Why do I still have jowls after a facelift?

Author: Prof. Bessie Hill  |  Last update: Friday, June 20, 2025

Jowls are caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle. Even after a facelift procedure, jowls may still be present due to these factors.

Why do I still look old after facelift?

Sadly, facelift surgery is not the fountain of youth, and this procedure will not prevent or even halt the aging process. Visible facial aging is the result of tissue breakdown that results from natural collagen loss, sun damage, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and poor skin care.

Does skin continue to tighten after a facelift?

Will my face look tight after facelift surgery? Initially, your facial skin may indeed appear tight simply due to postoperative swelling, however, this tightness will relax as swelling subsides. A skilled plastic surgeon should not pull the skin so tightly that a stretched appearance or tight feeling lasts long-term.

How can you tell if a facelift is bad?

As you research and consult with plastic surgeons to perform your facelift, keep these 4 signs of a bad result on your radar. Visible scars, pixie ears, alteration of the natural hairline and an obvious pulled skin appearance are easy to spot.

Why didn't my facelift work?

The reason can generally be attributed to insufficient tightening along the SMAS. A properly done facelift should focus on deep plane correction and provide the foundation for the facelift. If the deep plane is undercorrected then the tissue laxity will quickly return.

Sagging Jowls 101: How they form and what to do about them! (tighten and eliminate!)

Is it normal to regret a facelift?

You might find yourself questioning your decision, feeling regret, or wondering if you've made a mistake. These are all typical emotions after plastic surgery, and they are a normal part of the healing process.

How long does it take for a facelift to look natural?

Facelift recovery time

You should look and feel normal after 2 – 4 weeks. Keep in mind that facelift surgery cannot stop natural aging, so we encourage patients to continue to take care of their skin and make healthy lifestyle choices. Read our recommendations for speeding recovery below.

How many people regret a facelift?

Do Most People Regret Plastic Surgery? According to a study conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2021, only 4% of patients regretted their plastic surgery procedure. The same study found that 98% of patients were satisfied with their results.

When does a facelift look best?

At weeks 3 and 4, you may still have some residual swelling (this is normal and will dissipate), but for the most part it is at this point patients often begin to see real improvement in their face. You will look and feel much better three weeks after your facelift.

What does a botched facelift look like?

Botched Facelift Signs:

Skin Asymmetry: Uneven tightness or misalignment of facial features. Impaired Muscle Function: Difficulty moving facial muscles smoothly. Unnatural Facial Expressions: Stiffness or inability to express naturally. Uneven Contours: Lumps or skin folds that are irregular.

When does tightness go away after a facelift?

In most cases, facial tightness will fade anywhere from six to 12 weeks after the surgery. Your surgeon will recommend various ways to manage this issue, including: Gently massage around your jawline. Keep your head elevated when sleeping.

Why do eyes look smaller after facelift?

After a facelift, the eyes could look smaller because the other structures have significantly changed, which can alter overall facial proportions. In other words, the eye area won't appear the same because of the rejuvenated appearance of the mid and lower face.

How much does a lower face lift cost?

In general, a minor (mini) facelift will cost $11,000, on average. Standard (full) face and neck lift surgery, on average, will cost $13,500. A mid facelift will cost $10,000, on average. A lower facelift, on average, will cost $11,000.

What is a failed facelift?

In some instances, there are signs of a bad facelift even before the results of the procedure are visible. These usually involve medical complications that are associated with the procedure or healing process and can include: An accumulation of fluid in the face. Prolonged swelling. Infection.

What causes a Joker smile after a facelift?

Nasolabial folds, the parentheses offsetting the mouth, may also look a bit better after surgery but probably won't disappear entirely, he explains. Tugging that area enough to iron out deep creases can distort the mouth into a telltale Joker smile.

Why do some facelifts look bad?

What Are The Signs Of Poorly Done Facelifts? Windblown Look: This is caused when the surgeon stretches the facial skin beyond a natural point, resulting in the face appearing too tight, pulled back, and unnatural.

Will people notice my facelift?

Unlike having a nose job or a breast enlargement, a facelift can be subtle enough that even your close friends and family members won't know you've had surgical intervention.

What is the hardest plastic surgery to recover from?

The recuperation process following rhinoplasty, frequently referred to as a nose job, presents a recovery challenge. Patients commonly experience discomfort in the facial and neck areas. Rhinoplasty is often considered the hardest plastic surgery procedures to recovery from.

How many facelifts can you get in a lifetime?

Can I Have Multiple Facelifts? Technically, there is no limit or “magic number” regarding how many facelifts can be performed. But as we mentioned, we want to make sure your results remain as natural as possible. Too many surgeries can make a face look “pulled” and unnatural, which is generally undesirable.

What is the most regretted surgery?

The percentage of patients reporting regret ranged from 0 to 47.1 ​% in breast reconstruction, 5.1–9.1 ​% in breast augmentation, and 10.82–33.3 ​% in body contouring. In other surgical subspecialties, 30 ​% of patients experience regret following prostatectomy and up to 19.5 ​% following bariatric surgery.

What is the divorce rate for plastic surgery?

There is also some evidence indicating that plastic surgery could lead to divorce. One figure suggest that 40% of women who undergo plastic surgery end up divorcing the spouse to whom they were married before the surgery (http://www.beautynova.com/plastic-surgery/divorce.htm).

How many years does a facelift take off your age?

Eric Swanson, MD discovered that most facelift procedures create results that the majority of patients find to remove about 12 years from their facial appearance, on average. By studying the outcomes of more than 100 facelift patients, while also interviewing them to learn how they feel about their results, Dr.

What is the most natural looking facelift?

The SMAS facelift is targeted towards the correction of the internal structure of the facial skin, thus yielding more natural-looking results as compared to the conventional facelift. The results last longer (as long as ten years or more) than those of the traditional facelift.

How many hours does a full facelift take?

A face-lift generally takes 3 to 6 hours. But it might take longer if other cosmetic procedures are done at the same time.

Can a facelift go wrong?

Facelift risks, while rare, include: Anesthesia risks. Bleeding. Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications.

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