A facelift addresses visible signs of ageing on the face and neck. A youthful appearance is restored by reducing sagging skin and smoothing deep folds and jowls. The procedure repositions facial muscles and tissues while removing excess skin to create natural-looking results that can take years off your appearance without changing your fundamental identity. The modern Facelift has evolved significantly from earlier techniques, with surgeons now focusing on more profound structural changes rather than simply pulling skin tight. This advancement allows for more natural results that avoid the windswept look associated with older methods. Today’s procedures are customised to each patient’s unique facial structure and ageing patterns, ensuring outcomes complementing individual features.
Today’s facelift techniques vary widely depending on patient needs and surgeon expertise. The SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) technique addresses deeper facial structures, repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues for more natural, long-lasting results. Deep plane facelifts take this approach further by lifting facial tissues as a single unit, which is particularly beneficial for those with more pronounced ageing. Mini-facelifts offer shorter recovery times and smaller incisions for younger patients showing signs of ageing. Each technique requires precise surgical skill to ensure natural contours that avoid the older methods’ tight, pulled appearance.
Recovery roadmap
- Days 1-3 – Initial swelling and bruising peak, with prescription pain medication typically needed for comfort
- 2 Days 4-7 – Bruising begins to fade, and many patients transition to over-the-counter pain relievers as discomfort diminishes
- Weeks 2-3 – Most visible bruising subsides, allowing return to social activities, though some residual swelling remains
- Week 4 – Most patients return to complete everyday activities, including more strenuous exercise
- Months 2-3 – Final results become apparent as all swelling resolves and tissues settle into their new positions
Age questions
The perfect age for a facelift varies widely depending on individual factors rather than chronological age alone. Despite genetic predisposition, some people still maintain youthful contours into their 60s. Skin quality and elasticity often matter more than age, as procedures yield better results when skin retains some natural elasticity. Sun exposure history significantly impacts ageing patterns, with those having extensive unprotected sun exposure typically experiencing earlier sagging and loss of skin tone. Most surgeons note that patients typically first consider facelifts between 45 and 65, though the trend toward earlier preventative procedures continues to grow.
Timeframe and longevity
- A facelift typically “turns back the clock” by approximately 7-10 years in appearance
- Results generally last between 8-12 years, though ageing continues at its natural pace
- Lifestyle factors, including sun protection, smoking cessation, and skincare, dramatically impact longevity
- Secondary procedures may provide additional benefits after the initial results begin to diminish
- Non-surgical maintenance treatments can extend results through complementary approaches
Facelift procedures frequently pair with complementary treatments to simultaneously address multiple aspects of facial ageing. Eyelid surgery often accompanies facelifts to rejuvenate the eye area, eliminating under-eye bags and droopy lids that a facelift alone cannot correct. Fat grafting adds volume to hollow areas like cheeks and temples, restoring youthful fullness that diminishes with age. Skin resurfacing treatments address surface issues, including fine lines, sun damage, and texture irregularities that persist after lifting procedures. This multi-faceted approach ensures comprehensive rejuvenation, addressing structural changes and surface-level concerns for harmonious, natural-looking results.