By Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon | Sydney, Brisbane & Canberra
A facelift is a significant decision—one that involves careful consideration, substantial investment, and a genuine commitment to recovery. But what often gets overlooked is what happens afterwards. The months and years following surgery matter just as much as the procedure itself.
This is something I discuss with every patient. The surgery establishes your foundation. What you do from that point forward determines whether you’re still pleased with your results at the 10-year mark—or wondering why things didn’t hold up the way you expected.
I’ve seen this play out many times over the years. Two patients, similar age, same procedure, same surgical approach. A decade later, one still looks fantastic. The other? Less so. And surprisingly, the difference rarely comes down to the surgery itself.
The Clock Doesn’t Stop (But It Does Reset)
Right, let’s get something straight from the start.
Your facelift won’t freeze time. Nothing does. What it actually does—and this is the bit worth understanding—is wind things back. Roughly 10 to 15 years, depending on the technique and your starting point.
So if you’re 55 and look 45 after surgery, brilliant. But you won’t look 45 at 65. You’ll probably look somewhere around 55. Still a decade ahead of where you’d otherwise be. That gap? It stays with you.
The patients who get this—really get it—tend to be happier long-term. They’re not chasing some impossible standard. They’re just making sure they age well from their new baseline.
What Makes Some Results Last Longer?
A couple of things matter here.
First, the technique. A traditional SMAS lift typically holds up for 7 to 10 years. Solid results, well-established approach. Deep plane facelifts tend to go further—often 10 to 15 years, sometimes beyond that.
Why the difference? Anatomy, basically. Deep plane work lifts the muscle and fat together as one unit instead of just pulling on skin. More structural integrity means more staying power. Makes sense when you think about it.
Second—and this is the part you control—everything else. Your habits. Your choices. Day after day, year after year. Genetics plays a role too, obviously. Can’t do much about that. But lifestyle factors? Those are on you.
Sun Protection
You’ve heard this before. But it matters more than almost anything else on this list.
UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin—the proteins keeping your skin firm. In Australia’s climate, that damage adds up fast. Faster than age itself, actually.
SPF 30 minimum, every morning. Overcast days included. Reapply if you’re outdoors for extended periods. Wide-brimmed hats when practical. Think of it as protecting your investment—thirty seconds each morning for years of benefit.
Skincare That Actually Does Something
Surgery fixes structure. Sagging, descent, all that. What it can’t fix is skin quality. Texture, fine lines, pigmentation—different problems, different solutions.
You don’t need a bathroom cabinet full of products. You need a few things that genuinely work, used consistently.
Retinoids sit at the top of the list. Vitamin A derivatives that support collagen and smooth texture over time. Start gently—your skin needs to adjust—and wait until your incisions have properly healed. Usually several weeks post-op, sometimes longer. Your surgeon can advise on timing.
Vitamin C in the morning. Antioxidant protection helps with collagen synthesis. Good stuff, minimal downside.
Hyaluronic acid for hydration. Keeps skin plump. Gentle enough for the recovery period and afterwards.
Niacinamide supports your skin barrier. Most people tolerate it well.
That’s basically it. Morning: cleanser, vitamin C serum, moisturiser, sunscreen. Night: cleanser, retinoid, moisturiser. Consistency trumps complexity every single time. Fancy 12-step routines aren’t necessary—and most people won’t stick with them anyway.
Sleep: More Important Than You’d Think
Your skin repairs itself while you sleep. Growth hormone release, collagen production, increased blood flow—it all happens during those deeper sleep stages.
Skimp on sleep regularly and cortisol goes up. That’s your stress hormone. It breaks down collagen and triggers inflammation. Show me someone who’s been sleep-deprived for years and I’ll show you someone whose face shows it.
Aim for 7 to 9 hours. And here’s something worth trying: back sleeping. Sounds minor, but think about it—side sleeping presses your face into a pillow night after night. Over decades, that adds up. Compression wrinkles are a real thing.
Head slightly elevated helps with puffiness too. Some patients swear by silk pillowcases. Less friction against the skin. Worth a go.
Smoking. Let’s Just Address This Directly.
Not going to sugarcoat it. Smoking wrecks facelift results.
Blood flow to the skin drops. Collagen production tanks. Free radicals multiply. Everything we’re trying to preserve—smoking attacks it. Research consistently shows smokers lose years off their results compared to non-smokers.
We require patients to quit well before surgery. And staying smoke-free afterwards isn’t negotiable if longevity matters to you.
If you currently smoke and you’re considering a facelift, quitting first is the single biggest thing you can do. Not just for the procedure—for everything.
Alcohol’s less severe but still a factor. Heavy drinking dehydrates skin, triggers inflammation, and impairs healing. Moderation helps.
The Weight Thing
This one catches people off guard.
Drop a significant amount of weight after your facelift—say 10 kilos or more—and your face can start looking hollow. Gaunt, even. The fat that provides volume and softness disappears. Sometimes you end up looking older despite having had the lift.
Gain substantial weight? Skin stretches. That defined jawline blurs. Fullness returns to areas the surgery addressed.
Small fluctuations, a couple of kilos either way, aren’t a concern. Bodies fluctuate. That’s normal. But major swings will show.
My recommendation: get to your stable weight before surgery. Then maintain it within a reasonable range afterwards. Much easier than trying to manage the consequences later.
Stress Shows Up Eventually
Chronic stress releases cortisol. Cortisol breaks down collagen and elastin. It also causes inflammation, messes with sleep, and generally accelerates the stuff we’re trying to slow down.
Can you eliminate stress? Obviously not. But managing it better—exercise, sleep, staying connected to people, whatever works for you—these things genuinely affect how your skin ages. Not just wellness talk. Measurable effects.
Getting Back to Exercise
Movement is good for the skin. Better circulation, stress reduction. But jumping back in too quickly post-surgery can cause problems.
First couple of weeks: walking only. Light stuff. Weeks 2 to 4, gentle cardio becomes an option for most people. Heavier exercise, weights, high-impact activities—usually wait until week 6 at minimum.
Healing varies though. Follow your surgeon’s guidance. If something hurts or swelling increases, dial it back. No rush here.
Non-Surgical Maintenance Options
Surgery deals with structure. But ageing involves more than sagging. Non-surgical treatments can extend results by handling what surgery doesn’t.
Cosmetic injectables can relax muscles that create dynamic lines—forehead, frown, and crow’s feet area. Regular treatments stop those lines from becoming permanently etched. In the neck, strategic placement can maintain jawline definition by reducing platysma pull.
Volume replacement addresses ongoing fat loss. Cosmetic injectables placed in the cheeks, temples, or lips can restore fullness as nature continues doing its thing. Key word: conservative. More isn’t better. Balance matters.
Skin treatments—microneedling, laser, IPL—target texture, pigmentation, fine lines. Good maintenance options. Worth discussing what suits your particular skin.
Staying Connected Long-Term
Regular follow-ups aren’t just ticking boxes. They’re how we spot issues early, track your results over time, and adjust your maintenance plan as needed.
Six months post-op. A year. Annually after that, or whenever something concerns you. Having someone who knows your surgical history—that’s valuable as years pass.
We’re not just here for the immediate recovery. The whole point is helping you get lasting value from your investment.
When Changes Start Appearing
Nothing lasts forever. Even with excellent care, eventually you’ll notice shifts. Jawline softens a bit. Maybe some neck banding returns. Folds deepen slightly.
Usually this happens gradually. And often, a mini facelift or targeted revision can address specific concerns without repeating the whole process. Some patients combine this with eyelid surgery or a brow lift to refresh the upper face too.
But remember—you’ll still look better than if you’d never had surgery. That baseline advantage persists. Always.
Pulling It All Together
Protecting your results isn’t rocket science. It’s just… consistent.
Sunscreen every day. A few proven skincare ingredients used regularly. Adequate sleep. Stable weight. No smoking. Stress management where possible. Non-surgical touch-ups as time passes. Ongoing relationship with your surgeon.
None of this is heroic effort. It’s just showing up, day after day, making reasonable choices.
Do that and your results can genuinely last a decade or longer. You’ll keep looking natural—not frozen, not overdone—just a better version of yourself, ageing well from your new starting point.
About Dr Scott J Turner
Dr Scott J Turner FRACS (Plas) is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in facelift surgery and facial procedures. He consults at clinics in Sydney (Manly and Bondi Junction), Brisbane, and Canberra.
To book a consultation, contact us or see our services for out-of-town patients.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for general information only and doesn’t constitute medical advice. Results vary between individuals. All surgery carries risks. Consult a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon to determine whether facelift surgery suits your circumstances.
