What is a facelift and why is it preferred?
Aesthetic surgical procedures performed to eliminate visible signs of aging on the face and neck are called “facelifts.” Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift involves correcting sagging and irregularities in the forehead, face, and neck skin, removing excess fat tissue from the cheeks and neck, or repositioning it to its anatomically correct location, and reinforcing facial tissues. If necessary, complementary procedures such as skin peeling, fillers, or Botox are also performed in conjunction with a facelift.
Who can have a facelift?
Individuals whose facial and neck skin begins to sag with age are ideal candidates for a facelift. It is crucial that these patients are in good health and have not lost any of their facial elasticity. This aesthetic procedure can generally be applied to all healthy individuals in middle age (30-50 years old) and over 50. The biggest cause of sagging and irregularities in the skin is age-related deformation.
Signs of aging can be listed as follows:
- Sagging of the face due to skin laxity,
- The crease lines that deepen at the corners between the nose and mouth,
- Facial skin thins due to loss of underlying fat,
- The wrinkling that occurs in the cheeks and chin,
- Excessive fat accumulation in the visible parts of the neck.
Factors such as gravity, sun exposure, smoking, stress, and genetics accelerate the signs of aging in individuals.
What should be considered before a facelift surgery?
Nail polish, jewelry, and contact lenses should be removed before surgery. Birth control pills should be discontinued 1-2 weeks prior to surgery. Patients are advised to quit smoking approximately 2-3 weeks before the operation. Blood-thinning medications and herbal teas should be discontinued. Patients should inform their doctor of any medications they need to take during their appointment so that the treatment plan can be adjusted accordingly.
What are the risks of a facelift cosmetic surgery?
Like many surgeries, facelift surgery can cause some complications. While some of these can be corrected quickly with appropriate medication or minor surgical intervention, long-term or permanent complications are rare and may require further surgical correction depending on the nature of the complication. Some post-operative conditions include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Swelling and pressure caused by blood collecting under the skin (hematoma)
- The wound heals into raised red marks.
- Temporary loss of sensation caused by nerve damage.
- Temporary hair loss occurring in incision areas.
These complications are very unlikely to occur if facelift surgeries are performed by surgeons who are expert and experienced in this field.
What is included in a facelift procedure?
Facelift surgeries can be categorized according to the area and method of the procedure as follows:
- Endoscopic Facelift
- Classic Facelift
- Mini facelift
- Mid-Face Lift
- Neck lift
Facelift surgery methods:
The surgical technique to be used is determined according to the patient’s skin type, the condition of the subcutaneous fat tissue, the elasticity of the skin, and the degree of sagging.
Endoscopic Facelift
If a patient doesn’t have excessive skin sagging but has a tired and listless appearance, an endoscopic facelift can provide a more dynamic and youthful look. In this technique, small incisions are made in the scalp, and an endoscope is inserted to lift and tighten areas such as the cheeks and mid-face, including the lower eyelid and cheekbone region. Sagging deep tissues are repositioned. No skin removal is involved in the endoscopic technique. The incisions where the endoscope enters are in the scalp and therefore invisible.
Classic facelift
If there is significant sagging skin in the cheeks, chin, and neck area, along with a noticeable expression of aging and fatigue on the face, a classic facelift is performed to tighten the face. In the classic facelift technique, incisions are made along the lines in front of and behind the ears. The loosened facial muscles and structures that act as supports under the skin are repositioned to their pre-sagging anatomical locations. Then, excess skin tissue is removed. This method is not just about tightening the skin; it also creates a three-dimensional reshaping of the face, including the underlying tissues. Since the incisions are placed along the natural lines in front of and behind the ears, the incision scars become almost invisible in the long term. Facelift surgeries can also eliminate wrinkles around the eyes and sagging eyelids.
Mini facelift
For individuals with a moderate degree of facial aging and sagging skin, a “mini facelift” is performed. In this technique, the incision is made along the natural crease of the ear, not extending behind it. Sagging structures beneath the skin are repositioned to their normal anatomical locations. Skin removal is minimal, and patients recover more quickly.
It is shorter than a comprehensive facelift and is performed to address signs of aging in a specific area of the face (primarily the jawline). Mini facelifts have a shorter surgery time and post-operative recovery period. Mini facelifts can be performed under local anesthesia, sedation anesthesia, or general anesthesia.
Mid-face lift
A mid-face lift refers to procedures performed on the central part of the face, including the lower eyelids, cheekbones, and part of the cheeks. The surgery lifts the soft tissues in this area, eliminating sagging. Mid-face lifts are performed through 1-2 cm incisions in the temple area, inside the mouth, and sometimes the lower eyelid. These incision scars disappear completely over time.
Can men also have facelift surgery?
Men without significant health problems can also undergo this cosmetic surgery, just like women. Facelift procedures can vary depending on gender, facial structure, and the individual’s overall condition. Facelift surgeries are becoming increasingly common among men.
What is the recovery process like after a facelift?
For a few days after surgery, the patient can use pain medication prescribed by their surgeon to reduce pain. They can also apply cold compresses to their face to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. If a drainage tube was used, it will be removed the day after the operation. Postoperative swelling and bruising usually begin to subside within 7-10 days. The sutures used in facial surgeries are generally of the dissolvable type. If sutures need to be removed, they are taken out within 1-2 weeks, depending on their location. Avoiding sun exposure and strenuous activities is very important during the healing process. It is also recommended that women avoid applying makeup near the incision areas.
A facelift can give the face and neck a much younger and more aesthetic appearance, but the results are not permanent. The permanence of the surgery can vary depending on the individual’s genetic makeup and environmental factors.
The relationship between facelift and skin quality.
One of the signs of aging that makes a facelift necessary is the deterioration of skin quality, resulting in fine wrinkles and expression lines. Facelifts eliminate sagging and wrinkles, but they do not improve skin quality on their own. Therefore, laser peeling can be performed in addition to the facelift procedure. Furthermore, techniques such as skin rejuvenation to improve and rejuvenate facial skin tone and texture, and the reduction of wrinkles through fat or filler injections, can be utilized.
Facelift prices in 2024
“Facelift surgery prices”, “facelift surgery prices 2024”, and “mid-facelift surgery prices” are among the frequently asked questions by patients planning this operation. Numerous factors determine the cost of the surgery. These include the patient’s general condition, the quality of the equipment used, the hospital where the surgery is performed, and the knowledge, skill, and experience of your surgeon. You can obtain the most accurate information about facelift surgery prices from your doctor during your consultation.
Note: It is prohibited by law and circulars for institutions approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health (hospitals, treatment centers, and aesthetic clinics, etc.) to list prices on their websites. ☏ +90 212 257 1515 ✆ +90 541 334 3484 by calling their phone numbers or via their live support line when they are online, or info@sukruyazar.com You can obtain information about facelift procedures, such as price, surgical process, etc., by contacting patient advisors via email.
Facelift Frequently Asked Questions
Is a facelift safe?
With the techniques and procedures applied in recent years, facelift surgery has become a safe surgical procedure. However, the experience of the specialist doctor is crucial for the success of this surgery. The face is the most important and sensitive area that maintains a person’s psychological well-being throughout life. Therefore, you should discuss these surgical stages with an expert surgeon. Choosing a surgeon who has performed facelift procedures many times will increase the chances of successful surgery and reduce the rate of risks and complications.
In-home facelift
With the increasing popularity of facelift surgeries, patients are also frequently researching at-home facelift methods. Various mixtures and masks with recipes found online may help improve skin quality, but these applications lack a proven effect on sagging and signs of aging. There are also facelift tapes available on the market, but these do not provide lasting or healthy results.
What is a non-surgical facelift (non-surgical facial rejuvenation)?
The most effective and permanent solution for sagging and wrinkles on the face is facelift surgery. However, patients whose complaints are not very severe or who are hesitant about surgery also prefer methods that create a younger and smoother skin appearance, such as laser treatments, mesotherapy, Botox, and fillers. While non-surgical facelift procedures increase skin elasticity, they cannot be said to have a significant effect on sagging and signs of aging.
Thread lifting procedures also offer shorter-term solutions with easier recovery times for patients who do not want comprehensive surgeries like facelifts, but the effects of this method last for a short period, such as one year.
Facelift Instagram posts:
