“How long will my facelift results last?”

The question above is a common one we are asked by our patients interested in facelift surgery. A new study published in this month’s issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery sought to answer that question using a combination of objective and subjective measurements. The researchers say five years after facelift surgery, three quarters of patients will still look younger than they did before surgery.

The study (conducted by Dr. Barry Jones, the past president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) used photographs of 50 women. All of the photos were taken under the same lighting, using the same camera and face position. The photos were taken before facelift surgery, six days after, four weeks after, and four to five years later. The photos were used for:

  • Facial measurements: including measuring the height of the jowls and the angle of the chin to the neck.
  • Subjective observations: including looking at the laugh lines and marionette lines.
  • Overall score: a subjective grading of the patient’s appearance.

A computer program measured the way the face changed, such as the widening of the angle between the chin and neck caused by skin droopiness. At the five-year mark, there was some loss of improvement in the neck area. Overall, the study concluded most facelift patients will still look younger than they did previously, five years after surgery.

To find out how a facelift can improve your appearance, please contact the Cosmetic Surgical Center to schedule a consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Vasdev Rai in Dallas, Texas.