How Long Until Swelling Is 100% Gone After Face Lift?

With most Facelift techniques including those which alter the  SMAS, most of the swelling is gone after 3 months , however, if you had a deeper layer or had a Mid-Facelift via the lower eyelid and cheek area, it may be prolonged for several more months.  In general, you will see more prolonged swelling if you manipulate the central face or cheek area .  The swelling will go away with over the next 3 months .

In my patients, I need to have them back to work in 10-14 days in most cases so I use an outer cheek area SMAS facelift and central facial fat compartment restoration using the patient's fat to replenish the deep facial areas which lose fat with facial aging

I get this asked all the time by my patients, and unfortunately everyone is different. However in total most patients can be seen in public with makeup on in about 14-17days. After that the swelling slowly dissipates in about 6 months. Some days the swelling will be better than others and this can be dependent on how much salt intake as well as sleeping position. Things that I have found that have helped not only swelling but the bruising are hyperbaric oxygen and ultrasound therapy. Hope this helps!

Thank you for this question! I usually tell my patients that 3-10 days is the peak time for bruising and swelling. Most people are ‘restaurant ready’ by 2-3 weeks after facelift surgery, which means with make-up on and under not-too-bright lighting. Milder swelling can go up and down, depending on the day, for 2-3 months but to answer your question specifically, it’s possible though uncommon, to have stubborn areas where swelling can that take up to 6 months to resolve. Healing after any surgery is a journey and scars, for example, continue to remodel and improve for a year or more. Patience and open communication with your surgeon is most important when you are recovering from a facelift. As always, I advise patients to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial surgery and find someone you connect with and trust. Good Luck!

I would say it takes about 3 months for all of the swelling to subside. It may take longer if fat injections were placed.

Thank you for your question! A majority of the swelling post-surgery will last approximately 1-2 weeks depending on the patient’s health and the surgeon’s technique; however, I have had patients who, immediately upon the removal of their headdressing bandage, are public-ready!  If the surgeon is slow, careful, and cauterizes as he or she operates, you will likely have minimal bruising and swelling.  If you are a patient who requires fat transplantation to correct volume loss, this can add to the recovery time, as fat transplantation can cause longer-lasting swelling.  To achieve the best results, I recommend that my patients take arnica preoperatively. Postoperatively it’s wise to steer clear of foods containing high sodium levels. I recommend as well that my facelift patients see my in-office nurse who can provide lymphatic drainage massages:  while it might be risky to undergo this with an outside massage therapist who might not understand the approach needed for a post-surgical patient, an in-office nurse (who is present during the actual surgery) knows exactly what to do.  More than anything, the lymphatic drainage helps tremendously with swelling and with the improvement of the overall recovery process.

In general about 50% of the facial swelling will subside in 6-8 weeks; however, this is determined by the type of facelift and the degree of swelling you experienced immediately after the surgery.  A bit of puffiness in the cheek region will gradually go down. 

Thank you for your question.  Post facelift swelling varies depending on each patient.  It ultimately can take six to twelve months for everything to completely heal.  Should you have any concern, it would be recommended that you follow up with your surgeon for any recommendations.  Best wishes

Everyone heals differently, most of the swelling will be gone after a few weeks, however for all of the swelling to be gone it can take up to 6 months, even a year. Avoid salt an sleep with your head elevated. Good luck.

Typically by 3 months after surgery the swelling should b just about completely gone.  Sometimes there can be lingering numbness from the nerve endings that were separated during the surgery which may make it feel full.  If there is actual visible or palpable swelling there can be scarring under the skin or lymphedema.  Check with your surgeon.  They may inject some steroid in the area if there is some scar tissue formation. 

Swelling can last many months after a facelift. In some cases, very mild swelling could last even up to a year, but this is uncommon.
In reality, after just a few weeks, most patients have very little swelling remaining, but still feel very swollen due to numbness in some areas. I offer these patients reassurance that they look normal to the outside world.
All the best,

A mini-facelift would require around 1 week to 10 days – especially the Y Facelift which has minimal incisions so has a limited recovery time. A more extensive facelift would require two weeks for swelling and bruising to subside and approximately six weeks for full recovery.