How long does a facelift last?
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Short answer
A traditional surgical facelift can produce results that last many years, with studies showing meaningful improvement still visible beyond 5 years. Minimally invasive thread lifts, by contrast, tend to last only about 12 to 16 months before results fade significantly.
What the research shows
The peer-reviewed literature distinguishes clearly between surgical facelifts and thread-based (non-surgical) lifting procedures when it comes to how long results last.
For surgical approaches, a cohort study following patients after an endoscopic brow lift found that a subtle but real elevation was still measurable at an average of 5.4 years after surgery, and 64 percent of patients were still judged to look better than before their operation at that point. [2] An earlier surgical case series also reported meaningful improvements persisting through 1.5 years of follow-up. [5]
For thread lifts, the picture is quite different. A 2018 systematic review concluded that the lifting effect of thread-lift sutures has very limited durability, and that the two studies showing more positive long-term results were sponsored by the companies that make the threads. [1] A smaller cohort study found that barbed suture lifts showed clinical improvement for up to 16 months, with patient satisfaction averaging about 7 out of 10 at roughly 11.5 months post-procedure. [4] A more recent cohort of 50 patients confirmed that poor long-term sustainability remains the biggest drawback of absorbable thread lifts. [3]
What this means for you
If you are considering a surgical facelift, current evidence suggests you can expect results that hold up well for at least 5 years, and often longer, depending on your skin, lifestyle, and the specific technique used. [2] [5]
If you are considering a thread lift as a lower-downtime alternative, it is important to set realistic expectations: most patients see improvement fade within about 12 to 16 months, and independent physician ratings of improvement tend to be more modest than patients' own ratings. [1] [4]
Caveats
The studies available on surgical facelift longevity are mostly observational cohort studies with relatively small numbers of patients, and none of them are randomized controlled trials. [2] [5] Individual results will vary based on your age, skin quality, sun exposure history, genetics, and your surgeon's technique. The research also does not always separate different facelift techniques from one another, so it is hard to say which specific approach lasts longest.
It is also worth knowing that even a surgical facelift does not stop the aging process. Some degree of natural change will continue after surgery.
What to ask your surgeon
Consider asking your surgeon these questions at your consultation:
- Which specific facelift technique do you recommend for me, and what is the expected longevity for that approach?
- How do my skin type, age, and anatomy affect how long my results may last?
- Am I a candidate for a thread lift, and what realistic results should I expect over 1 to 2 years?
- What can I do after surgery, such as sun protection and skin care, to help maintain my results longer?