It is common in this day and age to use dilute local anesthetic before making an incision. This type of pre-emptive anesthesia reduces post-brow lift discomfort immensely. In general it takes several hours for the effects of the local to wear off. Soreness improves over several days following face lift surgery, and is very well controlled with oral pain medication.
Jacob Gerzenshtein, MD, FACS,
A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
