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cosmetic surgery

Facelift

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.

By The Treatment Registry

Quick Facts

Price range
Varies by clinic
Recovery
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Sessions
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Category
cosmetic surgery
Anaesthesia
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Min. stay abroad
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Price Range (International)
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Average Recovery
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Typical Sessions
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Category
cosmetic surgery

Overview

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.

Key Considerations

    Reported outcomes

    Detailed outcomes →

    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.

    Common Risks

    • Bleeding, sometimes requiring a return to the operating room
    • Hematoma, most occurring within the first 24 hours
    • Facial (motor) nerve injury or great auricular (sensory) nerve injury
    • Skin flap necrosis, more likely in smokers
    • Infection
    • Hypertrophic scarring
    • Hair loss (alopecia) or distortion of the hairline near incisions
    Detailed risk profile →

    Alternative treatments

    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.

    Credentials a clinic should hold

    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 →

    Authors cited in the outcome data

    Attribution — the named first authors of the systematic reviews whose reported rates feed the outcome figures above. Listed for transparency, not as endorsement; the registry has not solicited review or comment from these authors.

    Current clinical trials

    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.

    Recovery Timeline

    Average recovery for Facelift is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.

    1. 01Day 0–1

      Immediate

      First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.

    2. 02Day 2–2

      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.

    3. 03Day 3–3

      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.

    4. 04Day 4–0

      Full recovery

      Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.

    It takes about 2 to 4 weeks to fully recover from a facelift, and you need to take this time off work. For the first 2 days you should avoid showering or getting the bandages wet, and keep your head propped up on pillows while resting to help reduce swelling. You will not be able to drive for a number of days after the operation — your surgeon will advise you. Avoid strenuous activity, saunas and massages for at least 2 weeks. Bruising is visible for at least 2 weeks.

    Timeline - After 7 to 14 days: the stitches are removed (unless you had dissolvable stitches). - After several weeks: bruises, scars and changes to your skin colour should have faded. - After 6 to 9 months: you should be able to see the final results of the facelift.

    *Reference text adapted from NHS (facelift) under the Open Government Licence v3.0.*

    Questions to Ask Your Clinic

      Browse all destinations offering Facelift →Detailed cost breakdown →

      Frequently Asked Questions

      What is a facelift?

      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.

      What signs of ageing does a facelift address?

      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.

      What is the SMAS in a facelift?

      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.

      Can a facelift be combined with other procedures?

      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.

      Who may be advised against a facelift?

      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.

      What is the most common complication?

      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.

      Related Procedures

      Other cosmetic surgery procedures in our registry

      RhinoplastyBreast AugmentationAbdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)Submuscular Breast AugmentationLiposuctionBrazilian Butt LiftBreast LiftBreast ReductionBreast Implant RemovalBreast Implant RevisionNeck LiftBlepharoplastyOtoplastyChin ImplantOrthognathic Jaw SurgeryGynaecomastia SurgeryMommy MakeoverArm LiftThigh LiftBody LiftRevision RhinoplastyFat Transfer Breast Augmentation

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