What is the average recovery time for a facelift? And are any special creams advised for scarring or just for general healing?

There are two aspects to consider in your recovery from a facelift.  1) Physical recovery: During this period you will encounter  some degree of swelling and bruising which requires head elevation and activity restriction.  I ask my patients to avoid all cardio exercise for 2 weeks with the exception of walking, and no weight lifting for 4 weeks.  A dressing is generally in place for 24-48 hours after the procedure, usually accompanied by some form of active or passive drain.  All drains/ dressings are discontinued at 48 hours in 99% of patients and all compression (including straps) are discontinued.  Sutures are typically removed on postoperative day 7.  2) Psychological recovery:  This represents the period of adjustment to your procedure or is defined by when you feel comfortable going out socially.  An appointment will be made for you at our Spa where one of our aestheticians will guide you in postoperative makeup; this usually occurs between 10-14 days after the procedure.  For the majority of patients, this allows social interaction without being overly self conscious. My website has some examples of early postoperative facelift patients. 

Thanks for the question. It takes 3-4 weeks for your body to recover and return to daily life without any problems. I wish you all the best.

Dear MBGThank you for your question.There are many different techniques for Facelifts this days. You can have it performed under local or general anaesthetic or sedation. Some practitioners use absorbable stitches, some uses removable sutures and require you to were garments or bandages for weeks.For the Concept Facelift which I have developed, the downtime is minimal. The procedure is very much like a Traditional Facelift as it focuses on the SMAS muscle as well as the skin. It also has the same longevity as a Traditional facelift.There are however many differences. , It is usually performed under local anaesthetic, the theatre time is only one and a half hours or two and a half hours if you combine a neck lift for optimal results.Also I use absorbable sutures at the incision site so you do not have to have these removed.Usually downtime is just over 1 week with bruising and swelling completely subsiding by week two.You would need to come in for a follow up at 1 week, however you will be able go about your normal daily routine the day after surgery. We normally advise not to go to the gym for two weeks post surgery.In terms of creams we typically recommend cosmeceutical creams which are targeted to specific skin types and can help maintain the longevity of the skin

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a wonderfully rejuvenating and long-lasting procedure, but it is major surgery and therefore you must give your body adequate time to heal. I recommend my patients do little to nothing the first few days and then drastically curtail activities for two weeks. While the stitches are generally removed after 1 week, you will still be quite swollen. I always recommend getting help with housework and  taking time off from the job during this intensive 2-week recovery period. It will take about 4 to 6 months for your face to completely heal and for your final results to be visible.
As for creams to aid in scar healing and fading, each facial plastic surgeon will have his or her own preferences and recommendations. Also, in my practice I am meticulous about where and how I make my incisions, so the scars generally heal well enough that they are barely visible. If you’re bothered by them, they can be improved with chemical peels and microneedling after the facelift has fully healed. I hope this helps.

Thick scaring is rarely an issue in facelifts. Visibility of the scars and unnatural hairline displacement are often the result of poorly conceived incisions. In my practice we offer a very popular scar optimization program consisting of silicone taping and early sessions of incisions with CORE CO2 in fusion mode which has been very effective in fading facelift scars.
Christian Drehsen, M.D.

Dear MBG,Thank you for your question. The average recovery time for a facelift is approximately 2 weeks, of course this varies from person to person. Even after the 2 weeks, there will be several weeks of swelling. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns!Sincerely,Dr. P Daniel Ward

Thank you for your question.  Typically, the immediate time for recovery after a facelift is around 2 weeks.  I typically will tell my patients that they should look good enough to go out to a restaurant anywhere from 7-10 days.  I recommend taking both arnica montana and vitamin C both before and after surgery to help with healing.  There are also medical grade creams that can help with the healing of your incisions.  Be sure to ask your surgeon which ones he/she prefer.The most important point is to be sure to take it easy after your facelift as this will help with the healing process.  Also, be sure to follow the postoperative instructions from your surgeon just as he/she suggests.I hope that this helps approximation point–David Gilpin

It can vary among individuals, but generally, in 2 weeks you will be healed and looking great.  Antibiotic ointment along the incisions the day after and then silicone-based scar ointments after the 2nd week will help your scars heal imperceptibly.  

Hi! Thanks for your question. 1-2 weeks is a good guideline for facelift recovery, but this obviously varies by patient and surgeon. After about a week bruising / swelling can be hidden fairly well with makeup.  Once your incisions are healed, Silagen works nicely and has a combination of silicone and SPF.

MBG. Facelift Recovery lasts approximately 1-2 weeks, depending upon technique used.  After that time there will still be residual swelling, but residual bruising is easily covered by makeup.  Moisturizers and over the counter scar creams work best for scar healing. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Recovering from a facelift is more emotional than physical.  The bruising and swelling can persist depending on which technique is used.  In my practice, most of my patients have their sutures removed in 5 to 7 days and can get back to work with makeup in a week.