Face & Neck Lift Aftercare
Detailed aftercare for facelift and necklift, including bandage care, elevated sleeping, and swelling timeline.
When to get help — your traffic light guide
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have:
These can be life-threatening. Do not wait to call the hospital first.
- •Sudden severe swelling on one side of face/neck
- •Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- •Heavy bleeding that won't stop
- •Severe chest pain or shortness of breath (possible blood clot)
- •High temperature (over 38°C) with confusion or unusual drowsiness
Contact us now — do not wait — if you have:
- •High fever (over 38°C) with severe pain
Office hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm): 0131 376 3785
Evenings and weekends during your early recovery: Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line 07405322689 — our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services.
After your early recovery period: call the hospital in office hours, or NHS 24 on 111.
Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line.
Tell us at your next appointment:
Anything else that is niggling or worrying you — no concern is too small. Mention it at your next appointment, or call us during office hours.
Emergency Contacts
Life-threatening emergency
999Urgent medical advice
NHS 24: 111
Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line
For the first days after your surgery only
07405322689Our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services. Waterfront is a day surgery hospital and is closed overnight. Once your early recovery period is over, please call the hospital during office hours instead. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.
Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line.
| Contact Type | Contact |
|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | 999 |
| Urgent medical advice | NHS 24: 111 |
| Hospital Office Hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) | 0131 376 3785 |
| Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line (for the first days after your surgery only) | 07405322689 Our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services. Waterfront is a day surgery hospital and is closed overnight. Once your early recovery period is over, please call the hospital during office hours instead. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999. Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line. |
| hello@waterfronthospital.co.uk |
Reviewed 4 July 2026 · v1.0
Your information leaflets
Related Information Leaflets
These are separate information leaflets about the procedure itself — not the aftercare instructions below.
Before You Go Home
Before you leave, the nurse looking after you will make sure you have everything you need, including:
- Bandage secure and kept dry
- Head-raised sleeping setup if comfortable (extra pillows or a recliner)
- Your painkillers — the nurse looking after you will go through them with you
- Follow‑up appointment scheduled
- Plan for sun protection on scars
Recovery Timeline
What's Normal
- •Swelling and bruising around face/neck
- •Tightness or numbness
- •Drainage from small tubes (if used)
Your Care Routine
- •Keep bandages in place and dry
- •Sleeping with the head raised is comfortable for most people at this stage
- •Cool (not iced) compresses can be helpful in the first 48 hours — nothing icy on numb skin
- •Short walks; avoid bending/straining
Pain Management
- •Regular painkillers; avoid aspirin unless prescribed
What's Normal
- •Bruising peak then starts improving
- •Tightness reduces
Your Care Routine
- •First clinic review for bandage/suture removal
- •Gentle face/neck hygiene as instructed
- •Sleep with the head raised if you find it comfortable
Pain Management
- •Lighter analgesia as needed
Follow-Up Appointments
Week 1 — nurse appointment
Wound check, dressing care and any suture removal; a chance to ask questions about your recovery.
Further nurse reviews — as needed
You are likely to have further nurse reviews — wound healing after this procedure often benefits from more than one visit. The nurses will arrange these with you and will discharge you from nurse-led care once they are happy your wounds have healed.
Around 6 months — surgeon review (final follow-up)
Your surgeon will usually see you at around 6 months to assess your final result. Your surgeon is always available to review you sooner if required, and in some circumstances may wish to see you before your final follow-up.
Note: Your appointment schedule may vary. Always follow the specific dates and times given in your appointment card. Contact us if you need to reschedule.
Source: hospital aftercare leaflet · Last reviewed: 4 July 2026 · Version 1.0
Your emotional recovery
How you feel matters too
An emotional dip in the first weeks after surgery is common and usually passes. We've written honestly about what to expect, what helps, and where to find support.
Post-Operative Checklist
- Bandages in place and kept dry
- Cool (not iced) compresses can be helpful in the first 48 hours — never apply ice directly to numb skin
- Many patients find it comfortable to sleep with the head raised (extra pillows or a recliner) for the first week or two — it helps swelling settle and keeps pressure off the incisions
- Follow‑up appointment card received
- Make sure you have your painkillers — the nurse looking after you will go through them with you
- Emergency numbers saved
Wound Care Instructions
- Your bandage is changed to a lighter one the day after surgery (or before discharge if you go home the same day)
- You can remove the lighter bandage yourself after 48 hours
- Once the lighter bandage is off (around day 2–3), apply the chloramphenicol ointment you have been given along the suture lines as directed
- If you did NOT have eyelid surgery at the same time: once the bandage is off you can shower and wash your hair and the suture lines with a mild shampoo
- If you had eyelid surgery too: keep the eye area dry until the first sutures are removed (around 1 week) — otherwise the steristrips may come off
- No makeup on incisions until cleared
Pain Management
- Regular painkillers first few days
- Cool compresses can be helpful in the first 48 hours. The skin is numb after a facelift, so never apply ice directly to it — you won't feel if it's too cold
Activity Restrictions
- Avoid bending/straining first week
- Light walks only
- No strenuous exercise 2–3 weeks
FAQs
When can I wash my hair?
Once you have removed the lighter bandage yourself (after 48 hours), you can shower and wash your hair and the suture lines with a mild shampoo. If you had eyelid surgery at the same time, keep the eye area dry until the first sutures are removed (around 1 week).
When can I wear makeup?
On unaffected areas of the face, as soon as you feel ready. Over the incisions, wait until they are checked at your clinic review and the sutures are out — typically around 2 weeks.
Is numbness of my cheeks and neck normal?
Yes. Areas of the face and neck are usually numb after a facelift and sensation returns gradually over weeks to months. Because of this numbness, never apply ice directly to the skin.
When will I feel comfortable being seen socially?
Most bruising has faded by around 2 weeks and many patients feel comfortable in company then, sometimes with light makeup. Swelling continues to refine for 2–3 months.
Download Guide
Download Face & Neck Lift PDFPDF, 46 KB
Need Help?
Emergency Contact
Life-threatening emergencies:
999After-Hours Advice Line (Post-Surgery Patients Only):
07405322689For advice only. Day surgery hospital - closed overnight. For emergencies, call 999.
General inquiries:
0131 376 3785For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 immediately. For urgent medical advice, call NHS 24 on 111.