When Should I Consider Facelift Revision Surgery?

Facelift revision surgery, sometimes casually referred to as a “facelift redo,” is a secondary procedure designed to improve, refine or correct the results of a previous facelift. In some cases, revision is needed to address specific issues from the initial surgery. In others, it’s prompted by changes that occur due to the natural aging process.

Either way, facelift revision surgery isn’t unusual, but there are a few things to consider before deciding if it could be the best solution for you.

Common Reasons People Consider a Facelift Revision

A common reason that patients consider facelift revision surgery is to address concerns from an initial procedure. This may include:

• Areas that didn’t tighten as expected. Some areas of the face or neck may maintain some looseness or laxity despite an otherwise successful facelift.
• Uneven or imbalanced results. Subtle differences between each side of the face may become more apparent once swelling has resolved, especially near the jawline, around the ears or where tension was distributed unevenly during the initial lift.
• Lingering skin laxity along the jawline or neck. These areas are common sources of concern if tightening was incomplete, if the deeper neck structures weren’t fully addressed or if early relaxation occurred during the healing process.
• Persistent neck concerns. Neck banding, loose skin or fullness under the chin may remain after an initial facelift if the deeper neck structures were not fully addressed the first time.
• Scar concerns around the ears or hairline. While facelift scars are designed to be well hidden, some patients seek revision to improve scar thickness, contour irregularities or visibility once the scars have fully matured.
• Changes in skin quality or elasticity. Factors like sun damage, weight fluctuations and natural shifts in skin firmness can affect how facelift results age.
• Gradual effects of natural aging. Over time, changes in the midface, jawline or neck can occur, and some patients may choose to seek revision surgery to restore a smoother appearance.

How Long After a Facelift Should You Wait for Revision?

Dr. Koehler and Dr. Gardner recommend waiting until your initial facelift has fully healed before considering revision. For most patients, this means allowing at least 9 to 12 months.

During this period, swelling continues to resolve and scars mature. What may feel concerning early on often improves with time. Small touch-ups or non-surgical treatments may be appropriate for small concerns, while more involved revisions should be considered later once completely healed.

How to Decide If It’s the Right Time

If you are unsure about whether or not your initial facelift results are finalized and if you are fully healed, the best place to start is to schedule a consultation. During this visit, your cosmetic surgeon can evaluate your initial results, diagnose any underlying concerns and create a personalized revision plan to address your specific concerns and goals. He will also help you decide on a timeline for facelift revision surgery that makes sense for you.

To schedule your revision surgery consultation today, call our Fairhope office at 251-929-7850 or contact us online.