How long does a skin-only facelift last?

Hi,

A skin-only facelift typically yields results that last around 2 to 5 years. The exact duration varies depending on factors like skin elasticity, age, lifestyle, and genetics. Since this technique doesn't address deeper facial tissues, the skin is solely responsible for sustaining the lift, which can lead to earlier signs of sagging due to the skin's natural tendency to stretch.

Patients seeking more enduring results might consider procedures that incorporate deeper tissue layers, such as the SMAS or deep plane facelifts, which can extend the longevity of the outcome to 10 years or more.

My comments and recommendations are solely based on your text and are subject to change. I always recommend a face-to-face consultation with a specialist to plan the treatment.

Best wishes, Dr. Surmeli.

Skin only treatments usually do not give long lasting results. If you are going to have a facelift surgery please try to get a deep plane facelift for a long lasting result.

I appreciate your concerns and you must understand that very few board-certified plastic surgeons. find any indication to do a skin only facelift. In either a full facelift or mini facelift, it is advantageous to tighten the fascia and muscle below the mid face and neck regions to attain the best result and longevity. Come see me or an another board certified plastic surgeon in our area to explore the best options for you. Best of luck.

A lot depends on your age and how much skin laxity you have. Without photos it is hard to get specific.

It all depends on the quality of your skin. A young skin on a thin person who does not smoke and has no sun damage will last much longer than a heavy face, older person with sun damage and smoker.

It really depends on you, how much skin you have, the quality of your skin, your health, etc. However, it can range from just a few months to a couple of years.

There's a big difference between a skin-only facelift and a deep plane facelift, or SMAS facelift. The main problem with a skin-only facelift is that the result isn't optimal. Pulling only the skin creates tension in the scar, and it's very likely that not only will you not get a good result, but the scars will also become thick and noticeable. No plastic surgeon expert in facial surgery would recommend a facelift where only excess skin is removed. I recommend you find a good plastic surgeon who is an expert in facial surgery, with whom you can be sure of good results.

A skin-only facelift (without deep tissue or SMAS manipulation) that removes about 2 cm of skin on each side in the mid-face area generally provides limited and short-term results.

Many patients come to me and ask about different types of facelift surgery: SMAS, skin-only, deep plane, short scar, ponytail lift etc. There is not one answer that applies to all patients because every patient is, indeed, different. I've performed facelifts on identical twins, and guess what? They were not identical in their facelift needs. Certain areas of the face are improved with certain types of facelift approaches. So, for example, the jowls and marionette lines are best addressed with a deep-plane approach. The skin of the midface can benefit from a cutaneous approach. And the neck, with the resuspension of the SMAS. To answer your question specifically, it would depend on your age, the degree of sagging/aging, and the area you'd like to change.

A skin-only facelift typically lasts just 3 to 6 months, offering minimal longevity despite requiring surgery, anesthesia, and downtime. The reason is simple: skin tightening alone does not address the deeper structural causes of aging. More similar to a thread lift than a facelift, it provides only a superficial lift by pulling the skin against gravity, without reinforcing the underlying support system of the face.
In contrast, a deep plane facelift works with the natural support structures, repositioning the muscles and deep tissues rather than simply stretching the skin.
Imagine trying to lift an object with bent elbows versus pushing it upward with full arm extension—your ability to create real, lasting movement is far greater when working with natural support.
Skin lifting alone is inherently unstable, as the skin will quickly relax back to its original position, making it an inefficient approach for lasting rejuvenation.