Recovery guide · day-by-day
Facelift recovery: week by week
Facelift recovery is visible (bruising and swelling around face and neck for 2-3 weeks) but not particularly painful. Most patients return to public-facing work at 3-4 weeks. Final result settles at 6 months; subtle improvements continue to 12 months.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Facelift recovery is visible (bruising and swelling around face and neck for 2-3 weeks) but not particularly painful.
- ✓Return to desk work: Day 7-10. Return to office: Week 3.
- ✓Most exercise restrictions lift by week 6-12 depending on activity.
- ✓Always follow your specific surgeon’s discharge protocol over general guidance. Recovery times vary by patient.
Day-by-day
Full facelift recovery timeline
Day 0 (surgery day)
What happens
- 3-5 hour general anaesthetic
- Compression bandage applied around head and neck
- Drains placed (1-2)
- Overnight stay or day stay depending on surgeon
Do
- Sleep on back, head elevated 30-45 degrees
- Ice forehead and cheeks gently
- Take prescription pain relief on schedule
Do not
- Bend forward
- Strain or lift anything
- Sleep on side or stomach
Call surgeon if
- Sudden swelling on one side (possible hematoma - bleeding)
- Severe one-sided pain
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Day 1-3
What happens
- Swelling and bruising peak at 48-72 hours
- Bruising spreads down neck and to chest
- Drains removed at day 1-2
- Compression bandage replaced with lighter dressing
Do
- Continue elevated sleeping
- Cold compresses
- Eat soft foods (chewing uncomfortable)
- Walk slowly around the house
Do not
- Bend over (forward head positions cause bleeding)
- Hot showers (heat increases swelling)
- Read for long periods (eye strain)
Call surgeon if
- Sudden new swelling on one side after day 1 (hematoma - urgent)
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Day 4-7
What happens
- Pain typically mild now
- Bruising fades from purple to yellow
- Stitches removed at 5-10 days
- Most patients can do gentle desk work from home with camera off
Do
- Hair washing OK with help
- Continue elevated sleeping for week 2
- Gentle facial movements
Do not
- Strenuous activity
- Bending
- Hot showers
Call surgeon if
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Week 2-3
What happens
- Bruising 80% resolved by end of week 3
- Swelling reduces 50-60%
- Numbness in front of ears and along jawline
- Most return to office at week 3
Do
- Light makeup can cover residual bruising from day 10
- Resume walking longer distances
- Sleep slightly elevated still
Do not
- Run
- Vigorous exercise
- Massage face aggressively
Call surgeon if
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Week 3-4
What happens
- Bruising mostly resolved
- Subtle swelling persists
- Most return to social activity
- Light cardio resumes
Do
- Resume gentle cardio (walking, stationary bike)
- Use sunscreen religiously on scars
Do not
- Yoga inversions, lifting weights over 5kg
Call surgeon if
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Week 4-6
What happens
- Almost all swelling resolved
- Most return to public-facing roles
- Strength training resumes
- Sensation slowly returning to numb areas
Do
- Resume gym
- Light yoga (no inversions)
- Continue scar care
Do not
- Heavy lifting until week 6
Call surgeon if
- Persistent significant swelling on one side
Month 2-3
What happens
- All daily activity normal
- Subtle residual swelling can persist
- Numbness in front of ears typically resolving
Do
- Resume all sport including contact sport from month 3
- Continue scar sunscreen
Do not
- Forget scar care - first 6 months matters most for scar maturation
Call surgeon if
- Persistent numbness or asymmetry of smile (raises possibility of nerve issue)
Month 3-6
What happens
- Final result becoming visible
- Scars fading from red to pink
- All sensation typically returned by 6 months
Do
- 6-month review with surgeon
- Continue sunscreen on scars
Do not
- Sun exposure on healing scars (causes hyperpigmentation)
Call surgeon if
- Final result concerns - discuss at 6-month review
Month 6-12
What happens
- Scars matured to silvery white
- Final shape and feel settled
- Subtle improvements continue through 12 months
Do
- 12-month review
- Maintain healthy weight (significant weight changes affect facial volume)
Do not
- Pursue too many additional procedures too soon (let one settle before adding next)
Call surgeon if
- New lumps, asymmetry, or sensation changes
Common questions
Facelift recovery - common questions
How long is the bruising visible after a facelift?
Bruising fades from purple at day 3 to yellow at day 10 to fully resolved by week 3. Makeup can cover residual bruising from day 10-14. Most patients return to public-facing work at week 3-4. Some patients have minimal bruising; smokers, blood thinners users, and aspirin users typically have more pronounced bruising.
How long is the numbness around my ears and jawline?
Numbness is normal for 3-6 months and gradually resolves as sensory nerves regenerate. Some areas (immediately in front of ears, along jawline) can have permanently slightly reduced sensation. This is rarely bothersome long-term. Full sensation usually returns by 6-12 months.
When can I have my hair coloured?
Most surgeons say wait 4-6 weeks before colouring or chemical treatment. The hair-bearing scalp incision needs to fully heal before chemical exposure. Highlights using foils (no contact with scalp) can resume earlier (3-4 weeks). Always check with your specific surgeon.
How long do facelift results last?
A well-performed SMAS or deep plane facelift maintains a meaningful improvement for 7-12 years before noticeable re-descent. The aging process continues but starts from a younger baseline. Some patients seek a touch-up or secondary facelift at 10-15 years; others are satisfied long-term.
When can I see the final result?
Most swelling resolves by 3 months. Subtle residual swelling and final settlement continue to 6 months. Subtle improvements (skin re-draping, scar maturation) continue to 12 months. The 6-month mark is when most patients describe their result as final.
General guidance only. Recovery times vary by patient. Your specific surgeon’s discharge protocol always supersedes general guidance. Sources: ASPS patient guidance, AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard 2023, standard plastic surgery textbook protocols. Last updated 17 May 2026.