How long does a facelift last?
This is one of the most common questions I receive. And the answer is a bit more nuanced that you may expect. A few points:
A facelift, or any facial rejuvenation procedure, sets the clock back but it does not stop time. After a facelift, you will continue to age.
Every patient ages differently. And this is often related to your overall health, genetics, hormonal status, sun exposure, stress level, etc. It’s impossible for a surgeon to predict how you personally will age.
Patients undergo facelifts at different ages and different stages of their life. One on end of the spectrum, a patient may have a facelift in their 40s, wanting to ‘stay ahead’ of the aging process and pursing surgery at the first small sign of jowl formation and neck sagging. On the other end of the spectrum, a patient may wait until their late 60s. The amount of collagen and elasticity in the younger patient is higher, thus their results are likely to hold up better over the following 15-20 years.
If you are considering a facelift, it is important to understand that your facelift will never be “undone” or “fall.” You simply continue to age. And aging changes tend to accelerate the older we get.
