A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is surgery that lifts and tightens the deeper tissues of the lower face and neck and removes excess skin. It reduces sagging in the midface and jawline, jowls, deep nose-to-mouth folds and loose neck skin, and suits adults showing facial ageing who still have some skin elasticity.
- AnaesthesiaGeneral anaesthesia or local with sedation
- DurationSeveral hours
- Hospital stayUsually one night
- Back to routineUsually 2 to 3 weeks
What is facelift?
With age the skin loses elasticity and facial volume, leading to jowls, deep wrinkles, sagging cheeks, lines from the nose to the mouth (nasolabial folds) and from the mouth corners to the chin (marionette lines), and loose neck skin. A facelift reshapes the lower face and removes excess skin to give a fresher, more youthful look.
Types include the deep plane lift, regarded as a gold-standard technique that repositions the whole face; the short-scar facelift (S-lift, MACS lift or minimal incision facelift) with a shorter incision at the temple or in front of the ear; the less invasive endoscopic facelift under local or intravenous anaesthesia; and the midface lift, which lifts sagging cheeks and softens nose-to-mouth lines.
A facelift mainly treats the lower two-thirds of the face. It does not change the eyelids; eyelid surgery, brow lift or neck contouring are separate procedures that can be done in the same operation.
Who is facelift for?
- Adults with sagging skin in the midface and along the jawline
- Deep nasolabial folds or marionette lines
- Jowls, fallen facial fat or a double chin from loose skin and fat
- Creased, sagging neck skin
- People who still have some skin elasticity and are in good general health
How is it done?
- Consultation on health, lifestyle and goals, with examination of skin, facial bones and neck
- Stop aspirin, anti-inflammatories and herbal supplements as advised; stop smoking 1 to 2 weeks before
- Traditional facelift: under general anaesthesia, an incision runs in front of and behind the ear; deeper tissues are tightened and excess skin and fat removed
- SMAS lift: the superficial musculoaponeurotic system and deeper layers are lifted before the skin is redraped
- Incisions are closed with sutures or skin adhesive; surgery usually takes several hours
What is recovery like?
- Keep the head elevated and avoid pressure or movement on the incisions
- Avoid tight clothing around the neck and take medicines as prescribed
- Swelling and bruising typically last two to three weeks
- Recovery is usually longer after a traditional facelift than after minimally invasive techniques
- Avoid sun exposure until scars are no longer pink; ask your surgeon when to resume hair washing and daily activities
What are the risks?
- Haematoma (bleeding under the skin), infection or poor wound healing
- Unfavourable scarring or hair loss at incisions, which is usually correctable
- Facial nerve injury causing weakness, usually temporary
- Numbness, skin discolouration, asymmetry or skin loss
- Fluid collection, persistent pain, suture irritation, or need for revision surgery
Why choose Dr. Jithendran?
- Dual training in orthopaedics (MS) and plastic surgery (MCh, DNB), with hand and microsurgery experience from Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore
- Consults at five hospitals across Bengaluru, with 24×7 availability for emergencies
- Clear explanations in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, and time to answer every question
- Strict sterilisation and patient-privacy standards
Frequently asked questions
What does a facelift treat?
A facelift treats sagging of the midface and jawline, jowls, deep folds from the nose to the mouth, marionette lines, fallen facial fat and loose neck skin. It mainly addresses the lower two-thirds of the face and does not change the eyelids or forehead on its own.
Can I have eyelid surgery at the same time as a facelift?
Yes. Eyelid surgery, a brow lift or neck contouring can be performed in the same operation, although they are separate procedures. If your concern is only the eyes or neck, a smaller procedure such as an eyelid lift or neck lift may be enough.
What is the difference between a deep plane and a short-scar facelift?
A deep plane facelift lifts tissues beneath the muscle layer and repositions the whole face; it is more extensive. A short-scar facelift, such as the S-lift or MACS lift, uses a shorter incision at the temple or in front of the ear and suits milder sagging.
How long is recovery after a facelift?
Swelling and bruising typically last two to three weeks. Recovery is usually longer after a traditional facelift than after minimally invasive methods. Keep your head elevated, avoid tight collars and protect scars from the sun until they fade.
How long do facelift results last?
A facelift sets back visible signs of ageing, and results typically last many years. However, the face continues to age naturally after surgery. Avoiding smoking, protecting your skin from the sun and maintaining a stable weight help prolong the result.
