Lower Facelift at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Procedure | Lower facelift |
| Surgeon | Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) |
| AHPRA registration | MED0001654827 |
| Procedure category | Targeted lower-third facelift |
| Layer addressed | SMAS and platysma components where indicated |
| Areas commonly discussed | Jowls, lower face, jawline, marionette-line area and selected upper neck concerns |
| Areas not directly addressed | Midface descent, brow, eyelids and deeper neck laxity |
| Incision pattern | Standard facelift incisions around the ear and posterior hairline, depending on the surgical plan |
| Anaesthesia | General anaesthesia in an accredited private hospital |
| Surgical time | Around 2 to 3 hours, depending on the surgical plan |
| Hospital stay | Day surgery or 1 night, depending on the surgical plan |
| Return to desk work | Often around 2 weeks; recovery varies between patients |
| Duration | Outcomes and duration vary between patients |
| Consultation locations | Bondi Junction and Manly |
| Surgery performed at | Bondi Junction Private Hospital, Delmar Private Hospital (Dee Why) |
| GP referral | Required (Medical Board and AHPRA requirement) |
| Medicare and private health rebate | Not applicable for cosmetic facelift surgery |
| Indicative cost | From around $25,000 all-inclusive; depends on the surgical plan |
| Alternative procedures that may be discussed | Short Scar Facelift, Deep Plane Facelift, Vertical Restore Facelift or neck lift depending on assessment |
What Is a Lower Facelift?
A lower facelift, sometimes searched as lower face lift, focuses on the lower third of the face. It may address jowls, lower-face tissue descent, jawline changes and selected upper neck concerns. The surgical plan may involve SMAS work, elevating and re-suspending the layer of fascia and muscle that supports the soft tissue of the face, and platysma work where upper neck involvement is part of the assessment.
The procedure is performed through standard facelift incisions: in front of the ear in a natural skin crease, around the earlobe, and behind the ear into the posterior hairline, depending on the surgical plan. This access allows the lower-face tissues to be repositioned along the jawline.
A lower facelift differs from a full facelift because it does not primarily address the midface, brow or eyelids. It also differs from a formal neck lift, which focuses more directly on neck skin, platysma bands and deeper neck structures.
What a Lower Facelift Treats
A lower facelift may address lower-face tissue descent around the jawline and jowls. It can also be discussed when marionette-line area changes and lower-cheek descent are linked to lower-face tissue position. Suitability depends on anatomy and the degree of neck or midface involvement.
- Jowls. Soft tissue descent creating fullness below the jawline; the surgical plan repositions lower-face tissues to address this.
- Lower-face tissue descent. The broader pattern of descent across the lower third.
- Jawline changes. As lower-face tissue descends, the line of the jaw loses clarity; repositioning addresses lower-face tissue descent around the jawline.
- Marionette-line area. Repositioning the tissue that has descended around these lines may soften their appearance, although the lines themselves are not eliminated.
- Lower-cheek descent. The lower-cheek component of descent toward the jowl.
- Selected upper neck concerns. Mild to moderate upper neck involvement may be addressed through the same access; significant banding or deeper neck laxity is assessed for formal neck lift surgery.
A lower facelift does not directly address midface descent, brow position or eyelid changes, which are assessed for their own procedures.
Lower Facelift for Jowls
Jowls occur when lower-face tissues descend around the jawline. A lower facelift may be considered when jowls are the main concern and the midface, brow and eyelids do not require primary treatment. The surgical plan may reposition lower-face tissues and address selected upper neck involvement where appropriate.
If jowls are associated with significant midface descent, deeper tissue descent or broader facial changes, Dr Turner may discuss deep plane facelift or Vertical Restore Facelift instead. If the concern is mainly the neck, a neck lift may be more appropriate. The right procedure depends on where the changes sit and how far they extend, assessed at consultation.
Lower Facelift vs Other Techniques
| Procedure | Main focus | May be considered when |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Facelift | Lower face, jowls, jawline and selected upper neck concerns | Lower-face and jowl concerns are the main issue |
| Short Scar Facelift | Lower face through a limited incision pattern | Concerns are more limited and skin excess is not substantial |
| Neck Lift | Neck skin, platysma and selected deeper neck structures | Neck concerns are the main issue |
| Deep Plane Facelift | Midface, jowls, jawline and lower face | Deeper tissue descent or midface involvement is present |
| Vertical Restore Facelift | Multiple facial areas assessed together | Several areas are being addressed in one plan |
| Facelift hub | Broad facelift information | The patient is comparing several facelift options |
Technique selection is made at consultation based on anatomy, tissue position and the areas being addressed.
Who May Be Suitable for a Lower Facelift?
Lower facelift may be considered for selected patients whose concerns are mainly around the lower face, jowls, jawline and upper neck. Suitability depends on anatomy, tissue position, skin quality, neck involvement, medical history, prior surgery, smoking status and recovery capacity, rather than age alone.
Considerations assessed at consultation include:
- Jowls and lower-face tissue descent as the main concern.
- Upper neck involvement that is limited rather than the dominant issue.
- Midface, brow and eyelid position not requiring primary treatment.
- Adequate skin quality for redraping through the standard incision pattern.
- General health and suitability for general anaesthesia.
- Smoking status, with nicotine cessation required before and after surgery.
- Realistic expectations about a procedure focused on the lower third.
A face-to-face consultation following GP referral is required to determine candidacy.
When a Lower Facelift May Not Be Appropriate
A lower facelift may not be appropriate when there is significant midface descent, brow or eyelid concerns, isolated neck laxity, deeper neck changes or concerns across several facial areas. In those cases, another procedure may be discussed during consultation.
- Significant midface descent is usually assessed for a deep plane facelift.
- Isolated or deeper neck concerns are assessed for neck lift surgery or a deep neck lift.
- Brow or eyelid concerns are assessed for brow lift, upper blepharoplasty or lower blepharoplasty.
- Concerns across several facial areas are usually assessed for a Vertical Restore Facelift rather than multiple procedures added to a lower facelift.
Selecting the procedure that matches the pattern of change matters more than selecting any single named technique.
Optional Combined Procedures
Some patients considering lower facelift may also ask about eyelid, neck or volume-related concerns. These are assessed separately. If several facial areas need to be addressed, Dr Turner may discuss whether a deep plane facelift or Vertical Restore Facelift is more appropriate than adding multiple procedures to a lower facelift.
- Upper blepharoplasty for excess upper-eyelid skin.
- Lower blepharoplasty for under-eye fat and lower-eyelid skin.
- A formal neck lift or deep neck lift component where neck involvement is more significant.
- Facial fat transfer for volume in selected facial areas.
Lower Facelift Recovery Timeline
Recovery after lower facelift surgery varies between patients and depends on the surgical plan, whether other procedures are included, health factors and individual healing. Swelling, bruising, tightness and altered sensation may occur, and recovery generally follows stages, but timing varies between patients.
- First 24 to 48 hours. Day surgery or a 1-night hospital stay, depending on the surgical plan. Drains, if used, are removed within this period, head elevation is maintained and discomfort is managed with prescribed analgesia.
- First week. Swelling and bruising build and peak. Light walking is encouraged while bending and lifting are avoided.
- Weeks one to two. Sutures are removed in staged fashion. Swelling begins to settle, and many patients plan around two weeks away from desk-based work, depending on the extent of surgery and individual healing.
- Weeks three to four. Visible bruising often resolves over this period. Light exercise resumes with surgeon approval.
- Several months after surgery. Healing and tissue settling continue over several months, and later-stage healing varies between patients.
Lower Facelift Scars
Lower facelift incisions are usually planned around the ear, in front of the ear in a natural skin crease and around the earlobe, and may extend into the posterior hairline depending on the surgical plan. Scar healing and visibility vary between patients and may be influenced by skin type, incision placement, smoking history, wound healing and aftercare.
Points discussed at consultation include where the incision sits relative to the ear and hairline, the normal variability of scar healing, and the uncommon possibility of hypertrophic or keloid scarring. Scars appear pink initially and typically change over months, and scar healing is monitored at follow-up visits.
Risks and Complications
All surgery carries risks. Risks relevant to lower facelift surgery, discussed in detail at consultation, may include:
- Haematoma. A collection of blood beneath the skin, most common in the first 24 hours.
- Infection. Uncommon in clean facial surgery but possible.
- Scarring. Including the uncommon possibility of hypertrophic or keloid scarring.
- Delayed wound healing. Increased in patients who smoke or have poorly controlled medical conditions.
- Facial nerve injury. Temporary or, less commonly, permanent weakness of the muscles of facial expression; the marginal mandibular branch is particularly relevant in lower-face dissection and its protection is a focus of the technique.
- Altered sensation. Numbness around the ears and cheeks, usually improving over months; the great auricular nerve, which provides sensation to the lower ear, is relevant during lower facelift dissection.
- Asymmetry. Minor asymmetry may persist, as no two sides of any face are identical.
- Hair loss near incisions. Usually temporary.
- Skin contour irregularity. Near the incision or redraped areas.
- Neck contour concerns. Where the upper neck is treated as part of the plan.
- Under-correction. Particularly where midface descent contributes to the appearance of lower-face change; careful patient selection reduces this risk.
- Anaesthetic risks. Associated with general anaesthesia.
- Need for further surgery. To address healing or to revise an outcome.
- Dissatisfaction with the outcome. Where the result does not meet expectations.
Risk is reduced by smoking cessation, optimisation of general health, careful surgical technique, an accredited private hospital setting and structured follow-up. Further information is available on the risks and complications page.
Lower Facelift Cost in Sydney
Lower facelift cost in Sydney varies depending on the surgical plan, operating time, hospital fees, anaesthetist fees, assistant fees, post-operative care and whether another procedure is included.
As an indicative figure, fees start from around $25,000 all-inclusive, covering the surgeon, assistant surgeon, anaesthetist, accredited private hospital fee, garments and standard post-operative care. The final quote depends on the surgical plan and is provided after consultation. Cost should not be the main reason for choosing a lower facelift, because the procedure must suit the patient’s anatomy, neck involvement and lower-face concerns. Medicare and private health insurance rebates do not apply for cosmetic facelift surgery. A consultation fee applies.
A complete cost breakdown across facelift techniques is available in the Facelift Cost Sydney 2026 guide.
Consultations in Bondi Junction and Manly
Lower facelift consultations with Dr Scott J Turner are available at two Sydney locations.
The Bondi Junction clinic is located at 39 Grosvenor Street, a short distance from Bondi Junction station and Westfield. The Manly clinic is located in Suite 504, Level 5, 39 East Esplanade, close to Manly Wharf. Surgery is performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.
A GP referral is required before booking a consultation, in line with Medical Board and AHPRA requirements introduced for cosmetic surgery in Australia. Dr Turner conducts a minimum of two consultations before proceeding with surgery, both personally.
To request a consultation, contact the practice on 1300 437 758 or [email protected], or visit the contact us page.
Lower Facelift FAQs
What is a lower facelift?
A lower facelift is a targeted facelift procedure focusing on the lower third of the face. It may address jowls, lower-face tissue descent, jawline changes, the marionette-line area and selected upper neck concerns, with SMAS and platysma work where indicated. It is not a midface, brow or full-face operation. Dr Scott J Turner performs lower facelift surgery at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.
Is lower face lift the same as lower facelift?
Yes. Lower face lift and lower facelift are the same procedure written two different ways, and both terms are used by patients searching for surgery that addresses the lower third of the face. On this page, lower facelift is used as the main wording for a procedure that may address jowls, jawline changes and selected upper neck concerns.
Can a lower facelift treat jowls?
Lower facelift may be considered when jowls are a main concern and the issue is concentrated in the lower face and jawline. If jowls are associated with deeper tissue descent, midface descent or broader facial changes, Dr Turner may discuss deep plane facelift or Vertical Restore Facelift instead. Suitability is assessed at consultation.
How does lower facelift differ from deep plane facelift?
A lower facelift works on the SMAS layer, elevating and re-suspending it, with the focus contained in the lower third of the face. A deep plane facelift works beneath the SMAS, releasing selected retaining ligaments so the midface and lower face can be repositioned as a unit, which reaches midface concerns a lower facelift does not. Selection depends on whether midface involvement is present, assessed at consultation.
How does lower facelift differ from neck lift?
A lower facelift addresses the lower third of the face and selected upper neck concerns through facelift incisions around the ear. A formal neck lift focuses on the neck itself, with additional submental access for direct work on platysmal bands and deeper neck structures. The two overlap in the upper neck, and patients with significant banding or deeper neck laxity are usually assessed for neck lift surgery, alone or combined.
Who may be suitable for a lower facelift?
Lower facelift may be considered for selected patients whose concerns are mainly around the lower face, jowls, jawline and upper neck, with the midface, brow and eyelids not requiring primary treatment. Suitability depends on anatomy, tissue position, skin quality, neck involvement, medical history, prior surgery, smoking status and recovery capacity, rather than age alone. Candidacy is determined at consultation following a GP referral.
What is the recovery timeline for lower facelift surgery?
Recovery generally follows stages, but timing varies between patients and depends on the surgical plan and whether other procedures are included. Swelling and bruising peak in the first week, and sutures are removed in stages over the following one to two weeks. Many patients plan around two weeks away from desk-based work. Healing and tissue settling continue over several months.
What does lower facelift cost in Sydney?
Lower facelift cost in Sydney varies depending on the surgical plan, operating time, hospital, anaesthetist and assistant fees, post-operative care and whether another procedure is included. As an indicative figure, fees start from around $25,000 all-inclusive. Medicare and private health rebates do not apply for cosmetic facelift surgery. A personalised quote is provided after consultation.
Related Guides
Facelift techniques: Facelift Surgery Sydney (the facelift procedure hub and related facelift technique pages), Deep Plane Facelift, SMAS Facelift, Vertical Restore Facelift, Short Scar Facelift, Ponytail Facelift and Revision Facelift.
Neck and complementary procedures: Neck Lift, Deep Neck Lift, Facial Fat Transfer, Buccal Fat Removal and Lip Lift Surgery.
Reading more: Facelift Cost Sydney 2026, Difference Between Vertical Restore and Deep Plane Facelift Surgery and Deep Plane Facelift Recovery Timeline.
