As a plastic surgeon, there is one question that I hear more than any other. It comes after we have discussed goals, examined photos, and planned the details. It is the final, practical question that every patient from the USA, the UK, or anywhere in the world asks me in my Istanbul clinic: "Doctor, how long will my facelift last?"

It is a simple question with a complex answer. My honest, direct answer often surprises my patients.

I tell them: “Forever.”

This is not a marketing promise. It is a simple fact of time. A facelift is a procedure that turns back the clock. It does not stop the clock from ticking. You will continue to age—that is a part of life we cannot change (luckily). But you will be aging from a new, refreshed starting point. The you in 15 years who had a facelift will always look younger and more rested than the you in 15 years who did not.

This is the most important concept to understand. We are not fighting a battle against time; we are simply resetting your position on the timeline. But this leads to many more questions. Let's talk about them, honestly.

So, what do you really mean when you say a facelift can “reset the clock”?

When I perform a facelift, my goal is not just to pull the skin tight. This is the old way of thinking, and it is what creates an unnatural, "wind-tunnel" look that everyone fears. A proper, modern facelift goes deeper. We reposition the underlying muscle and soft tissue structures of the face (what we surgeons call the SMAS layer) back to where they were years ago. The skin is then redraped gently over this newly supported foundation, without tension. And generally we replace the fat which is lost.

What does this achieve? We are not just fixing a surface problem; we are restoring the architecture of the youthful face. When done correctly, this can effectively turn back the clock by 15, sometimes even 20 years.

So when you ask how long it lasts, you can see my point. In 10 years, you will have aged 10 years. But you will look like someone who is 5 years younger than you are today, not 10 years older. The benefit, compared to doing nothing, is permanent. You will always be ahead.

Read my blog post: 'Pixie Ear Deformity After Facelift: Prevention & Correction'

Does the type of facelift surgery affect how long the results last?

This is a very smart question. Patients today are very educated. They read about the "Deep Plane facelift," the "SMAS facelift," the "mini-lift," and they want to know which technique gives the most longevity.

Read my blog post: 'Beyond the Technique: Understanding Modern Face Lift Surgery'

Here is my perspective, from my 12 years of experience and my training in places like Brasil, Thailand and Italy with the masters of this surgery. It is not about one technique being universally "longer lasting" than another. It is about the right technique for you and for your surgeon.

A surgeon who only knows one technique will use it on every patient. But a face is like a fingerprint; each one is unique. The real art of facial rejuvenation surgery is in the assessment. We look at your unique anatomy: your bone structure, your skin quality and elasticity, where you have lost volume, how your muscles have descended.

Based on this assessment, I choose the best plan. For some, a deep plane technique that releases and repositions the deeper ligaments is the answer for a seamless and lasting result. For others specially revision cases, sometimes a SMAS plication or SMASectomy gives a beautiful and durable outcome. The goal is the same: to create a result that is so natural it is undetectable as "surgery," and to secure the facial structures in a way that resists gravity for years to come.

So, the longevity does not come from the name of the technique. It comes from the surgeon's ability to perform the correct technique, for the correct patient, at the highest level of skill. This deep understanding of anatomy, which I have dedicated my career to through international fellowships and cadaver courses, is what truly creates a lasting result.

Watch our patient stories here !

What is my role? What can I do to make my facelift last longer?

This is my favorite question because it is where the surgery becomes a partnership. My work in the operating room is about 50% of the long-term result. The other 50% belongs to you. You are making a significant investment in yourself, and it is wise to protect it.

Here is the honest advice I give to all my patients.

1. Your Aftercare is Not a Suggestion.
The first few weeks after surgery are critical. When I give you instructions on how to sleep, what to eat, how to clean your incisions, and when to rest, it is all for one purpose: to ensure optimal healing. Good healing with minimal swelling and stress on the tissues creates stronger internal scars that will hold your lift for longer. Rushing back to your normal life too soon can compromise the result.

2. The Sun is Your Enemy.
I cannot say this strongly enough. Sun exposure is the number one enemy of youthful skin and a long-lasting facelift. Ultraviolet (UV) rays break down collagen and elastin, the very proteins that keep your skin firm and that we have worked so hard to reposition. A life of dedicated sun protection—using a high-quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day, wearing a hat, seeking shade—is the best insurance policy you can have for your result.

3. Adopt a "Skincare as a Lifestyle" Mentality.
Your surgery corrects the structure, but the quality of your skin on the surface also matters. After you have healed, investing in medical-grade skincare is essential. Ingredients like retinoids (Vitamin A) help to continuously build collagen. Antioxidants like Vitamin C protect against environmental damage. Keeping your skin hydrated and healthy will make your surgical result look better for longer. Think of it as maintaining the beautiful paint on a restored classic car.

4. Live a Stable, Healthy Life.
Your face is part of your body. Large fluctuations in weight can affect your result. Gaining a lot of weight can add heaviness to the face, while losing a lot of weight can lead to new skin laxity. Maintaining a stable, healthy weight is ideal. Furthermore, smoking is terrible for a facelift result. It constricts blood flow, which accelerates the aging process and compromises the health of your skin from the inside out.

5. Understand Your Genetics.
We must be honest here. Genetics play a role. Some people are simply programmed to age more slowly than others. You cannot change your genes, but by controlling the other factors—sun, skincare, lifestyle—you take control of what you can.

Is there a ‘best age’ for a facelift to get the longest result?

Patients often wonder if they should wait until they are older for a more "dramatic" result, or have it done younger to be "preventative."

There is no magic number. The "best age" is when the signs of aging in the mirror bother you, and your skin still has good elasticity. Good elasticity allows the skin to redrape smoothly and helps to hold the lift. Someone in their late 40s or 50s with good skin quality can have a fantastic, long-lasting result. Someone in their 60s or 70s can have a beautiful, transformative result that makes them look and feel revitalized.

The focus should be less on your age and more on the right time for you personally and anatomically. The consultation is where we determine this.

So, will I need another face & neck lift in 15 years?

Maybe, or maybe not. This is a personal decision. After 15 or 20 years, you will still look significantly better than if you had done nothing. But you will have aged. Some patients are so happy with their "reset" clock that they happily embrace the graceful aging process from there.

Others may decide they want a small "tuck-up" or secondary procedure. A secondary facelift is often a less extensive surgery than the first. The foundation we built is still there; we are just refining it.

But the fear of "needing another one" should not stop you. It is not a failure of the first surgery. It is just life. A facelift is not a cure for aging. It is the most effective way to manage it, giving you a decade or two of feeling that the person you see in the mirror is the person you feel like inside.

It's a partnership. I build the foundation, and you maintain the beautiful house that sits on top of it. Together, we can make sure your clock stays reset for a very, very long time.