Healing time is longer and scarring is much more noticeable with smokers. Smoking has an adverse effect, because nicotine constricts the blood vessels, decreases blood flow to tissues, and greatly increases the chance of scarring and overall poor healing. In fact, cigarette smoking has been found to be a major cause of complications in people who have facelifts. Incisions are made on either side of the face from inside the hairline at the temples, in front of the ear, around the earlobe, in the crease behind the ear and to the lower scalp. The design of these incisions may vary from patient to patient and according to the surgeon's personal technique.
Loose skin is pulled up and backward, and the excess is removed.
A layer of tissue over the facial muscles can be tightened as well, and this can greatly enhance the results of the facelift, especially on the neck. While the first several days after surgery may leave you feeling more tired than usual, you can probably be back at work within ten days to two weeks. Special camouflaging make- up can be used to hide bruises that haven't healed completely. By the third week, you should be looking and feeling much, much better. Healing is gradual, so expect to wait several weeks to months before optimum results are achieved.