What are the 5 Telltale Signs of a Good Facelift?

If you’re considering face lift surgery, you may wonder what are the telltale signs of good facelift results. Or, perhaps you’re more intrigued about the signs of a bad facelift? Regardless, this article will explore the difference between good facelift results and not so good facelift results.

Dr Mark Doyle is a Gold Coast specialist plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. He is a specialist in many facial procedures. The primary focus of Dr Doyle’s career has been facial surgery on both men and women.

What Does a “Good Facelift” Mean?

“In my opinion, someone who has had a good facelift’s skin looks firmer and tighter, but is not overdone.” says Dr Doyle.

This, of course, is subjective. Some people may like to have an overdone look, while others may not. Many people prefer that their facelift results to not be obvious. From Dr Doyle’s perspective, the signs of a bad facelift include overdone and overly noticeable results. A good facelift, in Dr Doyle’s opinion, is an organic facelift.

What Are The 5 Signs of a Good Facelift?

What Are Telltale Signs of a Bad Facelift?

A subpar facelift can be spotted with the following cues:

• Visible scars
• Earlobes that are attached to the head
• Overstretched skin
• Limited facial movement
• A firmer face but loose neck

These signs will be explained in detail later in this article.

How to Ensure Facelift Results, Even Before You Make an Appointment

Often, potential plastic surgery patients look around with a surgery price at the front of mind. This can be problematic for a number of reasons. If price is your main concern, you’ll likely be blind to other important factors.

And, a “cheap facelift” will not always produce facelift results (and results are permanent). So, your surgeon is someone you want to pick carefully.

We suggest that, when considering your options, you take your research seriously. This means researching your surgeon’s qualifications (are they a plastic or cosmetic doctor?) and also learning about their experience. A fantastic way to assess their ability is to view their facelift before and after photos.

In these photos, you can look out for the following factors to decide whether the patient has results you would be satisfied with.

Telltale Signs of Good Facelift Results

In order to achieve a facelift result, there are a few key areas your surgeon is taught to concentrate on. These include:

1. The Position of Your Scars

Scarring is the number one identifier for any cosmetic surgery procedure. If you don’t want others to immediately know that you’ve had surgery, hidden scars are important.

Dr Doyle’s advice?

• Facelift scars should be placed in the hairline wherever possible.
• The scars in front of the ears should follow the natural curves of the ear at all times.
• Scars behind the ears should be placed in the hollow where the ears meet the skull.
• The earlobes must also be in the correct position at the end of the procedure and under no tension.

“I see a lot of patients who have had facelift surgery performed elsewhere and the earlobes seem to extend into the neck. This is a very obvious surgery sign even to the untrained eye,” says Dr Doyle. 

“Poorly placed and obvious scars are a telltale sign that you have had a facelift.”

2. Facial Movement Should be Normal 

Facelift results should not restrict facial movement. After surgery, you should be able to smile, squint, and frown as normal. If you have significant restrictions in movement, this is a sign that your facelift was done too tightly or aggressively.

“Injuries to the nerves in the face during a facelift are quite uncommon in the hands of an experienced specialist plastic surgeon,” says Dr Doyle.

“After a facelift, you should be able to move your mouth and create normal facial expressions. If you lack animation in your lower face or forehead it may be very obvious that you have had a facelift.”

Muscle weakness following a facelift may also be permanent. If you experience significant muscle weakness or paralysis, seek medical attention right away.

3. Your Skin is Tight, in the Right Direction 

When you have a facelift, your surgeon will tighten the underlying muscles and tissues. They will also lift loose skin. This will help to give you a more firmer appearance. If everything is done correctly, your skin will be pulled tight in the right direction. This will help to reduce loose jowls and lines.

“When tightening the facial skin, it is important to pull the skin back in the correct direction and the correct degree of tightness. Your skin should feel tight, plump and smooth after your surgery,” says Dr Doyle.

“Tightening of the tissues under the skin is very important to take the tension off the skin when it is healing. This will help you to have finer, less obvious scars. It’s also important to decrease facial lines, but it is normal to have some lines still.

A facelift with overtightened skin, with a face with no fine lines at all, can look very abnormal.”

4. Your Face Should Appear Firmer Following a Facelift 

One of the most obvious telltale signs of good facelift results is that your facial skin is firmer than before the surgery. A facelift can create a firmer facial appearance. It counts as one of the anti aging solutions.

“A good facelift returns facial tissues to their original position. It doesn’t pull them to places they’ve never been,” says Dr Doyle.

“A good facelift should make your skin firmer. After a facelift, your skin should looker firmer, but you shouldn’t look like a different person. Most patients who want a more radical result can look a little strange afterwards.”

– Dr Doyle

It’s important that your expectations are realistic about what facelift surgery can achieve for you. No facial procedure should change your natural features – rather, it should improve them. A good candidate for any facial procedure, whether brow lift, blepharoplasty or facelift, should understand this. Facial surgical techniques are generally performed to reduce signs of ageing and create a firmer and tighter appearance.

5. Your Face and Neck Should Look the Same

One of the telltale signs of good facelift results is that your face and neck look similar. If your facelift is performed properly, the skin on your neck will tighten and the muscle will be pulled back so that your neck looks more proportional to your face. When done adequately, a face and neck lift surgical procedure can reduce signs of ageing – by removing excess, loose skin.

“The face and neck should look the same following the surgery. A young face with an old neck and vice versa can look very strange. For this reason, I recommend that face and neck surgery should be performed in the same procedure,” says Dr Doyle. 

Dr Doyle generally recommends that you undergo a facelift and neck lift, rather than just one or the other. Results from this combination procedure give more consistent results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a facelift last?

You can expect the results of your facelift to last into the future if you maintain a consistent weight. Please note, that facelift surgery will not prevent future aging, however, your face will appear more firmer and tighter than before.

You can also maintain facelift results by keeping healthy, investing in good skincare and maintaining a consistent weight.

Why does it take 6 months for final facelift results to be seen?

We always recommend waiting 6 months to see your final facelift results. This is because facial tissues can remain swollen for many months. Swelling can create the appearance of asymmetry or a ‘not tight enough’ result. Usually, 6 months after your facelift will you be able to see the final results of your facelift procedure.

Book Your Consultation Today

With 30 years of experience behind him, Dr Doyle is a Gold Coast specialist plastic surgeon who specialises in facelift surgery. If you’re considering facelift surgery, call or email us now to book your initial consultation.