This is LiMO Plastic Surgery.

If you've recently undergone a facelift or are planning to have one, 
you probably have many questions about the recovery process.

Today, we've compiled answers to the questions our patients ask most frequently after Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift surgery.

Q. What is the best sleeping position after surgery?




Keeping your head elevated above the level of your heart can help reduce swelling after surgery.

Some patients even tell us they slept sitting upright the first night after their procedure.

 


However, since sleeping in a seated position can be quite uncomfortable, 
we recommend using two pillows or a wedge pillow 
to keep your upper body slightly elevated while you sleep.

If you have an adjustable bed that allows you to raise the head section, that's ideal. 
However, a regular bed works perfectly well with proper pillow support.

Q. When can I wash my hair?





About three days after surgery, your incision will have started to heal, 
and you may gently wash your hair.

Since the incision is still closed with sutures, avoid scrubbing the area.
 Instead, let lukewarm running water gently rinse over your scalp.

Because temporary numbness is common after surgery, 
we also recommend drying your hair with cool air rather than hot air, 
and applying the prescribed ointment afterward.

In most cases, washing your hair does not cause any problems, 
so there's no need to worry excessively.

Q. When can I wear makeup after a Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift?




You may begin wearing makeup approximately three days after surgery, 
as long as you avoid the incision sites.

Be careful not to let cosmetics come into contact with the incision line, 
and wash your face gently during the healing period.

Q. My face feels uneven, or my cheekbones look wider. Is this normal?




Many patients notice temporary unevenness in their face 
or feel that their cheekbones appear wider during the early stages of recovery.

A Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift involves lifting both the skin and the underlying SMAS layer, 
so these temporary changes are completely normal during the initial healing phase.


 

For most patients, the major swelling subsides within about three weeks, 
allowing the skin to soften and facial contours to become much smoother and more natural.

In addition, compression garments and swelling around the eyes 
can temporarily make the cheekbones appear more prominent. 
With a Deep Plane Facelift, however, it is very uncommon for the cheekbones 
to actually become wider once the swelling has resolved, 
so there is generally no need to worry.

Q. My face feels very tight, and my facial expressions seem awkward. Is that normal?




A facelift is not simply a procedure that tightens the skin.
 

During surgery, the SMAS layer is carefully lifted and tightened before the excess skin is removed. 
As a result, it's completely normal to experience tightness or stiffness during the early recovery period.

Your facial expressions may initially feel restricted or slightly unnatural, 
but this is a normal part of healing. In most cases, they gradually become softer and more natural 
over the course of three weeks to one month.

Q. How long should I wear the compression garment?




The recommended duration varies slightly between clinics, 
but about one week is generally advised.

Wearing the compression garment during the first week helps minimize swelling and bruising 
while reducing the risk of postoperative bleeding.

However, wearing it for too long may interfere with normal blood circulation.

At LiMO Plastic Surgery Clinic, we typically recommend:

Approximately 1 week after a Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift alone.

Approximately 2 weeks if a Platysmaplasty (Platysma muscles binding for double chin/Turkey neck) 
was performed together with the Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift.

The most important guideline is to follow the specific instructions provided by your surgeon.

 

Q. When can I exercise after a Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift?




Light activities such as walking, jogging, or easy running 
can usually be resumed about two weeks after surgery.

However, more strenuous exercises - including swimming, gym workouts, or Pilates
 should generally be postponed until at least one month after surgery.



Weight training deserves extra caution 
because lifting heavy weights can temporarily increase blood pressure. 
For this reason, we typically recommend waiting six to eight weeks 
before returning to heavy resistance training.

 

Q. Will warm compresses help reduce swelling?




Although warm compresses can help reduce swelling in some situations, 
they are not recommended after facelift surgery.

Because sensation is temporarily reduced after surgery,
 there is an increased risk of burns.

Even low-temperature heat applied for an extended period 
can cause low-temperature burns, and burns after facelift surgery may increase 
the risk of skin contracture and more noticeable scarring.


 

Instead of using warm compresses, gentle walks are a much safer and more effective way 
to support circulation and promote recovery.

 

Q. How should I care for my scars after a Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift?




Sutures are typically removed about two weeks after surgery.

Immediately after suture removal, we recommend applying a regular healing ointment 
for two to three days rather than starting scar cream right away.

This allows the tiny suture marks enough time to heal completely.


 

You can generally begin using a scar gel about one week after suture removal, 
applying a thin layer twice daily.

Using more ointment will not improve the results, so apply only a small amount each time. 
When going outdoors, be sure to use sunscreen as well, 
since protecting healing scars from UV exposure can significantly improve scar healing.


 

We've summarized some of the most frequently asked questions following Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift surgery.

Every patient's recovery is unique, so if you have any concerns or experience anything unexpected 
during your healing process, be sure to consult your surgeon or healthcare provider.

We'll continue sharing helpful and reliable information about plastic surgery in future updates.