Best Face & Neck Surgeons in Turkey

What is face and neck aesthetics?

Face and neck aesthetics is the general name for surgical procedures that correct sagging, volume loss and proportion differences in the lower, middle or upper face and the neck. With age, skin loses elasticity and facial fat pads slide downwards. The jawline becomes less defined, and the neck may develop loose skin and bands. These changes progress at different speeds in different people. Genetics, sun exposure, smoking and weight changes all play a role.

This category includes several procedures that complement each other rather than a single operation. Facelift, medically called rhytidectomy, targets sagging in the lower half of the face and the neck. A brow lift treats the forehead and brows, and double chin surgery treats the area under the chin. Cheek and lip procedures deal more with volume and proportion. The surgeon decides which procedure or combination suits you at the consultation.

How is a facelift done?

A facelift lifts the layer of muscle and connective tissue under the skin (SMAS) and removes excess skin. Pulling only the skin can look artificial, so most current techniques also treat the deeper layers. More detail is on the facelift page.

1. Skin quality, the degree of sagging and the facial bone structure are assessed.
2. Surgery is done under general anaesthesia, or local anaesthetic with sedation.
3. The incision usually starts in the hair at the temple, runs in front of the ear and continues behind it.
4. The deep layer is repositioned, and the neck muscle is tightened if needed.
5. Excess skin is removed and the incisions are closed. A thin drain may be placed to prevent blood collecting.

A facelift usually takes several hours. Adding neck, eyelid or brow procedures makes it longer. If volume loss is a main concern, fat grafting can be planned in the same session.

Who is face and neck aesthetics suitable for, and who should avoid it?

Face and neck surgery is considered for people with clear sagging in the face or neck whose general health allows surgery. A stable weight helps preserve the result. The surgeon decides suitability after an examination. The following can raise risk or require a delay:

• Smoking, because it reduces blood flow to the skin and increases wound problems
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure, which raises bleeding risk
• Use of blood thinners
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Major weight loss planned in the near future
• Unrealistic expectations about the result

For mild sagging or volume loss alone, non-surgical options can be discussed. Filler can support the cheeks and jawline, but it does not lift loose skin.

How long is recovery after a facelift?

Most people return to social life within about two to three weeks after a facelift. Swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are normal at first. A drain, if used, is usually removed in the first days. Stitches come out within one to two weeks. Numbness around the ears and cheeks can last a few months.

Heavy exercise, saunas and direct sun are usually avoided for several weeks. Sleeping with the head raised and not turning the head sharply in the first days are advised. The final look can take a few months to settle. Wait for your surgeon's approval before colouring your hair near the incisions. Regular check-ups help catch problems early.

How long does a facelift last?

A facelift does not stop ageing; it corrects sagging as it is at the time of surgery. Results change over time as ageing continues. How long the effect lasts depends on skin quality, age, weight changes and sun protection.

What are the risks of face and neck aesthetics?

The most common serious risk of face and neck surgery is a collection of blood under the skin (haematoma). Other risks include:

• Temporary or, rarely, permanent weakness of facial nerve branches
• Loss of sensation around the ears or cheeks
• Poor blood supply at skin edges, more common in smokers
• Hair loss along the incision line
• Visible or thickened scars
• Change in the shape of the earlobe
• Asymmetry or a pulled look
• Infection and reactions to anaesthesia

If one side of your face swells quickly or becomes very painful in the first days, tell your surgeon at once. A haematoma found early can be drained.

What affects the cost of face and neck aesthetics?

The cost varies widely depending on how many areas are treated and the technique used. Price ranges are shown in a separate section of this page. Main factors are:

• A full facelift or a more limited procedure
• Adding neck, brow or eyelid surgery
• Whether fat grafting is included
• Length of surgery and type of anaesthesia
• Length of hospital stay
• The city where the facility is located

What should you look for when choosing a face and neck surgeon?

Choose a surgeon from a specialty with solid experience in facial anatomy and facial surgery. In Turkey these operations are mostly performed by plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons. Ear, nose and throat specialists working in facial plastic surgery also perform some of them. You can compare face and neck surgeons in the doctor list by city. At the consultation, check:

• The surgeon's specialty certification and facelift experience
• Which tissue layers will be treated and where the incisions will run
• The licensed hospital where surgery will take place
• Who will give the anaesthesia
• How to reach the team if an early problem such as bleeding occurs
• The schedule of follow-up visits

How do the types of face and neck aesthetics differ?

Face and neck procedures differ by the area they treat and the cause of the problem. Facelift focuses on sagging in the lower face and neck. Double chin surgery targets fat under the chin. Lip surgery changes the distance between the nose and upper lip or the lip volume. The table gives a general comparison.

For procedures that reduce volume, such as buccal fat removal, the surgeon considers that the face may naturally thin with age. Planning looks at the years ahead, not only the present.