In this guide15 sections
- Key Points
- How Long Is Facelift Recovery?
- Facelift Recovery Time by Technique
- Facelift Recovery Timeline: Day by Day and Week by Week
- Swelling and Bruising After a Facelift
- Numbness, Tightness and Facial Movement After a Facelift
- Facelift Scars: Where They Are and How They Heal
- Sleeping, Washing Your Hair, Driving and Work After a Facelift
- When Can I Exercise After a Facelift?
- Facelift Aftercare: Dos and Don’ts
- Recovering From a Combined Facelift and Neck Lift
- When to Contact Your Surgeon After a Facelift
- Facelift Recovery FAQs
- Facelift in London
- References
Key Points
- How long is facelift recovery? Most people return to work and socialising at about two weeks, to full exercise at about six weeks, and see the final result at three to six months, with scars maturing for up to a year.
- Does the type of facelift matter? Yes. A one-stitch or mini facelift usually settles in four to six weeks; a full SMAS or deep plane facelift takes about eight to 12 weeks to settle fully.
- How long do bruising and swelling last? Both peak at around days 2 to 3. Visible bruising lasts about two weeks, and most swelling has gone by four weeks, with subtle swelling for a few months.
- Is numbness normal after a facelift? Yes. Numbness of the cheeks and around the ears is common and usually improves over weeks to months.
- How should I sleep after a facelift? On your back with your head raised for at least the first two to three weeks.
- When are stitches removed? Usually at about one week, with any stitches in the hair sometimes removed a few days later.
Facelift recovery time depends more on the technique than on anything else. After a full facelift, most people feel ready to go back to work and to be seen socially at about two weeks, return to the gym at about six weeks, and see their final result at three to six months. A smaller lift recovers faster, and a deeper lift takes a little longer to settle, but gives a longer-lasting result.
Most facelifts are carried out under TIVA (total intravenous anaesthesia), while some smaller lifts can be done under local anaesthetic with sedation; your surgeon and anaesthetist decide which suits you. This guide covers the facelift recovery timeline day by day and week by week, how recovery differs by technique, swelling, numbness, scars, sleeping, exercise and the warning signs to look out for. Our guide to the types of facelift explains the techniques in more detail. For advice that applies to every operation, see our recovery after cosmetic surgery hub, and to see results once they have settled, browse our facelift before and after photos.
How Long Is Facelift Recovery?
Facelift recovery has three stages. The social recovery, when bruising and obvious swelling go, takes about two to three weeks. Getting back to full exercise takes about six weeks. The final result, when the last swelling has settled and the face feels normal again, takes three to six months, and scars keep softening for up to a year.
That matches the NHS guidance on facelift recovery ↗, which says recovery takes about two to four weeks, that bruising is visible for at least two weeks, and that strenuous activity, saunas and massages should be avoided for at least two weeks.
Facelift Recovery Time by Technique
“Facelift recovery” means different things depending on what is done. As a general rule, the more extensive the lift, the longer the recovery and the longer-lasting the result.
- One-stitch (micro) facelift, about four weeks: the least invasive option, lifting the midface through a small incision near the ear. Swelling and bruising are usually light and settle within 10–14 days.
- Mini facelift recovery, about four to six weeks: treats the jowls and jawline through shorter incisions around the ear. Bruising and swelling usually settle within two to three weeks. In a 2024 review of 4,451 limited incision facelifts ↗, most done under local anaesthetic or sedation, the overall complication rate was 3.2%, with haematoma the most common at 2%[1].
- SMAS facelift, about eight to 12 weeks: lifts the deeper SMAS layer (the muscle and fibrous tissue under the skin) as well as the skin, for a more lasting result and a longer recovery.
- Deep plane facelift recovery, about ten to 12 weeks or more: releases and lifts the tissues at a deeper level for the greatest correction of the midface, jowls and neck. Early swelling is often similar to a SMAS lift, but the last of it takes longest to settle.
Deep plane and SMAS facelifts have broadly similar safety. In a 2025 meta-analysis of 47 studies and 10,766 patients ↗, haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin) occurred in about 3% of deep plane and 2% of SMAS facelifts, and most nerve injuries were temporary and recovered[2]. Your surgeon recommends a technique for your anatomy and goals rather than for the shortest recovery; our guides to deep plane vs SMAS facelift and facelift vs mini facelift explain the trade-offs.
Your facelift recovery dates
Add your operation date to see the milestones in this guide as dates, then save them to your phone's calendar.
Facelift Recovery Timeline: Day by Day and Week by Week
This timeline describes a typical full facelift. Timings vary with the technique and with how you heal, so always follow your own surgeon’s instructions.
Day of surgery
A facelift takes about two to four hours, depending on the technique. You wake with a supportive dressing around the face and sometimes small drains, which are usually removed within a day or two. Most facelifts are day cases, so you go home once you are comfortable. A responsible adult must take you home by car or taxi and stay with you for 24 hours; the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ advice for the person looking after you ↗ explains what that involves. You are given your surgeon’s direct number for the first 24 hours on your discharge summary.
Days 1–3
Swelling, tightness and bruising build up and are usually at their worst around days 2 to 3. Discomfort is usually moderate and controlled with the painkillers you are prescribed. The face may look uneven while swelling settles, which is normal. Rest with your head raised, walk around the house regularly, and avoid bending, lifting and turning your head sharply. Your dressing is usually removed and replaced with a compression garment within the first day or two.
Week 1
Your first review is at about one week, when stitches in front of the ear are usually removed and the incisions are checked. Bruising starts to turn yellow and green. Many people no longer need regular painkillers by the end of the week.
Week 2
Bruising and swelling continue to settle. Most people feel ready to go back to work at about two weeks, and some prefer to work from home a little longer until the bruising has faded. A scarf or high collar helps cover any bruising on the neck.
Weeks 3–4
Most bruising has gone and the face looks natural to other people, with mild swelling, firmness and tightness that you notice more than others do. Light exercise can usually start again with your surgeon’s agreement.
Week 6
Your surgeon reviews your healing. If all is well, you can return to full exercise and most normal activities.
3–12 months
The last of the swelling settles over three to six months, especially after a deep plane facelift, and feeling in the cheeks and around the ears continues to return. Scars soften and fade for up to a year.
Swelling and Bruising After a Facelift
Swelling and bruising are expected parts of facelift recovery, not complications. Most visible swelling settles within three to four weeks, and minor swelling, often worse in the morning or along the jawline, can last a few months but is rarely noticeable to others.
How to reduce bruising and swelling
- Keep your head raised on two or three pillows, or in a reclining chair, for the first two to three weeks.
- Use cold compresses for the first two to three days, wrapped in a cloth, for 10–15 minutes at a time. Take care on numb skin, which cannot feel if it is getting too cold.
- Wear your compression garment as advised, usually day and night for the first two weeks and then during the day for a further two weeks. Garments are bought separately and confirmed in advance.
- Stay hydrated and keep salt to a minimum, because it encourages fluid retention.
- Avoid heat such as hot baths, saunas and strong sun for at least four weeks.
- Avoid medicines that increase bleeding. Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen unless your surgeon advises it. If you take aspirin or a blood thinner for a medical condition, only stop it on medical advice.
Some surgeons also give tranexamic acid, a medicine that reduces bleeding, during surgery. A systematic review found it reduced drain output and minor haematomas after facelift, along with swelling and bruising, without increasing complications[3].
Numbness, Tightness and Facial Movement After a Facelift
Numbness of the cheeks and around the ears is normal after a facelift and usually improves over a few weeks to months, as the BAAPS guidance on facelift and neck lift ↗ explains. As feeling returns, itching, tingling and short shooting sensations are common. The face and neck also feel tight and stiff for several weeks, and smiling can feel a little different while the swelling settles. Avoid exaggerated facial expressions and heavy chewing for the first week.
Weakness of part of the face, such as the corner of the mouth, is uncommon and usually temporary. In a 2026 meta-analysis of 10,784 deep plane facelifts, temporary facial nerve weakness occurred in 1.2% of patients and no permanent nerve injury was reported[4]. Tell your surgeon if you notice any weakness, so it can be checked and monitored.
Facelift Scars: Where They Are and How They Heal
Facelift incisions are placed in the hairline at the temple, along the natural creases in front of the ear, and behind the ear into the hairline. Mini and one-stitch facelift scars are shorter and sit almost entirely around the ear. Scars look pink and slightly raised at first, fade over about six months and continue to soften for up to a year or more. Once the incisions have fully closed, usually after one to two weeks, your surgeon may suggest a silicone scar gel. Protect scars from the sun, and if you wear your hair up, a little coverage helps in the first few months.
Sleeping, Washing Your Hair, Driving and Work After a Facelift
Sleeping after a facelift
Sleep on your back with your head raised for at least the first two to three weeks. A travel pillow or pillows either side can stop you rolling onto your face. Avoid sleeping on your side until your surgeon is happy, usually from around four weeks.
Washing your hair
You can usually wash your hair from about 48 hours after surgery, once any dressing has been removed, using a mild shampoo. Dry it on a cool setting rather than rubbing with a towel, and avoid hair dye for at least four to six weeks.
Clothing
Wear front-fastening tops for the first week or two, so you do not pull clothes over your face.
Driving
Do not drive for at least 24 hours after an anaesthetic or sedation. Most people drive again at about two weeks, once they can turn their head comfortably to check mirrors and are no longer taking painkillers that cause drowsiness. Check your insurance policy, as some insurers require a longer gap after surgery.
Going back to work
Most people return to work at about two weeks after a full facelift, and sooner after a mini or one-stitch facelift. Allow longer if your job is physical or you want the bruising to have faded completely.
When Can I Exercise After a Facelift?
Exercising too soon raises your blood pressure, which increases the risk of bleeding under the skin, prolonged swelling and wound problems.
- Days 1–3: rest, with short walks around the house.
- Weeks 1–3: walks of up to 30 minutes, which also lower the risk of blood clots. Nothing more strenuous.
- Weeks 3–4: gentle yoga, Pilates and easy cycling, avoiding head-down positions and anything that strains the neck.
- Weeks 4–6: light jogging and longer cycling, building up slowly.
- Week 6 onwards: most people are back to their full routine, including the gym, once their surgeon is happy.
Mini and one-stitch facelift patients often progress a little faster, but should still follow their surgeon’s advice. Sex and other vigorous activity should wait about six weeks. Our guide to exercising after cosmetic surgery explains how to build back up safely.
Facelift Aftercare: Dos and Don’ts
Do
- Prepare before surgery. Stop smoking and nicotine at least four weeks before and four weeks after surgery, stop aspirin two weeks before only if your doctor agrees, and get your home ready with extra pillows, easy meals and front-fastening clothes.
- Rest properly for the first seven to ten days.
- Eat well, with protein for tissue repair, fruit and vegetables, and plenty of water.
- Keep the incisions clean and out of direct sunlight.
Don’t
- Smoke or use nicotine. Nicotine reduces blood flow to the lifted skin and raises the risk of wound healing problems.
- Drink alcohol for at least two weeks, because it worsens swelling and should not be mixed with some painkillers.
- Sleep on your side or front until your surgeon says so.
- Bend, lift or strain for at least two weeks.
- Look after young children or pets on your own in the first week, when an accidental knock is more likely.
- Have anti-wrinkle injections or fillers until your surgeon is happy that you have healed, usually at least six weeks.
Recovering From a Combined Facelift and Neck Lift
A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, because jowls and neck laxity usually develop together. Combining them means one anaesthetic and one recovery period. The recovery follows the facelift timeline above, with a little more swelling and tightness under the chin and along the jawline in the first two weeks; our neck lift recovery guide covers that side in more detail. A facelift can also be combined with eyelid surgery, as our blepharoplasty recovery guide explains.
When to Contact Your Surgeon After a Facelift
Serious problems after a facelift are uncommon, but haematoma needs prompt treatment. In a 2016 study of 11,300 facelifts ↗, 1.8% of patients had a major complication needing an emergency visit, hospital admission or return to theatre within 30 days. Haematoma (1.1%) and infection (0.3%) were the most common. Men were about four times more likely to have a haematoma, and the complication rate was higher when a facelift was combined with other procedures[5]. Contact your surgical team straight away if you have:
- swelling that is sudden, painful or much worse on one side of the face or neck
- bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure, or a dressing that becomes very tight
- pain that is getting worse rather than better
- a temperature above 38°C, or spreading redness, heat or discharge from an incision
- dark or blistered skin near the incisions, or new weakness of the face
- a painful, swollen calf or breathlessness (call 999 for chest pain or difficulty breathing)
For the first 24 hours, call your surgeon on the direct number on your discharge summary. After that, call the clinic on 020 7993 4849, 9am–6pm Monday to Saturday, and NHS 111 out of hours, or 999 in an emergency. Our guide to facelift complications explains how each is managed.
Facelift Recovery FAQs
How long does it take to heal from a full facelift?
Most people look presentable and are back at work at about two weeks, return to full exercise at about six weeks, and see the final result at three to six months. The scars continue to mature for up to a year.
Is facelift recovery painful?
Most people describe tightness, stiffness and aching rather than severe pain, managed with the painkillers they are prescribed. Deeper lifts tend to cause more discomfort in the first few days than a mini or one-stitch facelift. Pain that is severe, one-sided or getting worse needs checking straight away.
How long is mini facelift recovery?
Most people see bruising and swelling settle within two to three weeks, are back at work within about a week to ten days, and are fully recovered at around four to six weeks.
What is deep plane facelift recovery like?
The first two weeks are similar to other facelifts, with swelling and bruising peaking at days 2 to 3 and most people back at work at about two weeks. The final contour takes longest to settle, often three to six months or more.
Will my face be numb after a facelift?
Yes, the cheeks and the skin around the ears are usually numb at first. Feeling generally returns over a few weeks to months, often with itching or tingling as it does.
How long should I wear the compression garment?
Usually day and night for the first two weeks, then during the day for a further two weeks, as your surgeon advises. It can be removed to shower.
When will I see my final results?
You can see the shape of the result from about six weeks, but the final result takes three to six months to settle as the last of the swelling goes.
How long does a facelift last?
A full facelift commonly lasts ten years or more, while smaller lifts usually last less, because the face continues to age from its new starting point. Our guide to how long a facelift lasts gives typical durations for each technique.
Is facelift recovery different for men?
The timeline is the same, but men have a higher risk of haematoma after a facelift, so careful blood pressure control and proper rest in the first days matter even more[5]. Our male facelift page explains how the operation is adapted.
Where can I see real facelift recovery photos?
Our facelift before and after gallery shows results from our own patients. We do not publish day-by-day recovery photos, because healing varies so much between people and techniques that one case can be a misleading guide to your own recovery.
Facelift in London
We perform over 100 facelift and neck lift procedures each year at our CQC-regulated Baker Street hospital, rated Good overall by the CQC, and every operation is performed by a GMC-registered surgeon. We offer SMAS, deep plane, mini, one-stitch and endoscopic facelift techniques, so your surgeon can recommend the one that suits your anatomy and goals, and the consultant who assesses you at consultation is the consultant who performs your surgery. You have follow-up reviews as you heal, including stitch removal at about one week and a review at about six weeks. Your initial consultation is £100, redeemable against the cost of surgery if you go ahead; our facelift cost guide explains the price by technique, and our facelift page explains the operation in full.
Phone: 020 7993 4849 | Address: 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone, London W1U 6RN
Contact us to schedule a consultation
References
- Amador RO, Hamaguchi R, Bartlett RA, et al. Limited incision facelifts: a contemporary review of approaches and complications. Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2024;44(3):NP218–NP224. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad344
- Vayalapra S, Guerero DN, Sandhu V, et al. Comparing the safety and efficacy of superficial musculoaponeurotic system and deep plane facelift techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Plastic Surgery 2025;95(5):582–589. doi:10.1097/SAP.0000000000004454
- Alenazi AS, Obeid AA, Alderaywsh A, et al. Impact of tranexamic acid on bleeding outcomes and complication rates in facelift: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2024;44(11):NP749–NP761. doi:10.1093/asj/sjae156
- Koroma P, Reji N, Burridge I, et al. Deep plane facelifts: a systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2026;50(17):6874–6896. doi:10.1007/s00266-026-06138-x
- Gupta V, Winocour J, Shi H, et al. Preoperative risk factors and complication rates in facelift: analysis of 11,300 patients. Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2016;36(1):1–13. doi:10.1093/asj/sjv162
