How to Care for Your Skin After a Facelift

Posted on: April 28, 2023

Introduction

At Chicago Liposuction by Lift Body Center, located in Schaumburg, IL, we understand that taking the steps necessary to prepare for and care for your skin after a facelift is essential to achieving the desired results. Facelifts are a popular way to reduce wrinkles and signs of aging, and when done correctly, can provide long-lasting results. To ensure that you get the most out of your facelift, it’s important to follow proper skin care instructions before and after surgery. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to properly care for your skin after a facelift.

Preparation Before Surgery

Proper preparation before a facelift is essential for a successful outcome and to ensure the best possible care for your skin after the procedure. To begin, you should consult with your surgeon to discuss your desired results, potential risks and complications, and any pre-surgery instructions.

Consultation with Surgeon

Your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is an important step in preparation for a facelift. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to discuss your desired outcome and ask questions about the procedure, including the type of anesthesia that will be used, the expected recovery time, and what you can do to ensure the best possible results. Your surgeon will also provide instructions for pre-surgery preparation, such as avoiding certain medications or supplements that could increase bleeding or interfere with anesthesia.

Pre-Surgery Instructions

Your surgeon may provide specific instructions prior to surgery to prepare you for the procedure and help reduce potential risks and complications. These instructions may include avoiding alcohol, smoking, or certain medications; eating a healthy diet; drinking plenty of water; exercising regularly; and getting enough rest. Additionally, your doctor may advise that you avoid sun exposure in the weeks leading up to surgery to minimize the risk of infection and scarring.

It is important to follow all pre-surgery instructions provided by your doctor carefully in order to ensure a successful outcome and minimize any potential risks or complications associated with the procedure. Following these instructions can also help ensure that you are well prepared for caring for your skin after a facelift.

Preparation before facelift essential for successful outcome; consultation with surgeon to discuss desired results and pre-surgery instructions; instructions may include avoiding certain medications, eating healthy, exercising, and avoiding sun exposure.

Care Immediately Following Surgery

It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions for post-surgery care to ensure a successful recovery. Immediately following surgery, you should use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising and avoid sun exposure. You should also get plenty of rest and sleep as your body recovers from the procedure.

Follow Post-Surgery Instructions

Your surgeon will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for yourself after the procedure, including what medications to take, when to change bandages, and when to shower. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure a successful recovery.

Use Cold Compresses to Reduce Swelling and Bruising

Applying cold compresses can help reduce swelling and bruising in the days following surgery. Your surgeon may recommend using a cold compress for 15 minutes at a time, several times per day.

Avoid Sun Exposure

It is important to avoid sun exposure immediately after surgery as your skin will be more sensitive than usual. You should wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher if you do go outside, and it is best to stay out of direct sunlight if possible.

Get Plenty of Rest and Sleep

Your body needs time to heal after a facelift, so it is important to get plenty of rest and sleep in the days following surgery. Aim for 8 hours of sleep per night, and avoid strenuous activities or activities that require you to strain your face muscles until your surgeon has cleared you for them.

ActionDetails
Follow Post-Surgery InstructionsFollow your surgeon’s instructions for post-surgery care.
Use Cold Compresses to Reduce Swelling and BruisingApply cold compresses several times per day.
Avoid Sun ExposureWear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher if you go outside.
Get Plenty of Rest and SleepAim for 8 hours of sleep per night.

Skin Care Regimen After a Facelift

Having a facelift surgery is an exciting time, as it can provide you with a more youthful and refreshed appearance. However, it is important to follow the proper post-surgery instructions in order to ensure that your skin heals properly and looks its best. After your facelift, your skin will be more sensitive than usual, so it is important to take extra care of it and follow a specialized skin care regimen. This article will provide an overview of the steps you should take to care for your skin after a facelift.

Cleanse Gently and Regularly

It is important to keep your skin clean after surgery to prevent infection and encourage healing. You should use a gentle cleanser twice daily, such as one formulated for sensitive skin or one recommended by your surgeon. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the skin too hard, as this can irritate the delicate area around the incision site. Additionally, avoid using any harsh products such as astringents or exfoliants for at least several weeks after surgery.

Moisturize Regularly

Using a moisturizer regularly is essential for keeping your skin hydrated and healthy after a facelift. Choose an oil-free moisturizer that is specifically designed for sensitive skin, as this will be much gentler on your face than regular moisturizers. Apply the moisturizer twice daily, once in the morning and once at night before bedtime. This will help keep your skin looking fresh and supple while also helping to reduce inflammation and redness in the area around the incision site.

Use Sunscreen Daily

Sun exposure can be particularly damaging to your skin after a facelift, so it is important to use sunscreen every day even when you are not planning on spending much time outdoors. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that is specifically designed for sensitive or post-operative skin. Apply the sunscreen liberally all over your face before going outside, and reapply every two hours or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating heavily.

Avoid Touching or Rubbing Skin After Surgery

It is important not to touch or rub your face too much after having a facelift, as this can cause irritation to the incision sites and slow down healing time. If you need to apply any topical treatments such as creams or lotions, make sure to do so gently without rubbing too hard on the area around the incision sites. Additionally, avoid sleeping on your face as this can cause excessive pressure on the area around the incision sites which can lead to slower healing times and increased discomfort during recovery.

Avoid Exfoliating Products or Treatments for Several Weeks

Exfoliation can be particularly damaging to delicate post-operative skin, so it is important to avoid any exfoliating products or treatments for at least several weeks after surgery until your surgeon has cleared you for them. This includes chemical peels, microdermabrasion treatments, and any other treatments that involve exfoliation of the skin’s surface layers.

Take Care with Makeup and Hair Products

Makeup and hair products can contain harsh chemicals that can irritate post-operative skin, so it is important to take extra care when applying these products near your face after surgery. Make sure to choose makeup and hair products that are specifically designed for sensitive skin, and avoid applying them directly onto any open wounds or incision sites until they have healed completely according to your surgeon’s instructions.

Consider Professional Treatments as Recommended by Your Surgeon

Your surgeon may recommend certain professional treatments such as laser resurfacing or light therapy in order to help improve healing time and reduce scarring from facial surgery procedures like facelifts. These treatments can be very beneficial in helping you achieve optimal results from your facelift surgery; however, they should only be done under close supervision from a qualified medical professional such as your surgeon in order to ensure safety and effectiveness of treatment results.

See Your Surgeon for Follow-Up Appointments As Scheduled

It is important to follow up with your surgeon regularly during recovery in order to monitor healing progress and address any concerns you may have about caring for your post-operative skin properly. During these appointments,your surgeon will assess how well you are healing, provide additional instructions,and answer any questions you may have about caring for your skin after surgery. Following these instructions closely will help ensure that you achieve optimal results from your facelift procedure.                                                

StepDescription
Cleanse Gently and RegularlyUse gentle cleanser twice daily.
Moisturize RegularlyUse an oil-free moisturizer twice daily.
Use Sunscreen DailyLook for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Avoid Touching or Rubbing Skin After SurgeryGently apply topical treatments without rubbing.
Avoid Exfoliating Products or Treatments for Several WeeksExfoliation can be damaging to post-operative skin.
Take Care with Makeup and Hair ProductsChoose makeup and hair products specifically designed for sensitive skin.
Consider Professional Treatments as Recommended by Your SurgeonYour surgeon may recommend certain professional treatments.
See Your Surgeon for Follow-Up Appointments As ScheduledFollow up with your surgeon regularly to monitor healing progress.

At Chicago Liposuction by Lift Body Center, we understand the importance of taking proper care of your skin after a facelift. In order to ensure the best possible results, it is important to follow all pre- and post-surgery instructions provided by your surgeon. Additionally, you should follow a gentle skin care regimen that includes cleansing and moisturizing regularly, using sunscreen daily, avoiding exfoliating products or treatments for several weeks, and taking care with makeup and hair products. If you have any questions about caring for your skin after a facelift, please do not hesitate to contact us at Chicago Liposuction by Lift Body Center in Schaumburg, IL.