Face Lifting

A surgical facelift lifts the SMAS — the muscular-fibrous layer that supports the face beneath the skin — to improve jowls, mid-face sagging and a loosened neck. The deep layer is repositioned and fixed, then the skin is redraped without tension, aiming for a lasting correction rather than a surface tightening. Incisions follow the hairline and the creases of the ear and settle to be inconspicuous over time.

You might consider a consultation if jowls and a blurred jawline are no longer hidden by make-up, if mid-face sagging and deepening folds around the mouth bother you, or if loose skin and neck bands appear. The consultation is for those who want a lasting change rather than a temporary tightening.

The layer and location of sagging, skin elasticity, neck condition, general health and medications, and smoking are reviewed. These can change the suitable method, extent and expected recovery. Any previous lifting treatments or surgery are also reviewed.

· SMAS lift: the deep SMAS layer is repositioned and fixed to the fascia while the skin itself is not pulled. It is mainly considered for clear mid-face sagging and a blurred jawline, with less of a “pulled” feel and a relatively long-lasting result.

· Mini lift: tidies the superficial tissue without working the SMAS much; considered for early jowls and relatively good skin elasticity. The incision is smaller and recovery relatively quicker.

· Face + neck lift: when the neck sags along with the jaw, the SMAS and the platysma are corrected together to address both the face and neck contour. Which method suits you is decided at the consultation by the extent of sagging.

In general: facial-proportion analysis and a one-to-one consultation → a design matched to your anatomy → SMAS repositioning and skin redraping through hidden incisions under sedation → recovery and follow-up. It takes about 3–4 hours under sedation, and you go home the same day.

A drain and compression band are usually used for 1–2 days, and stitches are removed after about 7 days. Most people return to office work after about 3–5 days; the main swelling goes down over 1–2 weeks and residual swelling and tightness settle over about a month. The final result can take longer to stabilise, and the course varies between people.

For about two weeks, keep the head elevated and sleep on your back; for about 4 weeks avoid strenuous exercise, sauna and alcohol. Smoking can impair flap healing, so we advise stopping for about 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery; hair colouring and perms are possible after about a month. Also, the incision lines should be kept out of direct sun for several months. Please attend all scheduled follow-ups for sutures, drainage and swelling care.

As with any surgery, a facelift carries possible side effects such as swelling, bruising, haematoma, infection, temporary numbness, scarring and asymmetry; their degree and course differ between people. It is important to be fully informed about the possible risks and how they are managed at the consultation.

A thread lift uses threads for a comparatively light lift with quicker recovery but addresses a different extent of sagging. A neck lift is considered when neck sagging is also treated. The suitability of each is judged at the consultation by the degree of sagging; see “Related content”.

A facelift repositions the deep support layer (SMAS) rather than only pulling the skin, improving jowls and mid-face and neck sagging. The method and extent differ with the degree and location of sagging.

A thread lift lifts comparatively lightly with threads and recovers faster, but the extent of sagging it can address differs from a surgical facelift. Which suits you is judged at the consultation by the degree of sagging.

You might consider a consultation when jowls and a blurred jawline not hidden by make-up, mid-face sagging, loose skin or neck bands bother you. After assessing your condition, suitable options are discussed together.

Visible downtime is roughly 2–3 weeks, with stitches usually removed after 1–2 weeks. The result can take about 3–6 months to stabilise as swelling subsides, and the course varies between people.

Incisions are designed to hide along the hairline and the creases of the ear and settle to be inconspicuous over time. How a scar matures varies between people and is best confirmed at the consultation.