December 09, 2025 | Facelift
5 minute read
Facelift recovery doesn’t have to be an arduous process. This blog outlines what patients can expect from the facelift recovery process, week by week, including important healing milestones and tips to make it easier.
The Benefits of a Facelift
Try as we might, there’s no stopping time and the changes it brings. When facial aging becomes more evident — fine lines and wrinkles progress, skin becomes thin and droopy, and the once-contoured facial angles start to sag — it might be time to consider a facelift.
Facelifts are considered the gold standard for facial rejuvenation, as no other procedure delivers results and longevity quite like them.
A facelift can correct:
- Lower face wrinkles and creases
- Volume loss
- Sagging jowls and cheeks
- Excess neck skin
- Neck muscle banding and excess fat
A beautiful result is, of course, the end goal of a facelift, but to achieve it, you must have an effective recovery process. While each facelift is unique to the patient and their recovery process, it can be helpful to know what to expect. Below, we’ll detail the facelift recovery process so patients can prepare and make the most of this time.
Facelift Recovery Week by Week
Initial Recovery Phase: Days 1–3 Post-Op
Facelifts are outpatient procedures typically performed under general anesthesia. This means that while most patients will be able to go home the day of the procedure, they will also be recovering from the anesthesia for a few hours.
The day of your surgery, your face will likely be bandaged with surgical gauze, and you may have a light compression strap under your chin. Your responsible driver will be able to take you home after your surgical team has provided you with your aftercare and recovery instructions. Once you get home, it’s important that you prioritize rest. You will likely be very groggy from the anesthesia, so it’s not uncommon to simply go to sleep right away.
We recommend that facelift patients keep their head elevated in the early stages of recovery to help reduce swelling and discomfort. You can sleep in an armchair or your bed with extra pillows to prop you up.
Bear in mind, the first three days of recovery are often the most uncomfortable. Around day three, your swelling is likely to peak, causing discomfort. You can mitigate this by using cold compresses, keeping your head elevated, and taking your medications as prescribed. In many cases, however, over-the-counter medications are sufficient to help through this period.
Primary Recovery Phase: Weeks 1–2 Post-Op
Your first two weeks of recovery are your primary healing stages, where you’ll see the most improvement and progress in rapid succession. During this period, you’ll likely be off work (more on that below), and rest will be your primary objective.
When recovering from any major surgery, it’s important to understand that your body has undergone trauma and it needs to expend most energy on healing. This means that you will have energy for little else; even a walk around the house can be draining. In addition, you have to try to get some movement in to reduce the risk of blood clots. A short walk around your room or living room is enough in the beginning, and you can slowly work your way up to walking around your block or neighborhood when you regain some strength.
Additionally, it’s important to be mindful of the foods you’re eating during recovery. It’s crucial to eat plenty of nutrient-dense foods like fruits, leafy greens and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Stay away from overly processed or fast foods. Protein shakes or nutritional shakes can be a good staple for when you don’t have much of an appetite, especially in the early days of recovery.
Some patients will feel okay to return to work and some regular activities after the first week of recovery, although most will need the whole two weeks. This all depends on the nature of your job, your natural healing process, and the complexity of your specific procedure.
Back to Normal Phase: Weeks 3–6
After your second full week of recovery, you should be feeling more and more like yourself. Energy levels are likely up, swelling and bruising are limited, and pain has all but disappeared. Most patients will be cleared to resume daily activities, such as driving, light housework, and returning to work. Intense exercise is still prohibited until about week eight.
Around this time, your facelift results usually become more apparent, especially as swelling reduces. You’ll be able to see the more subtle changes, as your jawline and chin appear more contoured, deep creases and wrinkles have disappeared, and your cheeks look more lifted and youthful. These results will only continue to improve over the following months.
Final Healing & Results: 6 Months to a Year Post-Op
Minor swelling can persist for some time during facelift recovery, but it’s usually so subtle that only the patient and surgeon can tell. Still, final results are generally visible once this happens.
At some point in your recovery, you can begin scar therapy. While your incisions will be hidden in your hairline, you can reduce the appearance of scarring by using silicone sheets or scar ointments to soften the scar tissue as it heals. It’s also important to protect your skin and incisions from sun damage by using a strong SPF and wearing a hat in prolonged sun exposure.
Your final facelift results will provide a more youthful, contoured look to the mid to lower face, turning back the clock ten or more years.
Want to Learn More About Facelifts in Reno, NV?
A facelift is the best way to turn back the clock in a way that looks natural. Call Dr. Louis Bonaldi today at (775) 828-7400 or fill out the contact form to request a consultation and get started on your rejuvenating journey.
