March 1, 2026
Facelift is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries that aim to improve the visible aging signs in the face and neck. Several types of facelift surgeries are available. Therefore, it is important to collect all the information you can and talk to your doctor to decide what is the best option for you.
Facelift, also known as Rhytidectomy describes the surgery that aims to improve the aging signs in the face and/or neck. The procedure is done by either removing or repositioning tissues including skin, fat, and/or muscle that make the aging signs visible in the first place. (1) A facelift can restore many aging signs including:
Facelifts are one of the best restorative surgical procedures, yet they will not change how you look completely or prevent the aging process. Besides, they are not recommended for superficial wrinkles, skin damage from sun exposure, or any kind of skin color irregularities. (2) Each facelift procedure is customized to the person’s needs and desired goals. Therefore, you need to talk to your doctor to see if you are suitable for this procedure or not.
Facelift surgeries include many steps (3). Here is each step in detail.
Facelift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, which means that you will be completely asleep or via IV sedation. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you according to the type of facelift procedure you are going to undergo.
The site of the incision depends on the type of facelift surgery you will get. Depending on the type, the site of the incision can be one of these:
Also, depending on the type of the facelift procedure, the size of the incision will vary. You should talk with your surgeon about all these details before the procedure.
Facelift procedures depend on removing and/or relocating facial fat and/or skin. After that, your surgeon will tighten your facial muscles. Based on the type of facelift procedure you are undergoing, your surgeon will determine the details of the procedure. In most cases, not all the previous actions are performed but in some, all the actions are done. Before the procedure, ask your surgeon about what will happen during the procedure.
After finishing the procedure, the incisions will be closed using either dissolvable stitches, skin glue, or stitches that need to be removed after a few days.
Immediately after the procedure, you will be taken to an observation toll for a while until you completely wake up. Once everything is fine and you are 100% stable, you can leave the hospital. This process usually takes a couple of hours. (4) A bandage may be placed around your face for several hours to prevent any swelling or bruising. Also, in some cases, small drainage tubes may be used. Before leaving the hospital, your doctor will provide you with a list of instructions that you should follow typically such as how to take care of the incision site or sites and drains. Also, you must schedule an appointment to check the results and make sure that the procedure has achieved what you want. If there is any pain, your surgeon can prescribe a painkiller for you to have your pain under control.
Figure 1 - The preoperative design of the face lift. The temporal incision is placed within the hairline, perpendicular to the vector of the vertical lift of the face. The incision line around the ear is placed parallel to the helix, drawing a W pattern at the margins of the tragus, and inferiorly following the margins of the earlobe. The postauricular incision is placed 5 mm above the conchal groove and is extended into the occipital area
After the procedure, the signs of aging should disappear and your appearance should be more youthful. Most people need this procedure to boost their confidence and increase their self-esteem about their appearances. (5)
Figure 2 - Preoperative analysis for the individualized component facelift. Anteroposterior view is used to determine midface width, height, and overall facial shape and soft-tissue distribution. Reprinted with permission from Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009;123:1050–1063.
All cosmetic surgeries have the same risks, complications, and side effects. Most of them are rare, but they might happen. The facelift procedure has the following risks. (6)
Besides, there are some points that you need to keep in mind.
After the facelift procedure, swelling and bruising are expected for about 2 to 3 weeks. Some people may take longer to heal. In most cases, the bandages are removed after several days of the surgery. During the recovery time, you should visit your surgeon to check on the incision sites, assess the swelling and bruising, and remove the stitches. The complete recovery after facelift procedures depends on many factors such as the type of surgery and your overall health. Your face may take 2 to 3 months before it heals completely.
In the USA, facelift procedures may cost up to $8,000. This is for the surgery only and does not include many other expenses such as anesthesia and operating room. It is important to discuss the final fee with your surgeon before the procedure. Furthermore, the surgeon’s expenses will be determined according to his/her level of experience, location, and type of procedure you will have. Finally, health insurance policies do not usually cover these procedures because of the complications. However, your plastic surgeon can provide you with some good financing plans. Therefore, make sure to ask about any offers.