How Long Does Tightness Last After Facelift?

One of the goals of a facelift is to lift and tighten the skin of the face and neck.  In order for the results to be long lasting, tissues deeper than the skin have to be lifted and tightened.  This will causes a tight feeling in the face and neck which is a sign that the proper tissues were lifted.  This is an uncomfortable feeling after surgery, but I assure that over 6-12 weeks the feeling will greatly improve or resolve.  

Exercises that improve the range of motion of your neck can improve this feeling.  I typically do not recommend these movement unless the patient is cannot tolerate the tight feeling.  The neck exercises actually stretch out tightened tissues.  I like to keep the tissue as tight as possible for as long as possible. 

 

I hope this helps!  

Congratulations on your resent Facelift. Typically the tightness depends on the person and on the techniques used by the board certified surgeon.  While tightness is normal post procedure the skin will naturally relax and you should feel the tightness subside around 2-3 months post op. 

It is very common for patients to feel tightness in the cheeks and neck after a facelift. The procedure is designed to tighten the skin and underlying soft tissues, so this is to be expected and is normal. This can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months and varies from one patient to the next. In general, most patients will see significant improvement in the tightness over the first 2-3 months and the soft tissues will feel more and more normal as time progresses.
All the best,

Hi I miss myselfThere are many facelift techniques to address individual concerns but generally if the muscle layer under the skin called the SMAS is tightened then you should expect results to last 5-10 years.The feeling of tightness generally subsides within a few weeks unless there is an underlying problem which you need to see your surgeon about, if it hasn't resolved by then.If you have any worries though, do go to your surgeon and talk to him about it as he will be the best person to address these concerns.All the best

It’s not unusual for patients to complain of tightness and
swelling following facelift procedures. This occurs for a variety of reasons including structural sutures, scar
formation and the swelling that normally accompanies surgical procedures. This response varies from patient to patient
and depends upon the surgical technique utilized and the patients wound healing
characteristics.Skin
tightness and tissue thickening following this procedure are usually related to
swelling. The vast majority of post-operative
swelling resolves in the first two weeks following surgery. At this point, most patients can return to
work and resume normal activities. In
most cases, total resolution of skin tightness takes about three months.It’s
important to realize that more aggressive facelift procedures cause more
swelling and skin tightness, which can last for longer periods of time. Elevation of the head and decreased salt
intake may help decrease swelling after surgery. Range of motion exercise and massage may help
skin tightness following surgery. Swelling and skin tightness are normal following surgery, but persistent
tightness and swelling should be evaluated by your surgeon.

A well-performed facelift willrejuvenates the face and neck and reset the clock back for about 5-15 yearsdepending on the degree of laxity. There after aging process will continue the skinand muscle will loosen over time. But at any given time that individual willlook younger than his or her stated age. Depending on genetics and environmentalfactors some individuals age faster than others.
Of course surgical techniquesare very important in achieving a long lasting results. Faceliftsthat only tighten the loose skin will last a couple of years. The SMAS Liftoffers the most natural improvement to the face because the underlying tissuelayers and muscles of the face are lifted and repositioned, improving the jawline and neck area. Surgeon’s experience and technique are very important.

Your lips, mouth, cheeks, and back of your neck may feel tight for the first few days following a facelift, especially as swelling occurs. The tightness can last for a couple of months, but it will gradually go away. 

   The tightness may last for several months following a facelift and is dependent to some extent upon techniques employed.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

It depends on what component of the facelift you are referring to, and to a large degree your anatomy and genetics. If you are asking how long a face lift will last, the longevity of a facelift depends on what technique a surgeon uses. If the muscle (SMAS) was lifted and tightened as well as the skin, on average a facelift should last 8 to 10 years. If just the skin was lifted and pulled, the skin will loose its elasticity/tightness relatively quickly and may only last a year or two. Consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to see what face lift technique is right for you.

Tightness usually resolves in 6-8 weeks and can last for up to 3 months, but that is all normal. It will feel tight, but will not look tight if done properly with a Lift & Fill facelift.

Tightness after a facelift is completely normal and actually should be expected.  If you have a facelift and don't feel tight after surgery then the procedure will probably not have a long lasting result.  The deeper tissues should be tightened to counteract the effects of gravity and lift the jowls and neck.  That should put some tension on these tissues that you can feel.  Sometimes a sling is put in the neck to lift up the neck tissues and this is tightened as well.  However, there is nothing to worry about because all of the tightness will eventually relax.  Most of it resolves within 2 weeks, but some can persist for 3 months.  If you feel that something is not progressing normally with your procedure be sure to discuss it with your surgeon.