a fairly robust facelift dressing for the first several days to the first week which can often be a clue that someone had a facelift. The bruising and swelling will likely resolve over the first week or two. The incisions can be visible for the first 3-4 weeks, though fortunately are often hidden along the hairline or along natural creases of the face, making them easier to hide.
So to answer your initial question, I would probably say you could go in public after the facelift dressing is removed (around 1 week), though you will have some swelling/bruising and may benefit from having a light scarf or something wrapped around to minimize visibility of the incisions.

Hi there!
Most patients are "socially presentable" 2-3 weeks after their facelift surgery. This is when the obvious swelling and bruising should subside. It is important to consider that incisions may still be obvious during this time and take time to heal/fade, however, if you have longer hair they are easily covered.

Hello, hope you are well. This is a very common question! Generally speaking, most patients feel publicly 'presentable' around 2 weeks after surgery. In my practice, surgical drains are removed 1 day after surgery, and sutures are removed 1 week after surgery. After that, bruising becomes the most visible sign of recent surgery. In most cases, by 2 weeks bruising is gone or only traces remain that can be easily concealed. Patients may begin wearing makeup at 2 weeks postop if they wish. Keep in mind that everyone is different in terms of their personal comfort level and the severity of bruising/swelling that occurs after surgery.
Best,Dr. Tower

Great question! Every one heals slightly differently, but in general, you're passable in public by the 2 week mark. Right after surgery, my patients are placed in a bulky head wrap with drains. Both are usually removed the next day. The sutures in front of the ear are removed at one week, and the sutures behind the ear are removed at the two week mark. Makeup can be worn at two weeks, so you're able to conceal any residual bruising.

Thank you for your question and I appreciate your concern. Recovery from facelift surgery is different for every patient, but there is a basic pattern and timeframe most patients follow. Most will experience bruising and swelling for about 7-10 days that will be very difficult to disguise. Patients often opt to remain out of public view during this time. By the two-week mark, patients typically look much better and can hide residual evidence of surgery with makeup. After 3-4 weeks, patients are usually able to resume workouts and enjoy a more active lifestyle. I encourage you to find a very experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who will listen to your concerns and give you plenty of information about how to prepare for your procedure and recovery so you have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the experience.