Posted September 09, 2025 in Facelifts
5 minute read
Maybe you’ve been looking in the mirror and noticing that your anti-aging skin care regimen isn’t holding up its end of the bargain as well as it used to. The skin around your jawline may not be as firm as you’d like, or lines and wrinkles continue to etch themselves deeper into your face every day. Fortunately, a facelift can effectively refresh your appearance, resetting the clock by turning back visible signs of aging by about 10 years or more. However, many people hesitate when considering facelift surgery because they want to know how long their results will last. In this blog, we’ll go over the factors that determine the longevity of your facelift results and how you can help keep your results looking gorgeous for as long as possible.
Table of Contents
- Factors That Affect the Longevity of Your Facelift Results
- How to Extend the Longevity of Your Facelift Results
Factors That Affect the Longevity of Your Facelift Results
On average, facelift results last about 10 to 15 years, but this can vary widely depending on several factors, including:
Type of Facelift
Advanced approaches, such as deep plane facelifts, reposition underlying muscle and tissue rather than just tightening the skin, often resulting in longer-lasting outcomes. However, not everyone is suited for every type of facelift, so a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial rejuvenation can help you determine the correct facelift type for your current needs.
Your Age at the Time of Surgery
Patients who undergo facelifts in their 40s or 50s may enjoy longer results than those who wait until later decades. This is because your skin typically has more elasticity when you’re younger, which can help it maintain its smoother, more youthful improvements longer.
Skin Quality
Genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle factors all impact the quality and resilience of your skin, which can then affect the longevity of your facelift results. Healthier, well-cared-for skin holds onto the results of your facelift better, so be sure to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized to extend the youthful effects of your facelift.
Weight Fluctuations
Significant weight gain or loss after facelift surgery can stretch your skin and cause changes in the volume of your face, eventually diminishing your facelift results.
Lifestyle Choices
Smoking, poor diet, and excessive sun exposure all accelerate the aging process, drying out your skin, affecting its elasticity, and shortening the life of your facelift. Avoid using nicotine products, reduce your alcohol and sugar intake, and always use broad-spectrum sunscreen to help keep your face (and overall health) in excellent condition.
How to Extend the Longevity of Your Facelift Results
The good news is that while some of the factors that can impact the longevity of your facelift are out of your control, you can still keep your facelift results looking beautiful by following a few best practices, including:
Commit to Sun Protection
Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, even when you’re inside, cannot be overstated when it comes to preserving your facelift results. Daily sunscreen application, along with wearing hats and sunglasses, protects against harmful UV rays that damage and prematurely age your skin.
Maintain a Stable Weight
Avoid dramatic weight fluctuations to prevent your skin from stretching and sagging, causing wrinkles and shifts in facial fat.
Adhere to a Healthy Lifestyle
It may sound like a cliché, but it’s true: Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking all contribute to the health and, in turn, the appearance of your skin.
Use High-Quality Skin Care
Products containing retinoids, peptides, and antioxidants can help maintain your skin’s firmness and improve its tone and texture. Dr. Davison and Dr. Pinell recommend SkinMedica™ products to their patients to help extend the life of their facelift.
Consider Non-surgical Maintenance Treatments
Options like BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal fillers, microneedling, or laser resurfacing can complement your facelift results and slow down new signs of aging.
One of the most important ways to help ensure that your facelift results last as long as possible is by following your surgeon’s instructions during recovery. Being patient and not overdoing it as you recover helps to ensure your results are as gorgeous and lasting as you’d hoped.
Explore Facelift Options in Washington, D.C.
Facelift surgery is an excellent way to achieve long-lasting rejuvenation, as long as you understand that the natural aging process will continue. However, by choosing a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Steven Davison and Dr. Ximena Pinell to perform your procedure, caring for your skin, and living a healthy lifestyle, you can extend the life of your facelift and enjoy your youthful, natural-looking results for years to come. To learn more about facelift surgery in Georgetown, schedule a consultation today by calling 202.966.9590 or completing the online contact form.
