After a facelift, multiple steps can be followed to help the healing process – and some activities should ideally be avoided.
While a facial massage might seem like a good idea to gently encourage circulation or reduce swelling, some factors need to be taken into account first.
The facial tissue will still be sensitive and healing for weeks after the procedure, so knowing when a facial massage would be helpful and when it should be avoided is important.
In this blog, we’ll discuss what you should know about facial massage after facelift surgery, including when you can start, what techniques are usually recommended, and why timing matters.
Why facial massages may be helpful after facelift surgery
Massages are widely known to support post-surgical healing in various areas of the body.
When they are performed at the right time and in the right way, they can help to gently support lymphatic drainage, which in turn may help with swelling and general post-operative congestion in the tissues.
For certain procedures, this type of massage is recommended quite early on, but a facelift may require some time before using massage techniques.
When it might be appropriate to start performing facial massages
The timing around when it’s okay to start a facial massage after a facelift will vary depending on the technique that was used during your surgery, how well you’re healing, and the advice you’ve been given. In most cases, facial massage isn’t introduced until at least a few weeks after surgery.
Straight after surgery, your focus should be on rest and avoiding anything that might disturb the healing process. This includes applying pressure to the face, stretching the skin, or using any at-home massage tools.
Even if swelling feels uncomfortable, it’s important that you don’t try to manually drain it or encourage it to shift. The lymphatic system will start functioning normally again on its own, and your surgeon will let you know if any extra support is needed as you go.
As your body starts to heal, your surgeon may let you know that a facial massage could be introduced. If so, they will usually advise on what type of massage technique is appropriate, how much pressure to use, and how often it can performed.
What kind of massage is typically recommended
If a facial massage is going to be introduced during the healing period after a facelift, it’s usually done in a very gentle, superficial way.
Lymphatic drainage is the most common approach. It involves light, repetitive motions that help to move fluid toward the lymph nodes without compressing or pulling at the skin. This technique is often described as more of a gentle brushing or gliding motion, rather than what you’d expect from a typical deep-tissue massage.
Manual lymphatic drainage should only be performed when the facial tissue has healed enough to handle the technique. Even then, it should be done very carefully, and usually under the guidance of someone who knows how to work with post-surgical tissue.
It’s also not something that should be performed every day. Spacing out the sessions gives your body time to respond naturally and avoids irritating the skin.
Other types of massage that involve firmer pressure, kneading, or stretching should generally be avoided until you’ve been fully cleared to resume normal facial activity.
Areas that may be more sensitive after facelift surgery
After a facelift, it’s common that not every part of your face will heal at the same pace, and some areas may remain sensitive longer than others.
The jawline, behind the ears, under the chin, and around the neck can often feel more tender for a longer period, depending on how extensive your facelift was.
With this in mind, facial massage techniques should generally be adjusted depending on the area. For example, what might be tolerable across the cheeks may not be suitable for the lower face.
Your surgeon will have the clearest idea of how your face is healing and whether any areas should be avoided completely during massage. It’s important that you follow their specific advice rather than applying general massage techniques that may not take into account the unique details of your surgery.
Signs to stop performing facial massage techniques
If you’re using facial massages, any increase in swelling, discomfort, tightness, or a feeling of pressure that builds after massage can be a sign that the tissue isn’t quite ready.
You should also avoid facial massages if you’ve developed any complications during healing, such as a haematoma, infection, or unusual swelling that hasn’t yet been assessed. Facial massage can sometimes further irritate these issues, so it’s best to wait and seek advice if you’re unsure.
If the massage ever feels uncomfortable, causes pain, or creates a sensation of pulling, it’s better to stop and wait a bit longer. Healing isn’t linear, and some days your skin may feel more tender than others.
When facial massages may not be necessary
Not everyone will necessarily need to perform facial massage techniques to help the healing process after their facelift.
For many patients, swelling and congestion improve naturally with time. If your recovery is going well and there are no signs of persistent swelling or tightness, your surgeon may not see any need for facial massages at all.
Essentially, it’s always a good idea to get personalised advice from your surgeon during your consultation process and during your check-up appointments.
Schedule a consultation for facelift surgery with Dr Hunt in Sydney
If you are thinking about undergoing facelift surgery, we recommend choosing a surgeon who will be able to provide individualised advice from the preparation stage to the recovery process. When it comes to any procedure, it can be helpful to speak with a surgeon who takes a personalised approach to your healing.
When you have your consultation with Dr Hunt, you will be able to ask any questions you have about the facelift recovery process, including whether or not using facial massage techniques would be helpful.
To arrange your consultation in Sydney, please get in touch with our team.