Contents
Your recovery at a glance
- Showering
- If you did NOT have eyelid surgery at the same time: once the bandage is off you can shower and wash your hair and the suture lines with a mild shampoo
- Exercise
- No strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
- First review
- Week 1, nurse appointment
- Full recovery
- 2–3 weeks initial recovery; 3–6 months for final refinement
This is a general guide for the average patient. Your own instructions come with your discharge information and in your recovery guide in the Waterfront patient app, and they come first.
Before you leave the hospital
Before you leave, the nurse looking after you will make sure you have everything you need, including:
- Bandage secure and kept dry
- Head-raised sleeping setup if comfortable (extra pillows or a recliner)
- Your painkillers, the nurse looking after you will go through them with you
- Follow‑up appointment scheduled
- Plan for sun protection on scars
Week by week
Days 1–3 Immediate recovery
What is normal
- Swelling and bruising around face/neck
- Tightness or numbness
What to do
- Keep bandages in place and dry
- Sleeping with the head raised is comfortable for most people at this stage
- Cool (not iced) compresses can be helpful in the first 48 hours, nothing icy on numb skin
- Short walks; avoid bending/straining
Week 1 Early healing
What is normal
- Bruising peak then starts improving
- Tightness reduces
What to do
- First clinic review for bandage/suture removal
- Gentle face/neck hygiene as instructed
- Sleep with the head raised if you find it comfortable
Week 2 Visible improvement
What is normal
- Bruising largely resolved
- Swelling improved
What to do
- Scar care with silicone gel/tape
- Light activities; avoid heavy lifting
Weeks 3–4 Activity increase
What is normal
- Facial movement more comfortable
What to do
- Light exercise; avoid high impact
- Sun protection and continued scar care
Months 2–3 Refinement
What is normal
- Contours refined
- Scars maturing
What to do
- Resume normal routine
- Continue SPF on scars
Wound care and scars
- Your bandage is changed to a lighter one the day after surgery (or before discharge if you go home the same day)
- You can remove the lighter bandage yourself after 48 hours
- Once the lighter bandage is off (around day 2–3), apply the chloramphenicol ointment you have been given along the suture lines as directed
- If you did NOT have eyelid surgery at the same time: once the bandage is off you can shower and wash your hair and the suture lines with a mild shampoo
- If you had eyelid surgery too: keep the eye area dry until the first sutures are removed (around 1 week), otherwise the steristrips may come off
- No makeup on incisions until cleared
Comfort and pain relief
- Regular painkillers first few days
- Cool compresses can be helpful in the first 48 hours. The skin is numb after a facelift, so never apply ice directly to it, you won’t feel if it’s too cold
Activity, driving and work
- Avoid bending/straining first week
- Light walks only
- No strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
Follow-up appointments
- Week 1, nurse appointment: Wound check, dressing care and any suture removal; a chance to ask questions about your recovery.
- Further nurse reviews, as needed: You are likely to have further nurse reviews, wound healing after this procedure often benefits from more than one visit. The nurses will arrange these with you and will discharge you from nurse-led care once they are happy your wounds have healed.
- Around 6 months: surgeon review (final follow-up): Your surgeon will usually see you at around 6 months to assess your final result. Your surgeon is always available to review you sooner if required, and in some circumstances may wish to see you before your final follow-up.
Common questions
When can I wash my hair?
Once you have removed the lighter bandage yourself (after 48 hours), you can shower and wash your hair and the suture lines with a mild shampoo. If you had eyelid surgery at the same time, keep the eye area dry until the first sutures are removed (around 1 week).
When can I wear makeup?
On unaffected areas of the face, as soon as you feel ready. Over the incisions, wait until they are checked at your clinic review and the sutures are out, typically around 2 weeks.
Is numbness of my cheeks and neck normal?
Yes. Areas of the face and neck are usually numb after a facelift and sensation returns gradually over weeks to months. Because of this numbness, never apply ice directly to the skin.
When will I feel comfortable being seen socially?
Most bruising has faded by around 2 weeks and many patients feel comfortable in company then, sometimes with light makeup. Swelling continues to refine for 2–3 months.
Your guide in the patient app
Your recovery guide in the Waterfront patient app is the personal, dated version of this page, with your own instructions, your appointments and the hospital’s contact details.
Download the printed leaflet (PDF)
Your discharge information and your recovery guide in the Waterfront patient app tell you who to contact and when. If you have any concerns about your recovery, contact the hospital using the details you were given.