It is generally advised to wait at least ten days, or once cleared by Dr. Hakimi, before applying makeup. Applying a lightweight sunscreen underneath your makeup will help hydrate and protect skin while preventing scarring.
Once the swelling wanes, that tightness feeling should dissipate in time. Your skin will also start to slightly stretch as it adapts to the new shape. You can expect the face to feel tight for a few months following the facelift surgery. The tightness can last for about 2 – 3 months.
Generally speaking, most patients will need to sleep on their back with their upper body slightly elevated for about 2 – 3 weeks after facelift surgery. For patients who undergo a less extensive procedure, such as a mini facelift, it may be possible to return to side-sleeping sooner.
Do not color or perm your hair for at least 4 weeks after surgery. - You may wash your face with a gentle antibacterial soap (Dial) and water.
While recovery is unique for each individual, it is generally recommended that showering be avoided for 48 hours after plastic surgery. This allows your incisions time to begin the healing process and helps prevent premature scab removal.
1. You may shower and wash your hair with a mild shampoo 48 hours after surgery. Your hair may be dried with a blow dryer on a cool setting since you may not have full sensation in the operative areas.
Swelling and inflammation are normal during facelift recovery. Swelling may occur around the mouth, chin, or jawline, depending on the extent of your facelift procedure and where it was performed. Most patients can expect the majority of their swelling to dissipate after 3 – 4 weeks.
How long do ears hurt after facelift? Some patients may experience pain or numbness in the ears after their facelift, which can persist for 1-3 months.
While facelift results can be different for every patient, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that, on average, patients felt they looked about 12 years younger after their facelift surgeries.
While the recovery timeline can vary from patient to patient, most people are generally able to resume front or side-sleeping after 2 – 4 weeks.
Massage after a facelift helps with:
The gentle upward massage strokes of a lymphatic facial soothe the pain receptors that signal the brain to interpret discomfort. Massage also increases circulation through healing tissues, which reduces pain.
Most patients wear their compression garments for about two weeks after their facelift, neck lift, or neck liposuction procedures.
After a neck lift, you're likely to have swelling and bruising. You might need to wear a special garment that compresses your neck and helps reduce swelling. You'll also need to keep your head elevated above your heart and to keep it straight. Don't twist or bend your neck.
There's no need – you can show up to your facial with your makeup still on, since your esthetician will just remove it all during the cleansing portion of the facial. The cleansing portion of the facial occurs even if you aren't wearing makeup, so arriving with makeup on won't take away any time from the treatment.
When performed correctly by the hands of a skilled surgeon, facelift results can be some of the most natural looking of any cosmetic procedure and can leave you with a rejuvenated and more youthful facial appearance.
Whether you undergo facelift surgery, breast augmentation, liposuction, or another procedure, Dr. Zemmel generally advises patients to avoid alcohol for at least one to two weeks after surgery—and only after you have finished taking your pain medications.
Hydrate. Drinking plenty of water is important to maintain maximum health and keep your body operating at a high level. This fact is especially true during recovery from surgery. Maintaining proper hydration levels will allow the body to heal properly and help abate any bruising or swelling after surgery.
Patients do complain of a feeling of fullness in the ears or pain in the ears for the first few days after surgery. This is caused by swelling, and improves fairly quickly.
You do not need to wear the cotton underneath the strap. Most patients instead prefer to wear a soft towel or scarf underneath the strap. The third and fourth week after surgery, you only need to wear the strap around the house and at night while you sleep. Swelling will peak at 2-3 days.
Brush teeth gently with a soft toothbrush only. Avoid manipulation of upper lip and cheeks. You may have difficulty opening your mouth wide or turning your head. As healing takes place and swelling subsides this will improve.
After your face-lift, you will experience bruising and swelling, which lasts about two to three weeks. Some people heal more quickly while others will heal more slowly. Even though you may not wish to go out in public during that time, you should begin to feel well in the first several days after surgery.
You may need to wait 2-3 days before you shower. At this time you may shower if you are comfortable, but leave the paper tapes over your incisions in place. Wash the area of sutures gently but thoroughly each time. You may need to apply gauze over your incisions to absorb any drainage and replace as needed.