How Long Will my Facelift Last?

When men and women inquire about facelift surgery other other plastic surgery procedures, they often want to know if the results will make them look younger. In addition, they want to know if these results will truly last. Unfortunately, there have been no long-term studies performed regarding the true effects of facelift procedures, largely because there are so many variables to control. Because each person ages differently, depending on genetic makeup and environmental factors, the degree of success will vary as well. Likewise, it is difficult to truly measure the results, since photographic evidence would mean having to take the pictures in the same way using a standardized photographic system in the same lighting.

One plastic surgeon in England, Dr. Barry M. Jones, decided to comb through more than 1,700 of his patient archives to determine if facelift procedure results lasted. Of the 1,700 patients who received a facelift, only 50 came back within 5 years for a different plastic surgery procedure. This gave him time to photograph their faces and compare the results.

He used an innovative computer program that allowed him to mark key points on the face and neck and measure the position of those points after the facelift. What he found was that long-term positive changes of facelift procedures were still evident 5 years after having the plastic surgery performed. While the neck was still improved, it did tend to drift closer to its pre-operative position quicker than the other points. The width of the mouth and the nose did not change – and positive features were kept the entire 5-year period.

How to Maintain the Results of Your Facelift?

The longevity of a facelift procedure is influenced by several factors, including the overall health of your skin, your age, sun damage, genetics, your overall physical health, and the skill of your plastic surgeon. You can maintain the results of your facelift by:

• Eating Right: One of the best ways to maintain the results of your facelift is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet is the first step towards great skin.
• Staying Hydrated: Don't spend your day drinking sugary drinks. Instead, stay hydrated and keep your skin glowing by drinking plenty of water each and every day.
• Stopping Smoking: Smoking is not good for your skin and can increase the lines around your mouth, neck, and forehead. In addition to being bad for your overall health, smoking constricts blood flow to your skin, causing premature aging.
• Adopting a Skin Care Routine: Be sure to slather on the sunscreen and avoid premature aging. Gentle exfoliation on a regular basis is key to ridding the skin of dry skin cells and keeping a more youthful appearance.
• Visiting Your Dermatologist: See your dermatologist regularly and stay on top of any dark spots, moles, or suspicious areas.
• Checking Back with Your Plastic Surgeon: Your plastic surgeon may be able to perform non-surgical procedures to help stimulate collagen beneath the surface of the skin. Facial fillers can also be used, as can Botox to add volume from time to time.

Remember, no plastic surgery procedure lasts forever – simply, because we are aging each and every day.

Contact Pasadena Face-Lift & Plastic Surgery Specialists

If you are considering a face-lift or other plastic surgery procedure in the Pasadena, CA region, it is important to choose a plastic surgeon carefully. Men and women continue to choose Dr. Kevin Ruhge to perform their face-lift surgery. His personalized approach to plastic surgery means that his clients can contact him 24/7 after a surgical procedure. If you would like to learn more about face-lifts or any plastic surgery procedure, we invite you to meet with Dr. Ruhge for a private consultation at our office in Pasadena by calling 626.397.9095, or by scheduling an appointment online.