Facelift Risks and Complications: What Every Patient Should Know (and How to Minimize Them)

Dr. Shervin Naderi, who has dedicated more than 20 years of surgical practice entirely to facial cosmetic surgery, believes patient safety starts long before surgery day:

“The safest facelift is one that is carefully planned. Every patient has different anatomy, different medical considerations, and different goals. Taking the time to evaluate those factors before surgery is one of the most important parts of achieving an excellent outcome.”

Dr. Naderi is known for careful surgical technique, individual planning and natural-looking results. His patients come from Reston, McLean, Great Falls, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac and Washington, DC, and many travel from other parts of the country because his practice is devoted to facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Naderi was recognized by Washingtonian as a top doctor in plastic surgery and by Newsweek as one of the best in the nation for facelift surgery and rhinoplasty.

Fortunately, serious complications after facelift surgery are uncommon, especially when patients are carefully selected and surgery is performed by a qualified facial plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility.

Understanding the Difference Between Side Effects and Complications

One of the most common misconceptions is confusing normal healing with a complication.

Many changes that occur after surgery are expected and temporary.

These include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Temporary tightness
• Mild numbness
• Temporary firmness beneath the skin
• Mild asymmetry during healing

These are normal parts of recovery and generally improve as healing progresses.

A true complication is an unexpected medical issue that requires additional treatment or closer monitoring.

Understanding this distinction helps reduce unnecessary anxiety during recovery.

Potential Risks of Facelift Surgery

Although uncommon, patients should understand the possible complications associated with facelift surgery.

Hematoma (Bleeding Beneath the Skin)

A hematoma is a collection of blood beneath the skin that can occur shortly after surgery.

It is one of the more common early complications following facelift surgery, but it remains relatively uncommon overall.

Symptoms may include:

• Rapid swelling on one side of the face
• Increasing pressure
• Significant discomfort
• Firmness beneath the skin

When recognized promptly, a hematoma can typically be treated effectively.

To reduce this risk, surgeons carefully control bleeding during surgery and provide detailed postoperative instructions regarding activity restrictions and blood pressure management.

Infection

Facelift surgery has a relatively low rate of infection because the face has an excellent blood supply.

Nevertheless, infection remains a possibility after any surgical procedure.

Patients are instructed to monitor for:

• Increasing redness
• Warmth around the incision
• Drainage
• Fever
• Increasing pain rather than gradual improvement

Following wound care instructions carefully is one of the best ways to reduce this risk.

Temporary Numbness

Changes in skin sensation are extremely common after facelift surgery.

Patients may notice areas of:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Increased sensitivity
• Itching during healing

These changes usually improve gradually over several weeks or months as nerves recover.

Facial Nerve Injury

Dr. Naderi explains:

“Understanding facial anatomy is fundamental to every facelift. Precision, careful tissue handling, and respect for the facial nerve are critical components of safe surgery.”

Scarring

Every facelift requires incisions.

Fortunately, facelift incisions are carefully designed to follow natural contours around the ears and hairline whenever possible.

During the healing process:

• Scars initially appear pink.
• They gradually soften and fade.
• Most become difficult to notice once fully matured.

Scar quality is influenced by:

• Surgical technique
• Genetics
• Skin type
• Sun protection
• Following postoperative instructions

Most patients find that the trade-off between discreet scars and a more youthful facial appearance is well worthwhile.

Delayed Wound Healing

Some patients heal more slowly than others.

Factors that increase the likelihood of delayed healing include:

• Smoking or nicotine use
• Diabetes
• Poor nutrition
• Certain medications
• Significant sun damage

One reason Dr. Naderi places such emphasis on careful patient preparation is that optimizing health before surgery can significantly improve healing.

How Dr. Naderi Works to Minimize Risk

No surgeon can promise a complication-free procedure. However, experienced facial plastic surgeons take numerous steps to reduce risk before, during, and after surgery.

Comprehensive Consultation

Every successful facelift begins with careful evaluation.

During consultation, Dr. Naderi assesses:

• Medical history
• Previous facial procedures
• Skin quality
• Facial anatomy
• Healing factors
• Lifestyle habits
• Surgical goals

This lets him plan the surgery around each patient rather than recommending the same operation for everyone.

Careful Patient Selection

One of the most important aspects of patient safety is knowing when not to operate.

Occasionally, patients are advised to:

• Improve certain medical conditions first
• Stop smoking before surgery
• Reach a stable weight
• Consider non-surgical options
• Delay surgery until the timing is more appropriate

Dr. Naderi is never quick to operate, and he will advise against surgery when it is not in a patient’s best interest.

Facelift Before & After

*Results vary from patient to patient

Careful Surgical Technique

Facelift surgery is performed millimeter by millimeter. Steps that make for a smoother recovery and a better long-term result include:

• Protecting delicate structures
• Minimizing unnecessary tissue trauma
• Preserving natural blood supply

Dr. Naderi’s practice has focused on facial plastic surgery for more than 20 years, and he has refined his techniques with both safety and natural-looking results in mind. He performs facelifts in the operating room under general anesthesia; a deep plane facelift takes about four hours, and drains are not usually needed.

Detailed Recovery Instructions

What Patients Can Do to Reduce Their Own Risk

Successful surgery is a partnership between surgeon and patient.

Patients can improve healing by:

• Following all preoperative instructions carefully
• Stopping nicotine use well before surgery if advised
• Maintaining good nutrition and hydration
• Avoiding medications or supplements that increase bleeding unless approved by their physician
• Keeping follow-up appointments
• Reporting unexpected symptoms promptly
• Avoiding strenuous exercise until cleared by their surgeon

These steps sound simple, but they make a real difference in recovery.

The Safest Facelift Is Never the Cheapest Facelift

Because facelift surgery is highly specialized, patients should be cautious about making decisions based primarily on price.

The more important questions are who provides the anesthesia, where the surgery is done, what safety protocols are in place and how follow-up care is handled. For Dr. Naderi’s patients, anesthesia is given by board-certified anesthesiologists who supervise CRNAs.

It also helps to choose a facial plastic surgeon whose practice is focused on the face. That focus matters in the operation itself, and just as much in deciding who is a good candidate, how to plan the surgery and how to manage recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is facelift surgery safe?

For most healthy patients, yes. Serious complications are uncommon when patients are carefully selected and the surgery is performed by an experienced facial plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility. Like any operation it carries some risk, and Dr. Naderi goes over your individual risks at the consultation.

What is the most common complication after a facelift?

A hematoma, a collection of blood under the skin, is one of the more common early complications, although it is still uncommon overall. Rapid swelling on one side of the face, increasing pressure or significant discomfort should be reported right away, because a hematoma that is recognized promptly can usually be treated effectively.

Can a facelift damage the facial nerve?

Temporary weakness in small branches of the facial nerve is uncommon, and permanent facial nerve injury is rare in experienced hands. Because a deep plane facelift is performed in areas where detailed knowledge of facial anatomy is essential, the surgeon’s experience matters a great deal.

How long does numbness last after a facelift?

Numbness, tingling, increased sensitivity and itching are very common after a facelift. These changes usually improve gradually over several weeks or months as the nerves recover.

How can I lower my risk of complications after a facelift?

Stop nicotine well before surgery if advised, avoid medications and supplements that increase bleeding unless your physician approves them, eat well and follow your pre- and postoperative instructions closely. Keep your follow-up appointments, report unexpected symptoms promptly, and avoid strenuous exercise until you are cleared, which for most facelift patients is about a month after surgery.

Confidence Comes From Understanding

Reading about surgical risks can be unsettling, but knowing them helps you make a sound decision.

Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of facelift patients heal uneventfully and are pleased with their results.

The keys to success are:

• Choosing a highly qualified facial plastic surgeon
• Following pre- and postoperative instructions
• Maintaining realistic expectations
• Allowing your body adequate time to heal

As Dr. Naderi reminds his patients:

“Our goal is always the same: perform surgery safely, protect the natural character of the face, and achieve results that look elegant not just a few weeks after surgery, but for many years to come.”

For anyone planning a facelift in Reston, McLean, Great Falls, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Rockville, Washington, DC, and surrounding areas, it is worth understanding both the potential benefits and the possible risks before deciding.

If you’re considering facelift surgery and want to better understand your options, potential risks, and expected results, schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Naderi at our Reston or Chevy Chase office, or start with a virtual consultation.