Considering a facelift but not sure what to expect? This guide breaks down frequently asked questions about facelift procedures, helping you understand the process from initial consultation to full recovery.
Dr. Turner, a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney, Australia, brings extensive experience to help you achieve the rejuvenated look you desire.
What Is a Facelift, and Who Is It For?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that restores facial contours by tightening sagging skin, smoothing wrinkles, and enhancing definition. It is ideal for individuals experiencing issues such as deep creases around the nose and mouth, jowls or loss of jawline definition, and lax skin in the cheeks or lower face.
Facelifts are most suitable for healthy individuals seeking long-lasting facial rejuvenation. Dr Turner carefully evaluates factors such as your skin quality, bone structure, and personal aesthetic goals to determine if you are suitable for the procedure. The facelift technique is tailored to ensures that the results align with your expectations while maintaining a natural appearance.
What Are the Different Facelift Procedures?
Facelift techniques are customized to suit individual facial structures, skin quality, and aesthetic preferences. Dr. Turner will assess your unique needs to recommend the most appropriate procedure. Below are the common options explained in detail:
Vertical Restore
The Vertical Restore technique rejuvenates the face by lifting deeper layers in a vertical direction, addressing ageing more naturally than traditional facelifts which often tighten in a horizontal direction. It targets sagging in the brow, eyelids, midface, jawline, upper lips, and neck, delivering a comprehensive approach to facial ageing.
This approach avoids an over-pulled look while smoothing deep folds, restoring lost volume, and refining facial contours. Vertical Restore is ideal for individuals seeking comprehensive rejuvenation and long-lasting results.
Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane facelift targets the deeper fascia layers – the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System), addressing volume loss and sagging with greater precision than superficial SMAS techniques. By releasing the facial retaining ligaments, it provides a comprehensive lift for the midface, lower face, and neck while preserving the natural contours. This procedure is ideal for individuals seeking long-lasting rejuvenation that avoids an overdone or “pulled” look.
SMAS Facelift
The SMAS facelift targets the supportive layer beneath the skin to tighten and lift facial laxity. This technique is effective in smoothing wrinkles, lifting sagging cheeks, and enhancing the jawline. It’s a popular choice for those seeking a rejuvenated appearance with improved facial definition.
Short Scar Facelift
The short scar facelift is ideal for younger patients (40’s) with early signs of ageing, such as sagging in the midface and jowls. Using smaller incisions in front of the ears, this technique delivers subtle looking improvements. It offers a quicker recovery with well-concealed scarring compared to traditional facelift incision, making it suitable for those seeking mild enhancement without the downtime.
Ponytail Facelift
Inspired by the lifting effect of a high ponytail, this technique provides a subtle lift to the brows, temples, and upper face. It involves small, well-hidden incisions, making it a minimally invasive option with quicker recovery times. The result is a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance that avoids dramatic changes.
Neck Lift
The neck lift focuses on tightening the platysma muscles, removing excess skin, and addressing fat deposits under the chin to improve the neck’s contour. It is particularly effective for treating neck banding (platysmal bands) and the appearance of a “turkey neck.” Often combined with a facelift, a neck lift creates a balanced and harmonious result that enhances overall facial aesthetics.
Is a Facelift Painful?
A facelift is performed under general anaesthesia, ensuring that the procedure itself is pain-free. After surgery, it is normal to experience some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort as your body begins to heal. These side effects are generally well-managed with prescribed pain medications, cold compresses, and proper aftercare.
Most patients report that any discomfort decreases within the first one to two weeks, allowing them to resume light activities. Regular follow-up appointments ensure that any concerns are promptly addressed, giving you peace of mind throughout the healing process.
What Is the Recovery Timeline after Facelift Surgery?
After surgery most patients rest in hospital overnight, often with a drainage tube and bulky dressing to support wound healing
First Week: Rest is essential during the initial recovery period. You will have mild swelling, bruising and discomfort which is normal. The drainage tube and compression sutures are typically removed within 2–3 days during a follow-up with Dr Turner at his Manly clinic. Permanent sutures are removed after one week, along with detailed instructions on wound care.
Weeks 2–3: Swelling and bruising continue to subside, and patients often start feeling more like themselves. Patients can resume light activities or return to work, depending on their job. Makeup can be worn, and resuming a gentle skincare routine is encouraged.
Weeks 4–6: You can gradually reintroduce more vigorous activities. Most swelling and bruising resolve, allowing you to see the early results of your facelift. Dr Turner may advise silicone scar and laser treatments to assist with healing your facelift incisions.
After 6 Weeks: Patients can usually resume their regular exercise routines. By this stage, the transformation becomes more apparent, though final results may take a few months to fully settle as tissues continue to heal.
Will There Be Noticeable Scars after Facelift?
Dr. Turner places incisions strategically along the hairline and natural contours of the ears to ensure scars are discreet and blend seamlessly with your facial features. With time, these scars typically fade into thin, visible lines. Proper aftercare, including keeping the incisions clean and protected from sun exposure, plays a vital role in optimal healing. Dr Turner may recommend treatments such as silicone scar gels or laser therapy to further minimize the appearance of scars, ensuring the best possible results.
How Long Do Facelift Results Last?
The duration of facelift results varies from one individual to another, generally spanning around a decade or more. However, with modern techniques—such as the deep plane facelift—younger patients may see benefits that extend beyond 15 years, whereas older patients could experience results lasting closer to 5–7 years. Factors like skin quality, genetics, and lifestyle (e.g., smoking, sun exposure) also influence longevity. While no procedure can fully halt the aging process, a facelift can turn back the clock significantly.
What is the difference between a facelift and a neck lift?
A facelift (rhytidectomy) primarily addresses the mid to lower regions of the face—such as the cheeks, jowls, and jawline — by repositioning underlying tissues, removing excess skin, and smoothing out wrinkles and folds. On the other hand, a neck lift focuses on tightening and smoothing the neck area, which may involve removing excess fat, tightening the neck muscles (platysma), and re-draping the skin to reduce banding.
Many patients opt to combine a facelift and neck lift for comprehensive rejuvenation, as both procedures work together to create a more harmonious appearance. However, the best approach depends on individual anatomy, aesthetic goals, and the degree of skin laxity in each area.
Does a lower facelift include the neck?
Yes, a lower facelift addresses concerns around the jawline and extends into the neck area. Specifically, it targets sagging skin, jowls, and loose muscles in the lower portion of the face and neck, blending seamlessly to create a more lifted profile. However, the degree of neck involvement can vary from one patient to another, depending on individual anatomy. If your main concern is prominent neck sagging or banding, your surgeon may recommend combining a lower facelift and neck lift for optimal results.
How do you fix jowls?
Jowls, marked by sagging or drooping skin along the jawline, can be managed with both non-surgical and surgical treatments. In the early stages—when changes are subtle—treatments like injectables or skin tightening devices (ultrasound or radiofrequency) may offer temporary improvements. However, once jowls become more pronounced, a surgical facelift is recommended for a reliable correction and long-lasting result. By releasing the facial retaining ligaments through advanced techniques like a deep plane facelift, surgeons can effectively tighten the jawline and dramatically reduce the appearance of jowls.
Does a facelift get rid of wrinkles?
A facelift can significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles (rhytids) by tightening the deeper fascial layers and re-draping excess skin. However, it won’t eliminate all wrinkles—especially fine lines or those caused by repetitive facial movements. Non-surgical treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling, or laser resurfacing are often used alongside a facelift to improve skin texture, address fine lines, and enhance overall skin quality.
How do I prepare my face for a facelift?
Proper preparation is key to optimizing your surgical outcome and recovery. Here are the recommended steps:
- Protect and improve your skin health: Avoid prolonged sun exposure, use sunscreen, and follow a good skincare routine.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Fluctuations in weight can affect your facial contours, so aim to stabilize your weight prior to surgery.
- Review medications and supplements: Certain drugs (like blood thinners or specific supplements) can increase the risk of bleeding, so discuss any medications with your surgeon.
- Undergo any required evaluations: Follow through with laboratory tests or medical assessments as directed by your surgeon.
- Quit smoking and avoid alcohol: Both habits can compromise healing and increase complications.
Should I lose weight before a facelift?
Yes. It’s generally recommended to reach or maintain a stable, healthy weight before undergoing a facelift. Weight fluctuations can alter facial contours, potentially diminishing your surgical results over time. Furthermore, having a high BMI often indicates deeper fat deposits around the neck and face, which limits the extent of improvement that surgery can achieve alone. Carrying excess weight may also increase the risk of wound-healing problems and lead to suboptimal scar quality.
By achieving and sustaining a healthy weight, you help optimize the healing process, reduce surgical risks, and ensure your body is in the best possible condition for surgery. If you plan to lose a substantial amount of weight, aim to do so and maintain it for at least 12 months before scheduling your facelift.
How do you sleep after a facelift?
It’s important to avoid placing pressure on your incisions and newly repositioned tissues as they heal. One way to do this is by sleeping on your back with the rear of your head supported by 2 or 3 pillows to reduce swelling. Some patients find that placing pillows on either side of their head helps prevent them from rolling over during the night, further protecting the surgical area.
How long should you wear a compression bandage after a facelift?
In the first week following surgery, Dr Turner applies a bulky dressing to protect the incision sites. This dressing is removed at your one-week follow-up appointment at Dr Turner’s Manly Clinic, where any necessary sutures are also taken out. After this initial phase, Dr Turner recommends wearing a compression neck garment at night for the next four weeks to help reduce swelling and support proper neck skin redraping.
How do you wash your hair after a facelift?
At the end of your facelift procedure, a gentle hair wash is performed by the nurse to remove any blood or fluids before the bulky dressing is applied. After one week, Dr Turner will remove the dressing at your follow-up appointment, and you may begin washing your hair at home gently. Use a mild (baby) shampoo with lukewarm water and be sure to handle your incisions gently—avoid direct pressure and pat your hair dry instead of rubbing.
How soon can I wear makeup after a facelift?
When recovering from a facelift, it’s important to allow incisions to heal sufficiently before resuming your makeup routine. Dr Turner recommends waiting around 14 days, so you don’t irritate sensitive skin or risk introducing bacteria that could cause infection.
Once you’re ready, opt for gentle, non-comedogenic makeup and keep application tools impeccably clean. Avoid tugging at healing incisions and consider light-coverage options or green-tinted primers to neutralize any redness without overstressing the fragile skin.
What is a pixie ear after a facelift?
A pixie ear is an earlobe deformity where the earlobe appears “stuck on” or pulled downward following a facelift. It arises when the tension from the lower face and jawline skin places undue pull on the attachment point of the earlobe. This tension can alter the natural contour of the earlobe, leading to a longer or stretched appearance. Proper surgical techniques and minimal tension on the skin during a facelift can help minimize the risk of developing a pixie ear. If it does occur, corrective procedures are often available to restore a more natural earlobe shape.
Can a Facelift Be Combined with Other Procedures?
Yes. Many patients choose to complement a facelift with additional surgical treatments to achieve more balanced and comprehensive rejuvenation. Common options include:
- Neck Lift: Targets excess skin and fat below the chin and around the neck to create a smoother, more defined jawline.
- Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Addresses drooping lids and puffiness by removing or repositioning excess skin and fat around the eyes.
- Brow Lift: Elevates the eyebrows and smooths forehead creases.
Combining these procedures can optimize both your aesthetic results as you’ll address multiple signs of ageing in a single surgical session.
What age is best for a facelift?
There is no one-size-fits-all age for a facelift, as everyone ages differently based on genetics, lifestyle, and skin type. Many people consider a facelift in their 40’s, when early signs of ageing—like fine lines, wrinkles, and mild skin laxity—become noticeable. While others may postpone surgery until their 60’s to address more advanced concerns, such as deeper creases or more pronounced sagging.
The key is to choose a time when you have enough skin laxity to benefit significantly from a surgical lift, yet not so much that more extensive correction becomes challenging. By consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon, you can determine the most appropriate approach—be it a mini facelift, traditional facelift, or a combination of procedures—to help you look refreshed while maintaining your natural character.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
Pricing for facelift surgery can vary widely depending on factors like the surgeon’s expertise, the type of facelift, and whether additional procedures are combined. Typical expenses include surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees, and hospital costs.
Dr. Turner emphasizes the importance of a personalized quote, as every patient’s anatomy and goals are unique. During a consultation, he assesses the necessary surgical approach and discusses any associated fees—ensuring you have a transparent understanding of the total investment.
Next Steps
- Schedule a Consultation: Book an appointment at our Manly clinic in Sydney to discuss your facelift options.
- Prepare for Surgery: Follow any preoperative guidelines, such as stopping certain medications and arranging for a ride home on the day of surgery.
- Plan Your Recovery: Organize time off work and any necessary at-home support.
Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Every individual is different, and results may vary. Consult with Dr. Turner for a personalized assessment and an accurate quote tailored to your goals and needs.
