Last Updated May 2025
When planning a facelift procedure in Sydney, few factors impact your surgical outcome as dramatically as smoking and nicotine use. As a Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon in Sydney, Dr Scott J Turner has seen firsthand how smoking can compromise healing, increase complication risks, and diminish aesthetic results in facial rejuvenation procedures at his Manly and Double Bay clinics.
How Smoking Affects Facelift Surgery Results
Impaired Blood Flow and Tissue Healing
Smoking causes immediate and severe constriction of blood vessels throughout your body, including the delicate tissues of your face. This vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to healing tissues by 30-40%, creating an oxygen-deprived environment that compromises every stage of the healing process.
During a facelift or neck lift procedure, the skin is carefully lifted and repositioned, temporarily altering its blood supply. Similarly, blepharoplasty involves delicate eyelid tissues that require optimal blood flow for proper healing. For non-smokers, the body quickly establishes new circulation pathways. For smokers, however, this process is significantly impaired, leading to:
- Slower healing times
- Increased risk of wound breakdown
- Higher infection rates
- More visible and wider scarring
The Critical Risk in Facelift Surgery: Tissue Necrosis
Perhaps the most serious smoking-related complication in facelift surgery is tissue necrosis – the death of skin cells due to inadequate blood supply. Studies show smokers face a 12 times higher risk of developing necrosis compared to non-smokers. These complications typically appear in specific areas:
- Behind the ears (postauricular region)
- Near the ear canal (tragal incisions)
- Under the chin (submental area)
When tissue necrosis occurs, it can lead to open wounds, delayed healing, additional procedures, and permanent scarring – all compromising your final aesthetic result.
Required Smoking Cessation Timeline
For optimal surgical outcomes, Dr Turner recommends the following smoking cessation timeline:
- At least 6 weeks before surgery: Complete cessation of all nicotine products (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, patches, and gums)
- Entire recovery period (12+ weeks): Continued abstinence to support proper healing and scar formation
This timeline allows your body to:
- Normalize oxygen carrying capacity (72 hours)
- Restore proper fibroblast activity for wound healing (3 weeks)
- Reestablish healthy collagen production (6 weeks)
Beyond Cigarettes: All Nicotine Products Pose Risks
It’s important to understand that all nicotine products – not just traditional cigarettes – can compromise your surgical results. This includes:
- E-cigarettes and vaping devices
- Nicotine patches and gums
- Smokeless tobacco products
- Second-hand smoke exposure
These products maintain the vasoconstrictive effects of nicotine in your system, continuing to impair blood flow and healing even if you’re not smoking conventional cigarettes.
Verifying Nicotine Status Before Surgery
Many surgeons now use cotinine testing (a nicotine metabolite) to verify smoking status before proceeding with elective facial procedures. This testing helps ensure patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.
Being honest with your surgeon about your smoking habits is essential for developing the safest surgical plan for your individual situation.
Support for Smoking Cessation
Dr Turner and our team understand that quitting smoking can be challenging. We can provide resources and referrals to smoking cessation programs to support your journey toward both a successful surgery and improved overall health.
Next Steps for Your Facial Rejuvenation Journey
If you’re considering facelift surgery, neck lift, or blepharoplasty in Sydney and currently use nicotine products, the most important step you can take is to commit to quitting well in advance of your procedure. This single decision will significantly improve your healing, reduce your risk of complications, and enhance your final aesthetic outcome.
During your consultation at our Manly or Double Bay (Eastern Suburbs) clinic, Dr Turner will discuss your individual risk factors and create a personalized surgical plan to help you achieve the best possible results with facial rejuvenation procedures.
For more comprehensive information on how smoking affects various plastic surgery procedures, please visit our detailed resource on Smoking and Plastic Surgery.
Ready to discuss your facial rejuvenation options? Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
Dr Scott J Turner is a Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon practicing in Sydney, Australia, with clinics in Manly (Northern Beaches) and Double Bay (Eastern Suburbs). Dr Turner specializes in facial rejuvenation procedures including Deep Plane Facelift, Neck Lift, and Blepharoplasty. This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a personalized consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
