What to Expect After Facelift Surgery and How to Ensure a Smooth Recovery

A facelift is one of the most impactful cosmetic procedures available. Like turning back the hands of time, this surgery can restore your youthful glow, return your confidence, and ensure your outward appearance matches the vibrancy you feel within.

That said, it’s not unusual to feel some anxiety about undergoing facelift surgery — particularly if you’re not sure what the recovery process entails, how long it will take to heal, or whether your results will look too “overdone.”

Fortunately, for board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Berry Fairchild, most patients are pleasantly surprised by their facelift results: “My facelift patients are always amazed by how quickly they recuperate and how much the results look like them…just younger, contoured, and more refreshed.”

With a bit of extra preparation, the post-op experience can be easier than you expect. To help ease the pre-surgery jitters and support easier healing, Dr. Fairchild likes to provide all of her patients with a week-by-week facelift recovery guide.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can anticipate at each stage of your journey, plus a few tips to ensure the best possible healing experience and results.

The Importance of Recovery After Facelift Surgery

As with any surgery, it’s important you follow all the facelift post-op care instructions your surgical team provides. The steps you take in the days and weeks after your procedure can significantly impact your comfort, speed of healing, how quickly you can return to normal activities, and how soon you’ll see your final results.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to get a clear understanding of the facelift healing process before surgery day, so you can set realistic expectations and create an ideal healing environment.

Facelift Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week

Because every patient has a different anatomy and unique aesthetic goals, facelifts are highly customized — and the recovery process can vary from person to person. However, here is a general breakdown of what you can expect:

Week 1: Initial Healing and Rest

The first week after your facial surgery should be dedicated to rest, hydration, pain management, and incision care.

• Day 1: You’ll likely wake up from surgery feeling groggy. Most patients go right to bed when they get home and sleep for much of the day. In addition to focusing on rest, follow your pain medication schedule to keep the discomfort at bay, and elevate your head with additional pillows to help reduce inflammation.
• Days 2 – 3: Dr. Fairchild likes to see her patients for a next-day follow-up so she can examine your incisions, change your surgical dressings, and make sure you’re healing properly. Your face swelling and bruising may increase, but this is completely normal. While you may feel your energy returning, we recommend keeping activity to a minimum. (This is the perfect time for some quality Netflix binging.)
• Days 4 – 7: By this point, your pain and swelling will subside significantly. If you’re feeling up for it, you can begin engaging in light housework or take a short walk. These mild activities can get your circulation moving and aid in your recovery.

Week 2: Noticeable Improvements

By the second week, you’ll begin to feel more like yourself and can return to some daily activities.

• Days 8 – 10: In this stage, you should feel slightly more energized. Your bruises will start to lighten and fade, and any tightness in your facial muscles will begin to ease. While you should continue avoiding strenuous exercise, you may engage in gentle activities, such as errands, housework, and short walks. If you can work remotely, you may feel comfortable easing back into your work routine.
• Days 10 – 14: Toward the end of the second week, most of your swelling will be gone, and you likely will no longer need over-the-counter pain medication — although it’s normal if you still experience some numbness and tingling. Depending on your healing progress, you may also have your sutures removed and feel more comfortable returning to social activities.

Week 3-4: Returning to Normal Activities

During this phase of your healing, you’ll see a major improvement in your facial contours, and most signs of surgery will disappear.

• Week 3: By the third week, many patients feel comfortable going about their usual daily routine and can typically conceal residual discoloration with makeup. You’ll also notice an improvement in lingering tightness or numbness.
• Week 4: Most swelling and discoloration should be gone by this point. However, your face is still healing below the surface, and you’ll continue to notice subtle refinements with time. Your incision lines will also continue to fade and become much less noticeable.

Week 5-6: Long Term Recovery

As you enter the fifth week, you’ll likely feel confident, energized, and excited about your rejuvenated appearance.

• Week 5: Your face will look fresh, defined, and natural, and any lingering scars will be faded and easily camouflaged with hair and makeup as they continue to heal. At this point, patients are often delighted with their progress and thrilled with their results.
• Week 6 (and beyond): You can expect to return to more intensive exercise and other everyday activities (with Dr. Fairchild’s approval). While you may look fully healed, your collagen modeling and tissue will continue settling for several months. Dr. Fairchild will provide skincare and sun protection guidance to help you maintain your youthful appearance for many years.

What to Expect After a Facelift: Normal Side Effects

Dr. Fairchild uses minimally invasive techniques to help reduce discomfort and promote easier healing. However, you may experience some facelift side effects as you heal:

• Swelling
  Inflammation generally peaks in the first week and then decreases with time.
• Bruising
  You’ll likely notice bruises around the neck, cheeks, jawline, undereyes, and other areas, which may turn deep purple in the first few days, fade to yellow in the second week, and disappear altogether.
• Numbness and tightness
  Nerve disruption may lead to temporary numbness, especially around the ears and jawline. Swollen tissue may also cause feelings of tightness. These side effects will ease with time, though it can take several weeks.
• Pain and tenderness
  Mild discomfort is expected in the first few days after surgery, and Dr. Fairchild will provide pain management support to help you through the initial healing phase.
• Tingling or itching
  Itching is often a sign of tissue healing and regeneration, and tingling is usually common as your nerves recover. Avoid scratching yourself and follow your care team’s advice on soothing itchy skin.
• Scarring or raised incision lines
  Scar tissue may become slightly raised or pink in the early stages of healing, but will fade as the weeks progress. Dr. Fairchild strategically places incisions within natural contours to help keep them hidden as you recover.

Top Tips for a Smooth Recovery Process

Here are a few facelift recovery tips to ensure a comfortable and successful recuperation:

• Prioritize rest and gentle movement
  One of the best ways to support your body’s natural healing process is to get plenty of sleep. However, it’s also important you get in gentle movement (like a walk around the house) to reduce the risk of blood clots.
• Keep your head elevated
  Be sure to prop up your head while sleeping to reduce swelling and support faster healing. Also, avoid bending over, straining, lifting anything heavy, or putting pressure on your incisions.
• Stay nourished and hydrated
  Drink plenty of water, eat nutritious meals with lots of fruits, veggies, and protein, and avoid salty snacks (which can worsen swelling).
• Follow facelift incision care recommendations
  To support facelift wound healing and minimize scarring, keep your incision sites clean as instructed, resist the urge to remove scabs, and protect your healing skin from sun exposure.
• Be patient and trust the process
  Try not to fixate on your appearance during the early stages of healing because it will change dramatically as your body recovers.

Dr. Fairchild explains, “Swelling may ebb and flow, and healing is not always linear, but remember: your beautiful and refreshed appearance is just around the corner.”

What to Avoid During Recovery

Successful recovery isn’t just about what you do — what you don’t do is just as important. Here are a few things to avoid as you heal:

• Strenuous exercise
  Avoid heavy lifting anything over 10 pounds or engaging in any intense workouts until you’re cleared by Dr. Fairchild.
• Pullover tops
  Opt for clothes that can be buttoned or zipped. (Shirts and dresses that have to be pulled over the head may tug on your incisions.)
• Smoking, vaping, and alcohol consumption
  Nicotine can restrict blood flow and slow healing, while alcohol can thin blood and worsen bruising. Additionally, both substances may interfere with prescribed medications.
• Direct sun exposure
  UV rays can darken scars and increase inflammation, so be sure to wear recommended sun protection anytime you are outside.
• Facial massages and some skincare products
  Do not schedule facials, laser treatments, or massages until Dr. Fairchild gives you the all-clear. Keep in mind that even lightly massaging or exfoliating your own face can disrupt tissue healing.

Patience, Care, and Guidance Lead to the Best Results

Undergoing a facelift can feel like turning back the clock, but you won’t see results overnight. While most of the bruising and tell-tale signs will fade within the first couple of weeks, it can take time for your face to heal fully. The good news is that by following your post-facelift care plan — and choosing a board-certified surgeon like Dr. Fairchild — you can soon wake up to a fresher and more vibrant reflection.