First Facelift vs. Secondary Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

Why Might You Need a Secondary Facelift?

Ultimately, time waits for no one, and the ageing process is a natural part of life. So no matter how well your first initial facelift was performed, at some point you may start considering a secondary facelift.

The Good News Is That Your Second Facelift May Be More Successful Than Your First.

The success of the secondary procedure will ultimately depend upon whether the initial facelift surgery was performed correctly by a skilled and qualified Board Certified plastic surgeon (if not, you may need ‘facelift revision surgery’ or a ‘corrective facelift). But if performed correctly, then secondary facelift procedures are often easier for the surgeon to perform with less down time for the patient — meaning faster healing and you getting back out into the world sooner to enjoy your life.

Additionally, medical science evolves continually with new, improved facial rejuvenation techniques being innovated and introduced each year. In the last 10 years since your first facelift, the science and art of the facelift will have evolved considerably. Additionally, we now have less invasive procedures such as dermal fillersfat transfer, and peri oral rejuvenation amongst other non-surgical techniques that can complement and improve the results of facelift surgery.

When Is the Right Time to Have a Second Facelift?

The answer to this question will largely depend on the individual and the quality of the first facelift. Some people may seek to have another facelift in as little as 5 years, and others may wait up to 15 years.

On average, in the San Francisco Bay Area, most facelift patients will have a second facelift approximately 10 years after the first one. However, this timing may vary depending on your skin’s condition, genetic factors (oily or dry skin), sun exposure, and overall health and wellbeing.

How Long Does the Average Facelift Last?

Natural aging happens to us all so most facelifts have a natural shelf-life of approximately 10 years depending on the quality of the original surgery. If your facelift was performed correctly by a qualified surgeon it should last at least 10 years.

How Is a ‘Secondary’ Facelift Different From ‘Facelift Revision’ or a ‘Corrective Facelift’?

If your initial facelift surgery was performed incorrectly by an unqualified or unskilled surgeon, you may need to have a second facelift much sooner. This is known as ‘facelift revision surgery’ or a ‘corrective facelift’.

Some of the reasons that may necessitate need for a corrective facelift include:

  • “Looking like someone else” syndrome: poorly performed facelifts may result in you not looking like “you
  • Visible scarring, unsightly incisions, and/or infection
  • Thread lift complications: uneven results, migration of sutures, or sutures becoming visible under the skin
  • Older, obsolete facelift techniques (read about latest facelift techniques here)
  • Lack of longevity: early loss of results,
  • Lack of impact: facelift that didn’t effectively “lift” or rejuvenate
  • Contour irregularities: dimpling, dents, distortions, or unwanted ridges
  • Pixie ear deformity: earlobes sewn to face after facelift
  • Poorly performed facelift from a unqualified, or poorly trained surgeon
  • Previous surgeon lacked “artistic eye” causing lack of aesthetic harmony

Read more about facelift revision surgery (corrective facelift) here.

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