What Are the Pros and Cons of a Second Face Lift?

The results of surgical face lifts typically begin to fade after time, and some people may opt to have a second face lift several years later. Both surgical and non-surgical face lifts can make a person appear more youthful and help boost her confidence. A person's second face lift may also be less involved than her first, and since she has recovered from one face lift, she will usually know what to expect during face lift recovery. As with any face lift, however, there is always a risk of complications, including infection and scarring, particularly in older individuals.

A face lift can often make a person appear younger. Some individuals may choose to get face lifts before they even reach middle age. On average, the results of a face lift will usually only last roughly ten years. After that time, a person can then choose to either have a second face lift or let the natural aging process take over.

Face lifts can help correct a number of signs of aging, including sagging skin and wrinkles. One of the biggest reasons that a person would choose to have a second face lift is to look younger and more attractive. This will usually result in a boost in self-esteem and confidence.

During an initial face lift, many of the deeper tissues are corrected. If and when a patient decides to have a second face lift, these deeper tissues will usually need little to no work. Therefore, second face lifts usually require a little less work.

Any face lift, however, comes with the risk of complications. Bruising, swelling, and discomfort are common problems during a surgical face lift recovery. Depending on how extensive a facelift is, recovery time can range from a week to a month. During this time, compression bandages should be worn on the face to help prevent swelling. Pain medication can also be taken to alleviate discomfort.

A second face lift is also performed when a person is older, when her immune system is not as strong as it was in her younger days. This can result in delayed healing time. A weakened immune system can also increase the risk of infection after a face lift. Older face lift patients may also have more health problems that cause complications after plastic surgery. Individuals who take medications to treat high blood pressure, for instance, are typically more at risk of bleeding problems during the procedure.

Scarring is also slightly more common in older face lift patients, since their skin is not as elastic as the skin of younger patients. Plastic surgeons need to be especially careful around older patients' hairlines. Scar tissue in this area can sometimes result in hair loss.