Let’s be honest - any cosmetic surgery that you are considering should be considered a long-term investment in yourself. You are going through with the procedure in order to improve your looks not just for months, but for years to come. That’s a huge investment to consider, so obviously, you want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth out of the procedure. As a result, it would make sense to want to know how long you should expect your facelift results to last.

Many of Dr. Paul Pin’s prospective facelift patients have asked him that exact same question. The simple answer is that facelift results are long lasting. However, a more accurate answer is that it will depend on a number of factors, including the type of facelift procedure you undergo and your self care routine following your facelift in order to preserve your results for as long as possible.

Longevity by Type of Facelift Procedure

Midface lift: This procedure is also sometimes known as a cheek lift. It addresses the area from under the eyes to just above the mouth. This area is often one of the first to show signs of aging. Results often last up to 10 years.

Mini facelift: This procedure focuses on the lower third of the face, including the jawline and the neck. Dr. Pin will place a series of small incisions behind the ear in order to address the appearance of sagging jowls around the jawline and neck. Because it really only addresses the facial tissue, such a procedure will last for up to five years.

Forehead lift: As the name of the procedure states, it is designed to remove deep horizontal lines across the forehead. For this procedure, Dr. Pin will make an incision starting behind one ear and then follow the hairline over to behind the other ear. He will then lift up the skin to tighten any excess. In general, this procedure will last up to five years.

Full facelift: This procedure is sometimes also known as a deep-plane facelift and addresses both the facial skin and the underlying muscle structure. Because it enhances both of these structures, a full facelift will provide you with the most long-lasting results - generally anywhere from 10 to 12 years.

Caring for Your Facial Skin

Of course, having a good skin care regimen after your facelift will also go a long way toward furthering its longevity. Perhaps the most important thing that you can do is to minimize any excess sun exposure, as ultraviolet rays can prematurely age the skin. Dr. Pin recommends applying a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) if you expect to be out in direct sunlight for more than 15 minutes. You should also wear a wide-brimmed hat and wrap-around sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around the outer corner of your eyes.

Dr. Pin also recommends using a good moisturizer on a daily basis, particularly overnight, as that is when your skin takes the time to recover from the damage of the day as a result of exposure to sunlight, pollution, and other environmental hazards.

Your facial features are important to you, which is why you have decided to undergo a facelift procedure. It is only natural that you want the investment you have made in in your appearance to last as long as possible.