A facelift offers you the chance to turn back time on your appearance. This procedure ranks among the most popular cosmetic surgeries year after year. You’re probably considering one yourself, but there’s one big question holding you back. How long will it take to heal completely? Recovery time is often the biggest concern patients bring up during their first visit. This blog breaks down how long it takes and what you can expect during your healing process.
Table of Contents
- How Fast Can You Recover from Facelift Surgery?
- The Four Stages of Facelift Recovery
- Tips for a Speedy Facelift Recovery
- Thinking About a Facelift in Washington, D.C.?
How Fast Can You Recover from Facelift Surgery?
Most people need about two to four weeks to return to their daily activities. You’ll also need to skip strenuous activities for the first four to six weeks, depending on your surgeon’s instructions.
It mostly comes down to what type of facelift you’re getting. A full facelift typically takes longer to heal than a mini version. Your surgeon’s experience also matters, along with your age and overall health before surgery.
The Four Stages of Facelift Recovery
You’ve waited this long for a facelift surgery; now comes the reality check. Your body needs time to heal, and this process typically occurs in four distinct phases.
Days 1–6: The Initial Healing Phase
When you wake up from surgery, your head will be wrapped with bandages, and you might have small tubes sticking out to drain extra fluid. Everything feels foggy on the first day. You’ll experience the most discomfort right after surgery, but pain medications can make it bearable. Have someone stay with you at home for at least the first 24 hours because you’ll need assistance around the house as you heal.
Day three or four brings the peak of swelling and bruising. Your face looks pretty rough during this time. Sleeping with extra pillows (stacked to elevate your face) helps reduce the puffiness. Most people can switch to regular pain relievers by the fourth day.
Days 7–14: Getting Back on Your Feet
Week two brings noticeable improvement. The swelling starts to go down, and the bruising begins to fade. Your face will likely still feel strange. Tingling, numbness, and tightness are all part of the healing process. By the end of this phase, you’ll likely feel good enough to head back to work (if you have a desk job or a similar type of work).
Days 15–30: Real Improvement Shows
Your surgeon takes out the stitches sometime during weeks three and four. Those bumpy incision lines start flattening out once the stitches come out. This is when you start seeing what your new face looks like.
Day 30 and Beyond: Your New Look
Around the one-month mark, you’ll feel mostly like yourself again. You can get back to your regular routine, but your surgeon needs to say it’s okay first. Everyone heals differently, so stick with your surgeon’s timeline.
Tips for a Speedy Facelift Recovery
Your recovery time and final outcome depend on lots of different things. The biggest one is how you treat your body while it heals from surgery. These habits can make a real difference in getting back to normal faster:
Here are some ways to speed up your recovery:
- Sleep with your head in an elevated position
- Put ice on your face during week one to keep swelling down
- Eat soft foods and drink a lot of water throughout the day
- Prioritize rest, especially during the initial recovery phase
- Wear sunscreen every time you step outside to protect your healing skin
- Set reminders to take your medications and attend all follow-up appointments
Thinking About a Facelift in Washington, D.C.?
Facelifts have helped countless people throughout Washington, D.C., turn back the clock on their appearance. Getting it right the first time means working with the right surgeon from the start.
Our surgeons at Center for Plastic Surgery serve patients from Washington, DC, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Arlington, Fairfax, and surrounding areas. We have two convenient locations to better serve you. Call our Chevy Chase office at (301) 652-7700, reach our Tysons Corner location at (703) 560-2850, or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation.