Dressings are rarely worn beyond two days, but swelling and bruising may be considerable for two to three weeks. The surgeon will remove the sutures or staples in stages over the first five to ten postoperative days. These complications can lead to irregularities in the skin or scarring. Because the skin is separated from the nerves and muscles which animate the face, you may experience numbness or weakness in moving the eyebrow or corner of the mouth postoperatively. Fortunately, this usually is resolved within two to three weeks, but it occasionally can take several months to subside.
Scars can require nearly a year to complete a cycle of fading and softening.
Those in the scalp can occasionally be more visible due to thinning of the adjacent hair. You may be able to notice scars extending in front of the ear and around the earlobe if you look closely. However, all of these limitations can usually be minimized by using properly selected cosmetics, earrings and hairstyles. Rarely, poorly healed scars require additional measures to improve their appearance. There are some limitations to a face-lift.