How Long Do Facelift Results Last? Expert Insights & Tips

Facelifts provide firm skin and youthful facial contour, lifting sagging facial skin and underlying tissues, but it is not permanent. You can only have its benefits for a certain period of time. So, the common question that comes to everyone’s mind is, How long does a facelift last? According to research done by the University of Utah, the result of a facelift lasts for up to 10 years.

However, the longevity of facelift treatment results actually depends upon the type of facelift you get. In this article, you will learn how long the results of different facelift treatments last, what affects the longevity of facelift results and how to maintain a long-lasting facelift result. Together, you will also understand how often it is best to have a facelift treatment, in order to achieve your desired aesthetic goals.

Why Facelift Results are not Permanent?

Facelifts reverse the aging signs by tightening underlying muscles, removing excess skin and repositioning soft tissues for a while, but they cannot stop the natural aging process of your body. Despite a facelift, the skin continues to lose collagen and elastin fibers, which are responsible for its firmness and elasticity. This natural decline leads to new sagging over time. The continuous pull of gravity on facial tissues eventually causes them to droop again, whereas the genetic and cellular processes that lead to aging continue regardless of surgical intervention.

What Is the Longevity of Different Facelift Types?

Longevity of facelift results actually depends upon the type of facelift treatment you get. Different kinds of facelift treatment, such as Liquid Facelift, SMAS, facelift, Onda Lifting, Titanium lifting and more, have their own duration of showing effect.

1. Liquid Facelift

According to Dr. Seungjae Baek of Reberry Clinic at Myeongdong, a liquid facelift typically lasts 12 to 18 months before requiring touch-up treatments. This non-surgical procedure uses dermal fillers and neurotoxins to restore volume and smooth wrinkles without incisions. The results fade gradually as your body naturally absorbs the injectable substances. Most patients schedule maintenance appointments every 6 to 12 months to preserve their refreshed appearance.

2. Thread Lift

According to the International Centre for Cosmetic Medicine, thread lifts generally last around nine months and, in rarer cases, up to three years. The dissolvable threads stimulate collagen production while providing immediate lifting, but the threads themselves dissolve within 6 to 8 months. The collagen boost continues to give some skin-tightening effects even after thread dissolution. This minimally invasive option offers shorter longevity compared to surgical alternatives.

3. Onda Lifting

The results of Onda Lifting typically lasts for 2 to 4 years with proper maintenance treatments. This advanced non-invasive aesthetic procedure uses microwave technology, which stimulates deep collagen remodeling and skin tightening without surgery. Onda lifting continues to improve your skin for several months after the treatment as new collagen forms. Most patients benefit from annual maintenance sessions to sustain the lifting and tightening effects.

4. Titanium Lifting

Titanium lifting results generally lasts for 3 to 5 years making it one of the long-lasting non-surgical facelift treatment options. In this advanced procedure, triple-wavelength laser technology is used to deliver controlled energy to varying skin depths. This controlled energy stimulates collagen and elastin production; as a result, you can see improvement in firmness, elasticity and overall appearance of your skin.

5. Mini Facelift

A mini facelift typically provides results lasting 5 to 8 years before significant aging becomes noticeable again. This less invasive surgical procedure targets the lower face and jawline with smaller incisions than traditional facelifts. The shorter recovery time comes with a trade-off of reduced longevity compared to more comprehensive surgical options. Most patients appreciate the balance between downtime and duration of results.

6. Deep Plane Facelift

Deep plane facelift results typically last 10 to 15 years, representing one of the most durable facial rejuvenation options. This advanced surgical technique repositions deeper facial structures rather than just tightening skin. The comprehensive approach also addresses muscle layers and fat compartments for more natural, long-lasting improvements.

7. SMAS Facelift

An SMAS facelift generally provides results lasting 10 to 15 years with proper care and maintenance. This procedure targets the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, the deeper layer of facial muscles and tissues. By addressing both skin and underlying structures, SMAS facelifts create more comprehensive and enduring improvements. The technique offers excellent longevity while maintaining natural facial expressions and movement.

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What Factors Affect the Longevity of a Facelift?

Besides the type of facelift treatment, there are several more factors that affect the longevity of facelift results. These factors include natural elasticity of your skin, your lifestyle, post-surgical care and more. Being aware of these factors, you shall enjoy your rejuvenated appearance for a longer time.

Here are the factors that affect the longevity of a facelift:

1. Skin Elasticity

Skin elasticity plays the most critical role in determining facelift longevity, as more elastic skin maintains lifted results longer. Patients with good collagen production and minimal sun damage typically enjoy extended results because their skin can better support the repositioned tissues. Poor skin elasticity from aging, genetics, or environmental damage leads to faster sagging and reduced procedure duration. 

2. Lifestyle Factors and Stress

Smoking significantly shortens facelift results by reducing blood flow and breaking down collagen at an accelerated rate. Excessive sun exposure can also cause skin damage that affects surgical improvements and speeds up the aging process. Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can degrade skin quality and reduce the longevity of facial rejuvenation results. Poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, and high alcohol consumption also affect the skin’s health and reduce the duration of facelift benefits.

3. Post-Surgical Care

Following proper post-surgical care instructions directly impacts both healing quality and result longevity. Patients who follow regular wound care, avoid premature physical activity, and attend all follow-up appointments typically experience better long-term outcomes. Sticking to prescribed medications and activity restrictions during recovery also ensures optimal tissue healing and positioning. 

4. Age at Surgery

Younger patients generally experience longer-lasting facelift results because their skin retains better elasticity and healing capacity. Patients in their 40s and 50s often maintain results for the full expected duration, while those over 65 may see faster recurrence of aging signs. The natural aging process continues after surgery, but younger skin responds better to surgical repositioning and maintains improvements longer.

5. Genetics

Genetic factors control individual aging patterns, collagen production rates, and skin quality maintenance over time. Some people inherit genes that promote slower aging and better collagen synthesis, extending their facelift results naturally. A family history of premature aging or poor skin elasticity can mean shorter procedure longevity despite excellent surgical technique.

How to Maintain a Long-lasting Facelift?

1. Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Avoiding smoking is the most important step to preserve your facelift results, as tobacco damages blood vessels and breaks down skin collagen. Regular exercise improves blood flow to facial tissues and helps maintain healthy skin tone throughout the aging process. Similarly, getting enough sleep allows your skin to repair itself naturally, while managing stress prevents hormone-related skin damage that can shorten facelift longevity.

2. Regular Skin Maintenance

Daily sunscreen use with SPF 30 or higher protects your facelift by preventing UV damage that speeds up aging. A consistent skincare routine with gentle cleansing and quality moisturizing keeps skin healthy and supports long-term results. Professional treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy can enhance your facelift results and address new signs of aging as they develop.

3. Healthy Diet

Eating foods rich in vitamins C and E supports collagen production and helps maintain the skin structure created during your facelift. Likewise, staying well-hydrated keeps skin plump and elastic, which helps preserve the lifted appearance longer. You should also limit sugar and processed foods, which reduce inflammation that can break down skin proteins and compromise your surgical results.

4. Consider Cosmetic Injectables

Strategic use of Botox can prevent muscle movements that create new wrinkles and help maintain your smooth facelift results. Dermal fillers can also restore volume loss that occurs naturally over time, supporting the lifted contours achieved through surgery. These non-surgical treatments work as maintenance tools to extend the life of your facelift without requiring additional surgery.

5. Choose a Qualified Facelift Surgeon

Selecting a board-certified cosmetic surgery specialist like the specialists from Re:berry Clinic ensures proper surgical technique that creates natural-looking results. An experienced surgeon uses advanced methods that address deeper tissue layers, providing more durable improvements than basic techniques. Working with a qualified dermatologist also helps prevent botched facelifts that could leave lasting effects.

How Many Times Can You Do a Facelift?

Most patients can safely undergo 2 to 3 facelifts during their lifetime, with at least 10 to 15 years between procedures. The number depends on skin quality, healing ability, and the amount of available tissue for repositioning during each surgery. Each subsequent facelift becomes more challenging as skin elasticity decreases and scar tissue forms from previous procedures. Most plastic surgeons recommend waiting until significant aging occurs before considering a second facelift to ensure meaningful improvement and optimal safety.

Conclusion

Facelift longevity varies significantly by procedure type, ranging from 12 months for liquid facelifts to 15 years for comprehensive surgical options like SMAS or deep plane techniques. Your individual results depend on factors including skin quality, age at surgery, lifestyle choices, and postoperative care adherence. By choosing the right procedure type, maintaining healthy habits, and working with a qualified plastic surgery specialist, you can maximize both the duration and quality of your facial rejuvenation results.