Lower Face Lift Recovery: A Week-by-Week Guide for Perth Patients

It is completely normal to feel nervous about surgery. Most people considering a lower face lift spend just as much time researching the recovery as they do the procedure itself. Questions like “how long will I need off work?” and “what will I actually look like in the first week?” are among the most common ones patients bring to their consultation with Dr Murray.
This guide is written to give you an honest, practical picture of what recovery looks like, week by week. It is intended to complement the personalised post-operative instructions you will receive from the Absolute Cosmetic team, not replace them. Every patient heals differently, and Dr Glenn Murray (MED0001196978) will tailor your aftercare to suit your individual needs.

What Happens Immediately After Your Lower Face Lift?

The first 24 hours after surgery are all about rest. You will wake from sedation or anaesthesia with a soft compression dressing wrapped around your face and jaw. This dressing supports the tissues, reduces swelling, and helps your new contours settle into place.

Mild drainage from the incision sites is normal in the first day or two. Your head should be kept elevated, even while sleeping, to help manage swelling. Patients often say it feels tight rather than painful. Some bruising is expected, and the lower face and neck area may feel numb or tender.

Surgery at Absolute Cosmetic is performed at our day hospital in Nedlands. Patients go home the same day with a caregiver, written aftercare notes, prescribed pain relief, and a direct number to call if anything comes up overnight.

Lower Face Lift Recovery Timeline

Every recovery is different. The timeline below covers typical milestones, but your own progress may run ahead or behind depending on a range of personal factors.

Stage	Activity Level	What to Expect	What’s OK
Days 1 to 3	Rest at home	Peak swelling and bruising. Compression garment worn full-time. Head elevated.	Short walks around the house only.
Days 4 to 7	Gentle movement at home	Swelling begins to shift. Bruising changes colour. First post-op review.	Move more freely indoors. No work yet.
Weeks 2 to 3	Return to desk work	Most bruising fading. Residual puffiness. Makeup may be used.	Social outings. Desk-based work.
Weeks 4 to 6	Light exercise resumes	Visible bruising largely resolved. Some tightness and numbness remains.	Walking, light activity. Sunscreen essential.
Months 2 to 6	Normal activity	Deeper swelling slowly resolves. Jawline definition improving.	All activities. Result becoming clearer.
6 to 12 Months	Full result	Final, settled outcome. Natural, lifted lower face.	Results typically last 7 to 10 years.

Days 1 to 3: Taking It Easy

The first few days are the most intense in terms of swelling and bruising. Swelling tends to peak around day three and then gradually begin to ease. During this stage your job is simple: rest, keep your head elevated, stay hydrated, and let your body do its work.

Stick to soft foods for the first few days. Keep your compression garment on as directed, and avoid bending down, lifting anything heavy, or any activity that gets your heart rate up.

Days 4 to 7: Your First Post-Op Review

Somewhere in this window you will attend your first post-operative review at the clinic. Depending on the technique used, sutures or small drains may be removed at this visit.

The bruising will begin to change colour, shifting from deeper purples to yellow-green as it fades. Swelling continues to soften, and most patients feel noticeably more comfortable moving around the home. You are still not ready to return to work, but you will likely feel considerably better than you did on day one.

Weeks 2 to 3: Getting Back to Normal Life

This is when many patients make their return to work, provided their role is desk-based or low activity. Any remaining bruising can usually be concealed with makeup at this stage. Light social outings, such as going out for a meal or attending a quiet event, start to feel comfortable.

Keep strenuous activity off the agenda for now. Avoid heavy lifting, bending down, and anything that raises your blood pressure. It is also normal to feel more tired than expected during this stage.

Weeks 4 to 6: Returning to Exercise

Light exercise, including walking, can typically resume from around week four to six, subject to Dr Murray’s approval. Most visible bruising has resolved by this stage, and the tightness in your lower face and neck will continue to ease.

Some numbness around the lower face and neck is normal after surgery. It can take weeks or months to fully settle as the nerves recover. Once incisions have healed, wear sunscreen daily, as fresh scar tissue burns far more easily than regular skin. to

Months 2 to 6: Watching the Result Emerge

This is the slow-burn part of recovery. Swelling gradually clears, your jawline gets sharper, and by the three-month point most people close to you won’t be able to tell you’ve had work done.

Numbness and skin sensitivity continue to improve during this period. Attending your follow-up appointments allows the team to monitor your progress and answer any questions along the way.

6 to 12 Months: Your Final Result

By six months, most patients are looking at their true, settled result. The lower face appears lifted, refined, and natural. Results achieved using the SMAS-based techniques that Dr Murray employs are designed to be long-lasting. Many patients find their results remain evident for seven to ten years or more, depending on lifestyle factors and ongoing sun protection.

Factors That Affect Your Recovery Speed

Healing is personal. Several factors influence how quickly and how well you recover from a lower face lift, including:

Age and skin quality at the time of surgery
Smoking history (smoking significantly impairs circulation and healing)
Overall health and nutrition
How closely you follow your post-operative instructions
The extent of the procedure performed

Dr Murray will discuss your individual circumstances during consultation. If you smoke, you will be asked to stop well in advance of surgery, as this is one of the most significant things you can do to protect your result and reduce complications.

Absolute Cosmetic’s aftercare protocol is designed with recovery in mind. Our accredited day-hospital setting in Nedlands means your procedure is performed to hospital standards, with the support structures in place to give you the best possible start to your healing journey.

When Should You Call the Clinic?

Most of what you experience in recovery is expected and manageable. However, there are some signs that warrant a call to the team:

Increasing pain rather than gradually improving discomfort
Redness, warmth, or discharge from an incision site that seems to be worsening
A new area of significant swelling that appears on one side only
Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
Any symptom that feels sudden, severe, or out of the ordinary

The Absolute Cosmetic team is available to support you throughout your recovery. You are never left without a point of contact, and no concern is too small to raise. Your peace of mind is part of the care.

Why Choose Dr Murray for Your Lower Face Lift in Perth?

Dr Glenn Murray (MED0001196978) is the Medical Director of Absolute Cosmetic and brings over 30 years of experience in aesthetic medicine. Working alongside Director of Nursing Stephanie Murray (NMW0001544535), the practice has earned a reputation as one of Perth’s most trusted and experienced cosmetic medicine teams.

Absolute Cosmetic’s surgical procedures are performed in an accredited day hospital within the Nedlands clinic, providing patients with the safety and standards of a hospital environment combined with a personalised, patient-centred experience.

Dr Murray holds memberships with leading professional bodies, including:

Australian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine (ACCSM)
Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia (CPCA)
International Master Course on Ageing Skin (IMCAS)
European Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (ECAMS)
International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS)

View all memberships and awards: absolutecosmetic.com.au/memberships-and-awards
Dr Murray on RealSelf: realself.com/dr/glenn-murray-nedlands-australia
Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation at our Nedlands clinic.

Lower Face Lift: Frequently Asked Questions

How long is recovery from a lower face lift?

Expect to take 2 to 3 weeks off work. Light activity picks back up around week 4. Surface bruising and swelling settle within 3 to 6 weeks, with the deeper changes becoming clear over 6 to 12 months. SMAS-based facelift results tend to hold for 7 to 10 years.

When can I go back to work after a lower face lift?

Most people in desk-based roles return to work between 10 and 14 days after surgery. If your work is physically demanding, allow 4 to 6 weeks. Dr Murray will advise based on your individual recovery at your post-operative review.

How much bruising and swelling should I expect?

Swelling and bruising peak around days 3 to 4 and begin to improve noticeably by the end of week 2. Some residual swelling in deeper tissues can persist for 3 to 6 months, though this is generally not visible to others after the first few weeks.

Can I exercise after a lower face lift?

Light walking is encouraged from around one week post-surgery. More vigorous exercise, including gym work and any cardio that raises heart rate significantly, should be avoided for at least 4 to 6 weeks, and only resumed with Dr Murray’s clearance.

When will I see my final lower face lift results?

You will notice early changes once the swelling settles, though the final result takes around 6 months to come through. Many patients keep seeing small improvements for up to 12 months post-surgery.

Is lower face lift recovery painful?

Sharp pain is uncommon. In the first few days you are more likely to feel tightness, numbness, or a dull ache. Prescribed medication keeps things manageable, and most people find the experience far less difficult than they expected.

Medical References

Medical disclaimer: This article has been reviewed by Dr Glenn Murray (MED0001196978), Medical Director of Absolute Cosmetic. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary. Always consult a qualified medical practitioner before proceeding with any cosmetic surgical procedure. Absolute Cosmetic complies with AHPRA cosmetic surgery advertising guidelines.