Did you know that facelift surgeries are one of Australia’s most highly sought after cosmetic procedures today? And it’s really no surprise why, as facelifts have been known to help reduce visible signs of ageing like sagging or wrinkling. In this regard, facelifts can rejuvenate a patient’s appearance in a major way.

There is a certain appeal to being able to take years if not decades off your face and jawline, which is just one of the many reasons why facelifts have gained in popularity in recent years – especially in Australia where excess sun and UV exposure can wreak havoc on our skin!

But contrary to popular belief, the results of a facelift aren’t exactly ‘permanent’. Yes, as a surgical cosmetic procedure, facelifts do provide results that are irreversible and in that regard, they are technically permanent – but facelifts don’t prevent ageing. As your skin continues to age following your facelift procedure, it’s common that a little sagging and wrinkling will return.

So the question here is, how long does a facelift last? And how long can you maintain the results of your facelift? Thankfully, our Cosmetic Consultants here at Pirk will be answering just that question for you today.

• The average lifespan of a facelift
• Top factors that affect the longevity of your facelift
• How to maintain the results of your facelift in the long term
• How to find your facelift surgeon

Read on to learn all you need to know about how long does a facelift last and maintaining the results of your facelift in the long term.

The average lifespan of a facelift

When performed correctly and in accordance with a patient’s goals and any healthcare requirements, an SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) facelift procedure can provide results that last up to 12-15 years. As SMAS facelifts are one of the most common types of facelift techniques, cosmetic surgeons agree that the results of most facelifts will begin to fade following the 12-15 year mark.

Remember that a facelift can only reduce the pronounced appearance of wrinkles, frown lines, and sagging facial skin. It’s natural for your facial skin to lose elasticity as you continue to age even after your facelift procedure, resulting in the development of wrinkles, frown lines, laugh lines, etc. So be sure to maintain realistic expectations when preparing for a facelift, and get ready to maintain a strong skincare regimen to help you enjoy longer lasting results.

Top factors that affect the longevity of your facelift

It’s only reasonable to take whatever preparational steps you may be able to take in order to improve the longevity of your facelift. So why would the results of a facelift begin to fade before that 12-15 year lifespan?

Well, the answer here is typically due to patient health and lifestyle factors. When identifying ideal candidates for facelift procedures, cosmetic surgeons will generally look to a patient’s existing health considerations to see if there are any conditions or concerns that could easily affect the longevity of that patient’s facelift. Facelift surgeons will also work with their patients to develop a healthcare plan that aids in improving the longevity of their results post-surgery.

These are just some of the more notable factors that have been known to affect the longevity of results recorded by surgical facelift procedures.

Lifestyle factors

Your diet, skincare, and exercise habits can all impact results on how long does a facelift last and how it can be maintained in the years following your procedure. Excess UV exposure can cause our skin to experience premature ageing, and can lead to the rapid development of wrinkles, leathery skin, and even keratoses and other types of sun damage.

Similarly to UV and solar exposure, your diet and exercise habits may also impact the health of your skin and your body’s natural hormonal production cycles and production of fat and skin tissue. As a result, patients that keep themselves in good health are more likely to maintain the results of their surgical facelift in the years following their procedure.

Types of facelifts and additional cosmetic procedures

There’s evidence to suggest that the type of facelift you select may also impact just how long you can expect to enjoy smooth and wrinkle-free results. For instance, skin-only facelifts may only maintain their results for around 2-5 years, whereas SMAS and deep plane facelifts yield results that last for double if not triple that period of time. Most facelift surgeons will also agree that facelift procedures with fewer incisions and techniques that target the tissue below facial skin rather than the skin itself, are also more likely to yield improved results.

For patients who’ve undergone a facelift, protecting your skin post-procedure can help reduce the risks of your skin experiencing premature ageing, assisting in keeping the results of your facelift procedure intact.

On that same note, it’s important to keep in mind that surgical facelift procedures are often performed in tandem with other types of cosmetic procedures like brow lifts and neck lifts. As the natural process of ageing does involve a loss of volume all over the face, combining a facelift with other cosmetic procedures may actually improve the results of a patient’s facelift procedure. As a result, your facelift surgeon may recommend additional cosmetic procedures alongside your facelift and in accordance with your own desired goals.

How to maintain the results of your facelift in the long term

As we’ve mentioned, you can increase your chances of being able to enjoy the results of your facelift for longer periods following your procedure by simply:

• Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet
• Maintaining a robust physical exercise regime
• Maintaining a tailored and effective skincare regime
• Be in communication with your facelift surgeon for planning these maintenance measures

Taking care of your physical health and wellbeing, drinking plenty of water, and wearing SPF50+ sunscreen everyday can naturally help you maintain the results of your facelift for longer periods of time, and all without having to undergo surgery again.

On that same note, patients are also advised to consider the non-surgical facelift treatments that are available to them. For instance, you may opt to consider undergoing some of these non-surgical facelift treatments to support the results of a surgical facelift in the years post-surgery:

• Chemical peels
• Dermabrasion
• Botox injectables
• Dermal fillers
• Thread lifts

Following any additional advice or recommendations on facelift aftercare as provided by your cosmetic surgeon can also help you maintain the results of your procedure for a longer period of time.

How to find your facelift surgeon

With all this new information about how long does a facelift last at your fingertips, you should now have a stronger idea of whether or not a surgical facelift procedure is right for you. The next step is to find a suitable surgeon to perform your procedure.

Thankfully, with Pirk’s extensive network of cosmetic surgeons and specialists, you can select from Australia’s top facelift surgeons right here. All you need to do is connect up with our Pirk Cosmetic Consultants, complete our detailed Discovery Call, and then let our expert team aid in connecting you up with the most suitable facelift surgeons in your area. And once you’ve found the right surgeon or clinic to perform your procedure, then let Pirk handle all the administrative processes of booking your preliminary consultation.

With Pirk’s expansive industry network and highly informative Cosmetic Hub, organising and preparing for your facelift procedure is now easier than ever before. Get the ball rolling on your surgical or non-surgical face surgery today by filling out our enquiry form.

Have any more questions about how long does a facelift last? Then check out our FAQs or speak directly with one of our Pirk consultants by calling 1300 114 426. We’re always here to help!

The information presented in this blog and on the Pirk website is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we collaborate with qualified surgeons, we are not medical specialists, and the content provided is of a general nature. It is strongly recommended to seek personalised professional advice tailored to your specific situation.

If assistance in finding a qualified surgeon is needed, Pirk can offer support. This content does not constitute personal advice, diagnoses, or treatment plans. By reading our blogs, you acknowledge and accept these terms. For further assistance or clarification, please contact us at hello@pirk.au.