Facelift

Facelift surgery is a procedure applied to sagging, wrinkled, and sunken skin caused by factors such as aging, hereditary features, deterioration of skin quality, and gravity over the years.

As the body ages, collagen production decreases, and with the reduction of fat tissue beneath the skin, the skin loses its necessary volume and elasticity. The loosening skin sags under the influence of gravity. Aging effects on the face, such as sagging in the cheeks and jowls, loss of the jawline, and deepening smile lines, become noticeable.

What Is a Facelift?

Aging is a natural process in human life, and its most noticeable sign begins with the skin. The skin sags, and deformations like wrinkles, lines, and hollow areas appear. With technological advancements and progress in the medical field, it has become quite easy to eliminate signs of aging and help individuals maintain a youthful and refreshed appearance. The surgical procedure used to lift sagging facial skin, remove wrinkles, and restore a smooth and firm face is called a facelift surgery.

Facelift surgery is performed to address the deformations most evident in the facial area due to aging. As a result, the individual not only appears 5-10 years younger but also gains smooth, firm, vibrant, and healthy-looking skin.

Who Is a Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery is suitable for individuals who are troubled by sagging, wrinkles, lines, and hollow areas in the face. For facelift surgery, the skin deformations must be at an advanced level. The surgery is performed on both men and women who wish to achieve a younger, more aesthetic, firm, and smooth complexion. The following conditions should also be met for a facelift procedure:

Which Areas Does Facelift Surgery Cover?

How Is Facelift Surgery Performed?

Facelift surgery is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. During the initial consultation, the individual’s facial deformities are examined, and the surgical method and details are planned. An incision is made along the ear line or within the hairline, and the upper layer of facial skin is lifted. Excess skin is trimmed and removed. The deeper tissues of the face are tightened and lifted. The facial muscles, along with the fat layer, are pulled upward. After suturing the incision sites, the face is bandaged. Facelift surgery typically lasts between 2–4 hours.

What Should Be Considered Before Facelift Surgery?

Before the facelift, the patient is examined to review their medical history, medications, and lifestyle habits. The surgeon assesses whether there are any risks for the procedure. To ensure a safe surgery, blood-thinning medications should be discontinued for a certain period, herbal teas should be avoided, and habits like smoking that involve nicotine should be reduced.

What Is the Recovery Process Like After Facelift Surgery?

After a facelift, patients usually stay in the hospital for one night. Swelling, redness, and bruising may appear on the face. Mild pain may be felt on the first day, and relief can be achieved with cold compresses and pain relievers under the doctor’s guidance. Stitches are removed after one week. A facial compression garment is worn during the first week. The healing process takes about 7–10 days. During this time, it is important to follow the doctor’s advice and pay attention to the following:

• You should sleep on your back. The facial area should be protected from impacts and contact.
• For the first 3 months, the face should be shielded from sunlight. When outdoors, use sunscreen, an umbrella, or a hat.
• Avoid hot baths and steam-filled environments.
• Refrain from strenuous activities.
• Drink plenty of water, consume healthy foods, and reduce nicotine-containing substances.
• It takes approximately 3 months to achieve the desired results after a facelift surgery.

What Are the Facelift Surgery Techniques?

The techniques used in facelift surgery are determined by the area of the face that needs to be lifted and the degree of deformation. The most commonly used facelift techniques include:

How Is Classic Facelift Surgery Performed?

Classic facelift surgery is a technique that includes the entire face and neck. It is applied to skin that has deteriorated in quality, sagging, wrinkled, lined, or sunken. The incision extends from the temple area within the hairline and continues in front of and behind the ear. The upper layer of the skin is lifted, and the underlying muscular tissues are raised and reshaped. Excess skin is trimmed and removed. The incision is closed with stitches. This procedure provides a tightening and lifting effect on the entire face and neck. Facial contours become more defined, and the face adopts an oval shape. Since the incision is made in the hairline and behind the ear, the scar is not visible.

How Is Mini Facelift Surgery Performed?

This technique is used to create a rejuvenation effect, particularly in the mid-face region. The incision is smaller compared to the classic facelift method. In mini facelift surgery, the upper layer of the skin is lifted, and the underlying muscle tissues are tightened and shaped. As a result, a firm, tight, and smooth skin is achieved in the cheeks, chin, and neck areas.

How Is Endoscopic Facelift Performed?

Small incisions are made in both temples, and an endoscopic camera is used to access the area. The soft tissues in the mid-face are lifted upwards and secured, providing a tightening and lifting effect in the mid-face region. In the endoscopic method, the incision scar is minimal, and there is no need to lift the entire skin of the face. This method can be easily applied to younger individuals and those with mild to moderate sagging.

Since the endoscopic facelift utilizes a camera system, it is performed using the latest technology. The procedure takes 1.5–2 hours, and the recovery time is shorter compared to a traditional facelift.

Is Non-Surgical Facelift Possible?

When Does Facial Sagging Begin?

Signs of aging, such as sagging, wrinkles, lines, and hollow areas, start appearing on the skin from the age of 30. Factors like genetics, nutrition, and personal care affect the intensity of these signs, with some people experiencing them more severely than others.

Facial deformities manifest in areas such as the forehead and around the eyes as wrinkles, lines between the eyebrows, volume loss and sagging in the cheeks and cheekbones, lines forming at the sides of the mouth, loss of jawline definition, and noticeable deformations in the jowl and neck area. While non-surgical and cosmetic treatments can offer solutions in the early years, signs of aging become more pronounced by the 50s. For advanced skin issues, facelift surgery is the only solution.

Facelift Surgery Costs

The cost of facelift surgery varies depending on several factors, including the chosen surgical method, the quality of materials used, additional procedures, and the surgeon’s experience. The price range is determined by the patient’s needs and their preferred treatment plan. For example, a minimally invasive facelift may differ in cost compared to more comprehensive and traditional methods. The quality of implants, suture materials, and other medical products used also affects the price. If you are considering combining facelift surgery with other aesthetic procedures, this will also impact the total cost.

To receive the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, you should visit our clinic for a professional consultation. During this consultation, your skin condition, aesthetic expectations, and health status will be evaluated, and a personalized treatment plan will be created. Additionally, necessary tests will be conducted, and you will be provided with detailed information about the most suitable methods.

Is Facelift Surgery Risky?

Facelift surgery can have risks such as bleeding, infection, asymmetry, impaired wound healing, and nerve damage. The surgeon takes the necessary precautions before and after surgery for individuals in risk groups to ensure a safe procedure.

Following the doctor’s pre- and post-operative instructions and maintaining proper hygiene and care of the facial area is crucial for achieving the desired outcome. For a safe and risk-free facelift surgery, it must be performed by a plastic surgeon in a Ministry of Health-approved facility.

What Are the Complications of Facelift Surgery?

Like any surgical procedure, facelift surgery carries the risk of complications. These can include stitch opening, infection, bleeding, wound deterioration, hair loss, numbness, and scar formation.

Before the facelift, the patient’s medical history and lifestyle are reviewed to take precautions against these risks. It’s essential for the patient to inform the doctor about any medications they are taking, reduce smoking, avoid unhealthy foods, and refrain from consuming herbal teas and blood-thinning medications to prevent complications. In surgeries performed by experienced and specialist doctors, all potential risks are identified and addressed beforehand to ensure they do not occur.

What Are the Advantages of Facelift Surgery?

The advantages of facelift surgery are as follows:

• Facial contours become sharper, and the face takes on an oval appearance.
• Wrinkles, lines, hollow areas, and sagging are eliminated. A firm, tight skin structure is achieved.
• The individual appears youthful and fit.
• The cheeks gain a voluminous, defined appearance.
• With the tightening effect around the eyes, visual function improves.
• A natural and healthy look is achieved.
• Smile lines become more defined.
• The jowl area is tightened, the jawline becomes more pronounced, and a smooth neck is achieved.

Will There Be Scars After Facelift Surgery?

The incisions made during a facelift are both small and placed in inconspicuous areas, such as the hairline and behind the ears. Therefore, scars are not noticeable after the surgery.

Will There Be Numbness After Facelift Surgery?

Some individuals may experience loss of sensation in the facial area after a facelift. This is a temporary condition, and numbness typically disappears within the healing process (maximum 7 days).

Is Facelift Surgery Permanent?

Facelift surgery provides long-lasting results. Although it varies from person to person, it typically lasts 7–15 years. Over time, gravity and aging may cause sagging and wrinkles to reappear. The facelift effect can be extended with minor surgical procedures or non-surgical treatments.

How Long Does Facelift Surgery Take?

The duration of facelift surgery varies depending on the technique used and whether additional procedures are included. On average, it takes 2–5 hours. Facelift surgery, performed under general anesthesia, is a comfortable procedure.

What Is the Recovery Time for Returning to Daily and Work Life After a Facelift?

The recovery period after a facelift is 7–10 days. During this time, swelling, redness, bruising, and pain diminish and disappear. The individual can return to their daily and work life once the recovery period is over (about one week).

Can Facelift Surgery Be Repeated?

The effects of a facelift diminish over time due to factors like aging and gravity. In such cases, a facelift can be performed again if desired. Additionally, the effects of the facelift can be prolonged by supporting it with alternative treatments before the facelift results completely fade.

What Is the Appropriate Age for Facelift Surgery?

Since every person’s skin ages differently due to genetic factors, signs of aging appear at different levels for everyone. Facelift surgery is most effective for advanced deformations and is typically performed after the age of 45–50. However, it can also be applied to younger patients with advanced deformities due to various reasons.

Is Facelift Surgery Painful?

Facelift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, so the patient does not feel anything during the procedure. Although some pain may occur after the surgery, relief can be provided through cold compresses and painkillers.

Can Men Undergo Facelift Surgery?

Like women, men also experience skin issues as they age. Men suffering from various skin problems, such as sagging, wrinkles, and hollow areas, can undergo facelift surgery to achieve a youthful and fit appearance.

Can Facelift Surgery Be Combined With Other Surgeries?

Facelift surgery can be combined with other procedures such as lip lift or eyelid aesthetics. Combining such procedures saves time and provides convenience during the recovery process.

Will It Be Obvious That I Had Facelift Surgery?

After a facelift, there are no visible marks or signs on the skin that indicate surgery. The individual will look younger, more aesthetic, and fit due to the facelift effect, which may be noticeable to those who know them. The changes on the face will manifest naturally.

When Are the Results of Facelift Surgery Visible?

The healing process, the settling of facial contours, and the achievement of the ideal appearance occur within 4–6 months after the facelift surgery. The speed and comfort of this process depend on the individual’s metabolism, adherence to the doctor’s instructions, and personal care practices.