Facelift Recovery Week by Week: What to Expect

Recovery after a facelift follows a fairly predictable sequence for most people: swelling and bruising increase over the first few days, most stitches come out at the end of the first week, social life resumes within two to four weeks, and the final appearance settles at six to nine months.² Swelling and bruising usually peak around days three and four, and minor swelling or numbness can last up to a year.³

That timeline is an average. The extent of surgery, whether the neck is treated and the individual’s tissues all change it. Below we go through recovery day by day and week by week, and separate what is expected from what needs a call without waiting.

The day of surgery and the first 48 hours

A facelift is performed under general anaesthesia or sedation and takes a few hours depending on its extent; most patients stay one night in hospital.^1,2 You wake with the face wrapped in a dressing, and some patients have a thin drain behind the ear to remove fluid. Pain is usually moderate and controlled with medication; tightness and pressure are often more noticeable than pain.

The first 24 hours are monitored closely because haematoma most often appears then and may need prompt treatment.¹ That is why keeping the head raised, avoiding straining that pushes blood pressure up and preventing nausea and vomiting all matter. At the day-two review, the dressing and drain are checked.³

The first week: swelling peaks, then recedes

Swelling and bruising are usually most visible on days three and four.³ After two or three days the dressing may be replaced with a lighter supportive sling.¹ Numbness around the ears and cheeks and a sense of tightness when chewing or smiling are expected at this stage.

Many people no longer need prescription pain medicine by days four to six.³ Most stitches are removed at around one week; some sutures or clips in the hair may stay a little longer.^1,2 At the end of the first week the face is still swollen and bruised, but you can manage your daily routine yourself.

From week two to week six

By the end of the second week bruising has largely faded and many people return to work, although working at a screen and a job with close face-to-face contact are not the same thing.³ The NHS describes full recovery as taking two to four weeks and advises avoiding strenuous activity, saunas and massage for the first two weeks.²

Mayo Clinic advises avoiding strenuous activity and make-up for the first three weeks and hair dye for six weeks.¹ Exercise usually resumes gently around weeks three and four.³ A feeling of stiffness in the face can last up to six weeks.²

From month three to the first year

Most visible swelling settles in the first weeks, but the tissues take months to settle into place. The final appearance emerges at six to nine months, and minor swelling or numbness around the ears and under the chin can continue for up to a year.^2,3 Numbness or weakness from nerve irritation occasionally lasts months, sometimes a year, and most often improves on its own.¹

Scars may look pink and slightly raised in the first months and fade over time; protecting them from sun during this period helps. The result can stay noticeable for many years, but the face continues to age: a facelift does not stop ageing.¹

Signs that need a call without waiting

Mild pain, tightness, swelling, bruising and numbness are expected. Contact your surgeon or emergency services promptly if you notice:

• Rapidly increasing swelling, tightness and pain on one side of the face or neck (possible haematoma)¹
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Fever, or increasing redness, warmth or discharge at a wound
• A new, clear loss of movement on one side of the face
• Severe pain that does not settle

Preparation that makes recovery easier

Recovery begins before surgery. Blood thinners and supplements such as aspirin, ibuprofen, clopidogrel, warfarin, fish oil, ginseng and ginkgo are adjusted about three weeks beforehand, always in discussion with your doctor.¹ Smoking impairs wound healing and needs to stop before and after surgery. Well-controlled blood pressure is important for lowering the risk of haematoma.¹

Having someone with you for the first days at home, extra pillows to keep your head raised, clothes that button at the front and soft food all make the first week easier.

How long to stay in Istanbul

In Op. Dr. Esin Özlem Atmış’s planning, a facelift and neck lift usually involves one night in hospital and about seven days in Istanbul. That covers the drain and dressing change and the one-week wound check, when stitches are removed. You need to arrive at least one day before surgery for the anaesthesia assessment.

Waiting 7–10 days before flying after facial surgery is generally advised, so it helps to plan the return date accordingly.⁴ Reviews are planned at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months; if you live abroad, they can be held online where appropriate, and an in-person examination is requested if needed. You will know from the start whom to contact if an urgent question arises after you return home.

Frequently asked questions