What's the recovery like for Mini Facelift?
Everything you need to know about Mini Facelift recovery — timeline, tips, what to avoid, and when to call your provider.
Recovery timeline
Bruising and swelling peak. Bandages or drain may be in place for 24 to 48 hours. Head kept elevated. Pain managed with prescription medication.
Bruising transitions from purple to yellow. Swelling noticeably reduces. Sutures typically removed at day 5 to 7.
Most patients presentable to go out with makeup. Return to light work. Some numbness and tightness in treated areas is normal.
Swelling largely resolved. Results becoming clearly visible. Light exercise cleared.
Final results visible. Residual numbness and incision lines continue to improve over 6 to 12 months.
Recovery tips
- Keep your head elevated for the first week to minimize swelling
- Apply cold compresses (not on incision lines directly) to reduce swelling
- Sleep on your back for at least 2 weeks
- Avoid neck twisting, rapid head movements, or anything that strains the incision area
- Use gentle, fragrance-free skincare near incision lines for the first month
What to avoid
- Strenuous exercise for 3 to 4 weeks
- Makeup on incision lines until they are fully healed (7 to 14 days)
- Sun exposure on incision lines for 6 months — use SPF 50+
- Aspirin and NSAIDs for 2 weeks post-op
- Hairdye, perms, or chemical treatments near the incision areas for 4 weeks
When to call your provider
- Sudden severe pain on one side — possible hematoma
- Rapidly increasing swelling on one side versus the other
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Signs of infection: fever, increasing redness, warmth, or discharge
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