What to Expect for the Facelift Recovery Process
Facelifts consistently rank among the most popular cosmetic procedures, but questions about the recovery process often give prospective patients pause. It’s completely understandable to wonder how much downtime is required, when bruising will subside, and what the healing journey truly looks like. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a typical facelift recovery timeline so you’ll know exactly what to expect at each stage.
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The Initial Facelift Healing Phase
Days 1–2: Immediately After Surgery
After your facelift surgery, you will wake up in the recovery room. Some patients will have a bandage around the head or hemostatic sutures to help minimize swelling and bruising. Dr. Kim utilizes general anesthesia or a deep IV sedation to keep you comfortable during your surgery. Upon waking, it is common to feel drowsy and foggy.
Your face may feel tight and numb in some areas, which is completely normal. A trusted adult must drive you home after surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours to provide assistance and ensure your safety during this time. If you need assistance with post-surgical care, Dr. Kim’s team is able to assist in finding a third-party service to aid in your recovery.
Day 3–4: Peak Swelling Period
Patients often report that the third or fourth day after facelift surgery is when discomfort hits its peak. Not to worry—this feeling is temporary and can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications if necessary. You will see Dr. Kim the day after surgery to remove drains if you have them. At this time, she will check your incisions to ensure they are clean and on their way to proper healing.
Day 5–7: Turning the Corner
Dr. Kim will remove your sutures on day seven, and around this time, your swelling will start to go down. You will begin to see more of your facial features starting to emerge at this time, but swelling is entirely normal at this point as well.
Returning to Daily Life After Facelift Surgery
Week 2: Public Ready Phase
Two weeks post-surgery marks when most people feel comfortable leaving the house for errands and resuming light household activities. Makeup can cover any lingering bruises, and you will feel your energy returning to normal levels. Many people can return to work if it’s a desk or remote job. Your incisions will still be visible at this time. Incisions are typically still slightly red to pink in color, but makeup can be used to camouflage incisions.
Weeks 3–4: Return to Routine
The obvious “I’m recovering from surgery” look fades into general puffiness, and your face moves more naturally when you talk and smile. At this point, any residual swelling tends to reside below the chin, but is usually only noticeable to you and your surgeon—your final facelift results have arrived and will continue to look better with time!
The Final Refinement Stage
Month 2: Resuming Activity
By eight weeks, most restrictions are lifted. You can exercise again, sleep however you want, and stop being mindful of every movement. Scars tend to fade from pink to your natural skin tone. Most patients are cleared for all exercise, including high-intensity workouts.
Month 3: Results Stabilize
At three months, the face in the mirror will match your expectations—your results are fully healed and visible, and while there may be some areas with residual swelling, it is very minimal. The firmness along incision lines softens into natural contours that move freely with every expression. You have now passed the major healing phase and can simply enjoy your refreshed appearance. This milestone marks when most patients say the recovery journey was worth it.
Tips for Optimal Facelift Recovery
Several strategies can make your recovery smoother and potentially faster:
- Keep your head elevated: Keep your head higher than your heart, even while watching TV during the day. Use pillows to prop your head up while sleeping. This helps improve circulation and reduce swelling.
- Engage in gentle movement: Short walks every few hours during the early days of recovery can prevent blood clots and reduce swelling.
- Eat nutritious meals: Your body needs building blocks to repair tissues, so eat meals rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Protect incisions from sunlight: UV exposure darkens scars permanently if they’re still pink. Do not expose healing incisions to sunlight, and consistently wear sunscreen once your incisions have healed to promote the best scar healing possible.
These general guidelines support healing, but your surgeon’s specific instructions override everything else. Dr. Kim customizes facelift recovery protocols based on the patient’s procedure details and their recovery status during checkups.
Interested in Facelift Surgery in San Jose, CA?
Dr. Haena Kim is a double board-certified plastic surgeon focusing exclusively on facial and neck procedures, bringing specialized expertise and natural-looking results to every facelift. Ready to start your facial rejuvenation journey? Call (650) 507-3601 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation.