For a patient to be truly happy with the results of their facelift, they have to understand the process.

In cosmetic surgery, we do not do anything to stop aging.  Instead, we remove many of the signs of aging that have already occurred.  

If one is a pessimist, they say that facelift lasts one second!  You are indeed getting older immediately after the procedure is finished.  

On the other hand, if you are an optimist, you point out the fact that if your surgeon has removed two inches of skin, that the skin has been removed forever and any additional hang that you develop over the next several years, would have been there in addition to the two inches that was removed!  Therefore, you are two inches ahead forever.

The optimistic viewpoint is what really happens.  If your face is lifted to its more youthful contour and extra tissue has been removed, this correction lasts forever.  This does not mean that you will remain tight forever. The aging process will continue, but if you have been tightened two inches on each side, you are two inches ahead forever and will always looking years younger than you would have without your facelift!

The average time in my experience before most patients think about minor touchups after face-lifting is five to seven years.  Remember though, that we all have friends that are 50 but who look 70, and we all have friends are 70 but look 50! Each person will age a different rate.

There are things we can do to make the results last longer.  Sun protection, Retin-A and Glycolic treatments done at home can extend the life of your facelift tremendously.