Precautions after a facelift

A facelift covers a large area, so how recovery is managed has a big effect on both the result and safety. It is important to follow the precautions below along with the clinic's advice.

Precautions during recovery

• No smoking — smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can seriously hinder healing
• Sleeping position — sleep on your back with your head raised
• No pressure on the face — don't massage or press hard on your face
• Hair care — colouring, perms and hot hairdryers only after the time advised
• Exercise, saunas, alcohol — avoid until advised
• Medications — be sure to tell the clinic before surgery about any medications and supplements

Because smoking reduces skin blood flow and hinders healing, stopping for about 4 weeks before and about 4 weeks after surgery is recommended. Hair colouring and perms are usually possible after about a month, exercise and saunas after about 4 weeks.

Possible side effects and risks

• Haematoma — blood can collect and need further treatment
• Reduced sensation — usually recovers over time, but varies
• Nerve injury — rarely, it can affect facial movement
• Scarring — scars can be noticeable or widen
• Skin necrosis or hair loss — rare, but the risk can rise with smoking, diabetes or high blood pressure
• Asymmetry — a difference may remain after swelling settles

Likelihood and severity depend on your condition and the extent of surgery, so it is important to have them explained individually at the consultation.

Contact the clinic straight away if

• one side of the face suddenly swells, hardens and becomes increasingly painful
• you develop a fever or pus comes from a wound
• the skin darkens
• one side of the face doesn't move well