Complication rate
13.80%
Range 10.30–17.20%
n=1 study
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cosmetic surgery
A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy, is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure intended to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are multiple surgical techniques.
A facelift, technically a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure intended to give the face a more youthful appearance. There are several surgical techniques, but in general the operation involves removing excess facial skin, with or without tightening the underlying tissues, and then redraping the skin of the face and neck. It is typically carried out under general anaesthesia or deep twilight sedation and is often combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and other facial procedures. The facelift is directed at the signs of facial ageing, which arise largely from changes in the position of deeper structures such as the platysma muscle, the cheek fat and the orbicularis oculi muscle; these produce the jowls, the deepening nasolabial fold and the changes around the lower eyelid that patients often wish to address. In the traditional technique an incision is made in front of the ear, extending up into the hairline and curving around and behind the ear toward the hairline of the neck. The skin is separated from the deeper tissues, the fascial suspension layer known as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) can be tightened with sutures, excess skin is trimmed, and the incisions are closed. Because each surgeon practises several variations, the specific technique is chosen at consultation according to the patient's anatomy, expectations, the areas to be improved and the acceptable recovery time.
Complication rate
13.80%
Range 10.30–17.20%
n=1 study
Aggregated from peer-reviewed systematic reviews on PubMed. How we extract these rates.
Other clinically reasonable options for the same condition. The right alternative depends on the patient's specific anatomy, comorbidities, and goals — discuss with a treating clinician rather than self-selecting from this list.
Thread lift
Sub-2-year cosmetic alternative for early jowling; results limited and shorter-lived.
Source ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery
Filler + neuromodulator regimen
Non-surgical volumisation and contour; addresses different ageing axis than skin redraping.
Source ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery
Energy-based skin tightening (RF, ultrasound)
Mild skin tightening without surgery; will not lift redundant skin.
Source ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery
Specialty-board certifications and facility-level accreditations relevant to this procedure. Verify on the issuer's public register before booking — most issuers publish a searchable directory.
ISAPS member surgeon
Issuer International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Individual surgeon membership; requires national-board certification in plastic surgery plus peer endorsement.
Verify on the issuer's register →National plastic-surgery board certification
Issuer Country-specific (e.g. ABPS in US, BAAPS in UK, SBCP in Brazil, KSPRS in South Korea, ASPRS in Australia)
Specialty-board certification in plastic surgery from the surgeon's country of practice. The single most important credential for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.
Verify on the issuer's register →Ongoing research studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov whose intervention involves facelift. This is a neutral pointer to public research — not an endorsement, not a recruitment drive, and not medical advice. Trial status changes often; confirm eligibility and current status with the study team via each record.
Showing 1 recent ongoing study. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov — all matching trials (U.S. National Library of Medicine, public domain). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
Average recovery for Facelift is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.
Immediate
First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.
Early recovery
Wound care, swelling or bruising peaks, restricted activity. Typical window for follow-up visits and drain removal if applicable. Travel is usually not advised.
Intermediate recovery
Gradual return to non-strenuous daily activity. Many international patients fly home during this window. Surgeon may require medical clearance for long-haul travel.
Full recovery
Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.
Browse all destinations offering Facelift→Detailed cost breakdown →
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that gives the face a more youthful appearance. It usually involves removing excess facial skin, with or without tightening the underlying tissues, and redraping the skin of the face and neck.
Facial ageing is shown largely by changes in the position of deeper structures such as the platysma muscle, the cheek fat and the orbicularis oculi muscle. These lead to jowls, a deepening nasolabial fold and changes around the lower eyelid.
The SMAS, or superficial musculoaponeurotic system, is a fibromuscular layer that envelops the muscles of facial expression. During surgery it can be tightened with sutures to support and reposition the deeper tissues of the face.
Yes. Surgical facelifts are effectively combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and other facial procedures, and the operation is typically performed under general anaesthesia or deep twilight sleep.
The risk of complications is higher in cigarette smokers and in patients with hypertension or diabetes, because these predispose to poor wound healing. Severe medical problems, and psychiatric illness leading to unrealistic expectations, can also be contraindications.
Bleeding is the most common complication and can require a return to the operating room. Hematoma is the most frequently seen, with almost all hematomas occurring within the first 24 hours after surgery.
Other cosmetic surgery procedures in our registry