How long does recovery after a facelift take? When can you go back to work, exercise or be out in public again? And which symptoms are part of a normal recovery?
During a facelift, the surgeon repositions the tissues of the face, and often those of the neck as well, to restore its natural contours. After surgery, the skin and the underlying structures need time to heal and adapt to their new position.
The first visible signs of surgery usually fade within a few weeks. Full recovery takes longer. Reduced skin sensation and some tightness in the tissues usually only resolve completely after one to one and a half years.
Knowing what to expect helps you face the first weeks with more confidence. For an overview of the entire journey, from the first consultation to the final result, see our article on the procedure and the recovery timeline.
Every recovery is different. After a Deep Plane Facelift, it usually unfolds in four phases.
During the first days, swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness in the face and neck are normal. Swelling usually peaks around the fourth to fifth day.
The face may temporarily look fuller or somewhat asymmetrical. This says nothing yet about the final result.
Rest is important, but complete bed rest is usually not necessary. We generally encourage gentle walks from the day after surgery.
In the second week, bruising and swelling usually decrease noticeably. The contours of the face and neck gradually become more defined.
Temporarily reduced sensation around the ears, cheeks and neck is common. Some tightness or firmness of the tissues is also normal.
The first wound checks take place during this period. Our team removes the sutures as soon as wound healing allows.
After two to three weeks, many patients feel comfortable enough to resume social activities and work that is not physically demanding.
Recovery is not quite complete at that point. Mild swelling may still be present, especially along the jawline, beneath the chin and in the neck.
You can gradually build up physical activity. Strenuous exercise is usually only advisable again after about six weeks.
The final result of a facelift does not appear overnight. In the months after the procedure, the tissues soften, the remaining swelling subsides and the scars become finer.
At around three months, the face looks fresh and natural, even though you may still feel some tightness yourself. After six months, the result is largely final. The scars and the deeper tissue layers continue to refine after that.
Especially after an extensive Deep Plane Facelift with an additional deep neck reduction, swelling beneath the chin and in the neck may persist longer. In a deep neck reduction, Dr. Van Genechten removes excess deep fat through a small incision under the chin and corrects the neck muscles.
That is why you should not judge a facelift result in the first weeks. This further refinement is part of the natural healing process.
For the first three weeks, it is best to sleep on your back, with your head comfortably supported by two pillows. This helps limit swelling. Sleeping fully upright is not necessary. Above all, avoid prolonged pressure on the treated areas.
Do you find it hard to sleep on your back? Then choose the position that is most comfortable for you. Your sleeping position has no major effect on the final result.
Showering and gently washing your hair are usually allowed from the day after surgery. Clean the scars gently with a mild baby shampoo and do not keep the incisions under water for too long.
Do not rub the incisions, and avoid water that is too hot. Ideally, wait three weeks before using a hair dryer or hair dye.
Gentle movement supports recovery. Walking is usually possible from the day after surgery, and you can gradually expand light daily activities.
Many patients return to work and social life after two to three weeks, depending on their profession and their individual recovery. More strenuous exercise is usually possible from the sixth week.
Driving is often possible again after a few days. You need to be alert, able to move your head comfortably and not taking any medication that affects your ability to drive.
When planning a flight, take wound healing, suture removal and your general health into account. If you are planning a long-haul flight, discuss it with Dr. Van Genechten beforehand.
Ideally, avoid alcohol for the first four weeks after a facelift. Alcohol dilates the blood vessels, can increase swelling and affects how some medications work.
Smoking and nicotine are major risk factors for wound healing problems. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the skin. Among other things, this increases the risk of delayed wound healing and of skin necrosis (the death of an area of skin).
Stay completely nicotine-free for at least six weeks before and six weeks after surgery. This applies to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, nicotine patches and all other products that contain nicotine.
You can usually use makeup again from the third week, also to conceal bruising or the scars. Never apply makeup to open wounds or to areas that have not fully healed.
If your facelift was combined with a laser treatment, different instructions may apply.
A good recovery starts before surgery. Sufficient rest, a balanced and protein-rich diet, drinking enough fluids and following your aftercare instructions all support healthy wound healing.
Limit your salt intake in the first weeks and carefully protect your face from the sun. Avoid direct sunlight for the first six weeks. After that, good protection of the skin and scars remains important.
Patience is at least as important. During recovery, doing more does not necessarily mean healing faster.
Yes. Swelling, bruising, altered skin sensation and temporary asymmetry are common after a facelift.
Recovery does not always progress evenly either. Swelling may go down faster on one side than on the other, and some areas stay firm or numb for longer. Small lumps or irregularities may also be felt during healing.
What matters is how things evolve over time. Most symptoms gradually subside.
Skin necrosis is a possible complication in which part of the skin receives insufficient blood supply and can become damaged. Smoking and nicotine, certain medical conditions, previous surgery and individual blood circulation can all influence the risk.
In a Deep Plane Facelift, much of the repositioning takes place at the level of the deeper structures. As a result, less tension is placed on the skin itself. This is an important surgical principle, but it does not rule out complications entirely.
Careful technique, attention to blood supply and meticulous follow-up after the procedure therefore remain essential.
Not every recovery follows a fixed schedule, and that does not automatically mean something is wrong. However, contact us immediately in case of:
Sudden problems affecting the face or eyes, new muscle weakness or other unexpected neurological symptoms also require urgent assessment. For serious complaints, such as breathing difficulties or sudden loss of vision, call the emergency number 112 immediately.
If in doubt, always contact us rather than wait and see.
Dr. Van Genechten often combines a facelift with other procedures so that he can treat the face and neck as a whole. Examples include a necklift, a deep neck reduction, a brow reset, eyelid surgery on the upper or lower eyelids and limited lipofilling.
The more extensive the procedure, the greater its impact on recovery. Additional eyelid surgery can temporarily cause extra swelling around the eyes. After an additional laser treatment, the skin surface also requires adapted care.
Your aftercare is therefore always tailored to the procedures you underwent and to your personal recovery.
Careful aftercare is an essential part of facial rejuvenation. After your procedure at Catershoek Surgical Center, Dr. Van Genechten's team follows you closely, in the first days and in the weeks and months that follow.
You can often return home the day after the procedure. This is followed by scheduled wound checks and follow-up consultations. You receive personal aftercare instructions, tailored to your procedure and your recovery.
If you prefer not to go home straight away, you can choose to stay at Catershoek Aftercare after discharge. This is an optional, non-medical overnight facility that operates independently from the practice of Dr. Van Genechten.
Catershoek Aftercare also offers recovery treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and LED light therapy. The scientific evidence for their benefit after a facelift is not yet convincing for every application.
Our approach is simple: operate with care, and guide you personally through recovery as well, with clear information and a direct point of contact whenever you need one.
A facelift result develops gradually. The first weeks are mainly about wound healing and the reduction of swelling. In the months that follow, the tissues continue to adapt, and the contours and scars become more refined.
A good recovery cannot be rushed. It requires a careful surgical approach, a well-planned recovery pathway and sufficient time.
This information describes the usual recovery after a facelift. Your personal recovery may differ. Dr. Van Genechten's instructions always take precedence.
Do you have any further questions? Feel free to ask. Contact us
