Modern facelift surgery focuses on restoring deeper facial support structures and preserving those results through thoughtful postoperative care and long-term skin health. While a facelift can meaningfully reset the clock, the aging process continues, making strategy just as important as surgery itself.
Dr. Mark Fisher is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with specialized fellowship training in craniofacial plastic surgery. With a strong background in complex facial anatomy and an academic position as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, he approaches the longevity of facelifts as a combination of structural, biological, and lifestyle factors.
In this blog, we’ll cover popular techniques, factors affecting facelift longevity, and how Dr. Fisher brings it all together to achieve the best possible results.
Surgical Technique Sets the Foundation For Lasting Results
The longevity of a facelift largely depends on how the surgery is performed. For example:
- Most visible facial aging comes from changes beneath the skin, where deeper tissues gradually lose volume and support and shift downward over time
- When these underlying structures are properly addressed, facelift results tend to look more natural and hold up better as the years pass
Modern techniques, such as the deep plane facelift, focus on lifting and repositioning deeper layers of the face rather than just tightening the skin. By releasing natural attachment points, the cheeks, jawline, and neck can be effectively restored.
This approach supports longer-lasting results because it:
- Repositions facial structures where aging actually occurs
- Restores natural contours of the cheeks, jawline, and neck
- Avoids excess skin tension that can lead to an unnatural appearance
- Allows results to age more smoothly and predictably over time
Facelifts built on structural support rather than surface tightening alone are better equipped to maintain their refinement, even as the natural aging process continues.
Sun Protection is the Single Most Important Longevity Habit
Sun exposure has a significant impact on the rate at which the face shows signs of aging. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can break down collagen, increase inflammation, and gradually weaken the skin's structure. For facelift patients, consistent sun protection helps:
- Preserve collagen and skin elasticity
- Limit ongoing sun-related skin damage
- Maintain smoother texture and more even tone
- Support long-lasting, refined results
When you’ve invested in a facelift, protecting your skin from the sun becomes one of the simplest—and most effective—ways to help your results last. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day (AAD – Sunscreen FAQs).
Skin Maintenance Completes The Equation
While a facelift is designed to restore facial contour and address skin laxity, it does not correct every visible sign of aging. Concerns such as sun damage, uneven pigmentation, and fine texture changes occur at the skin’s surface and are not treated by surgery alone. However, they are often addressed with laser resurfacing at the same time as surgery.
A thoughtful post-facelift skin routine can help:
- Improve overall skin texture and tone
- Address sun-related damage and discoloration
- Support collagen renewal over time
- Preserve the refined appearance achieved with surgery
Long-Lasting Facelift Results Are Not Accidental
They are the product of three essential principles working together:
- A modern, structural surgical approach, grounded in a deep understanding of facial anatomy and supported by advanced training in craniofacial and reconstructive surgery
- Protection of skin biology, particularly through diligent sun protection and healthy lifestyle habits that preserve collagen and skin integrity
- A long-term strategy, including attentive recovery guidance and ongoing skin care to support results as the face continues to age
This comprehensive approach reflects Dr. Mark Fisher's method of facial rejuvenation. Schedule your consultation today to discuss intentional strategies for achieving long-lasting, natural-looking results.
