It’s completely natural for your skin to lose elasticity as you age, because it’s simply a sign of getting older. However, for some people, loose, sagging skin and wrinkles on their face and neck can make them feel even older. Thankfully, a facelift can restore a youthful look by tightening these areas of loose skin.
1 - 2 hours
day case
first 4 - 6 weeks
4 - 6 weeks
Among the top 10 cosmetic procedures in the world, facelift surgery is also known as rhytidectomy. It aims to ‘lift’ loose skin on the face, chin, and jowls.
During face lift surgery, the skin on either side of your face is pulled back, the tissue underneath is altered and any excess skin is removed. This results in a more youthful and refreshed look. Many people like to target their neck at the same time, combining a facelift and neck lift to reduce sagging skin on their neck.
If you’re bothered by deep wrinkles and drooping skin on your face, a facelift could be the perfect procedure for you. By getting rid of excess skin on the face, chin and jowls, a facelift can:
There are always risks and potential side effects when it comes to any kind cosmetic surgery. Before you have your face lift treatment, our team of experts will talk you through these and make sure that you are comfortable continuing with your procedure.
As a guide, the risks associated with a facelift include:
A facelift will require you to have anaesthetic, which you can find out more about here.
Before your surgeon begins, you’ll be given general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep for the entire procedure.
The technique that your surgeon uses will depend on which kind of face lift you’re having. For a traditional facelift, they will begin by making incisions starting at your temples, close to your hairline, and finishing behind your ears at your lower scalp. Once the incisions have been made, your surgeon will remove excess skin and fat, tighten your muscles and reposition your skin, targeting the face, chin, and jowls.
If you’re having a neck lift in addition to your face lift, your surgeon will target this area too, making incisions at the front of your earlobes and under your chin.
Once your facelift is complete, the incisions will be closed and you’ll be moved to a recovery room, where you’ll gradually wake up.
If you’re looking to reduce sagging skin and visible signs of ageing on your face, chin, and neck, a facelift might be right for you. The most suitable candidates for this procedure are those who are in their 40s, 50s or 60s with visible signs of ageing, but who still have reasonable skin elasticity. As a facelift is not a preventative treatment against wrinkles or sagging, it might not be effective for people in their 20s or 30s.
Your recovery from facelift surgery can take up to 4 weeks, and you should be prepared to take at least 2-3 weeks off work, depending on the nature of your job.
For the first few days you’ll have some discomfort, along with noticeable bruising and swelling. You should take suitable pain medicine to help with this, and keep your head propped up with pillows to reduce the swelling.
For the first 2 weeks, you’ll need to avoid showering, saunas, or anything that will get your bandages wet. You should avoid any exercise or heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks after your procedure.
It can take at least 6 months to see the final results of your facelift.
There’s no upper age requirement or limit for having a face lift, and the age at which you’ll get the most out of the procedure will depend on your skin. Most people who have a facelift are in their 40s, 50s or 60s, as this is typically when people have skin that is beginning to sag. For a facelift to be effective, you should have reasonable skin elasticity. The age at which the skin has lost most of its elasticity varies between individuals.
Your surgeon will be able to assess your skin and let you know whether a face lift will help to achieve the results you’re looking for.
There are several different types of face lift, and the one that’s right for you will depend on what you’re looking to achieve. Facelift types include:
When you discuss your goals with our team, they’ll be able to suggest the right kind of face lift surgery for you.
The results of a face lift will last around 10 years. A facelift isn’t permanent, as it cannot prevent further ageing to the face and neck.
Any scars that you have from your face lift will be concealed within your hairline, behind your ears, and/or under your chin. While the scars might be noticeable at first, they will fade over time. You can help to improve the appearance of any scars by treating them with Vitamin E cream and keeping them out of the sun.
While anti-wrinkle injections can treat fine lines and wrinkles on the face, a facelift targets deep wrinkles and sagging. You might get your desired results from anti-wrinkle injections if you are under 40 and want to minimise fine lines and wrinkles.
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