Best Facelift Surgeons in Turkey

What is a facelift?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is an operation that repositions the sagging tissues of the lower face and neck and removes excess skin. It mainly targets jowls, a blurred jawline and deep lines from the nose to the mouth corners. It does not change forehead lines or under-eye bags, which need other procedures.

Modern facelifts work on the SMAS, the layer of muscle and connective tissue under the skin. Lifting this layer supports the result and avoids a pulled look. For the wider group of face and neck procedures, see the face and neck aesthetics page.

What types of facelift are there?

Facelift types differ mainly in how deep the surgeon works and how long the incisions are.

• SMAS facelift: The SMAS layer is tightened or partly removed and folded, then the skin is redraped.
• Deep plane facelift: The surgeon releases the SMAS and the skin together as one unit and moves them as a block. This can treat the midface and the nose-to-mouth lines more strongly.
• Mini or short scar facelift: A shorter incision is used for milder sagging, usually with a smaller lift.

The right type depends on your anatomy and skin. Your surgeon explains why a particular technique is suggested.

How is a facelift done?

A facelift usually takes about three and a half hours, and longer if combined with other procedures.

1. Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia, or local anaesthetic with deep sedation.
2. Incision: The cut runs from the temple hairline, in front of the ear and around behind it.
3. Deep layer work: The SMAS is lifted, tightened or released depending on the technique.
4. Neck: A small cut under the chin may be added to tighten neck muscles.
5. Skin: The skin is redraped without tension and the excess is trimmed.
6. Closure: Incisions are closed in layers. A drain and a light dressing may be placed.

Who is a facelift suitable for?

A facelift suits healthy adults with visible jowls, a less defined jawline or loose skin in the lower face. Good candidates usually:

• Do not smoke, or can stop for several weeks before and after surgery
• Have a stable weight
• Have well-controlled blood pressure
• Expect a refreshed version of their face rather than a new one

People with mostly volume loss and little sagging may benefit more from fat grafting or filler. Those with sagging limited to the neck may need only a neck lift.

What is recovery like after a facelift?

Most people return to social activities within about three weeks after a facelift. The general timeline is:

• Week 1: Swelling and bruising peak. Drains are removed early and the head is kept raised.
• Weeks 1 to 2: Stitches are removed in stages.
• Weeks 2 to 3: Most bruising fades. Light activity resumes.
• Months 3 to 6: Swelling and numbness settle and scars soften.

Strenuous exercise is usually avoided for about four to six weeks. Your surgeon will give you exact timings.

What are the specific risks of a facelift?

The specific risks of a facelift centre on bleeding, nerves and the healing of skin flaps.

• Haematoma: Blood collecting under the skin, usually in the first day. It is more common in men and people with high blood pressure.
• Facial nerve injury: Weakness of facial movement is usually temporary but can rarely be permanent. Deeper techniques need a surgeon experienced in that plane.
• Skin loss at the edges: Much more likely in smokers.
• Scar and ear changes: Wide scars, a hairline shift or a pulled earlobe.
• Numbness: Around the ears and cheeks, usually improving over months.

How does a facelift compare with a neck lift and non-surgical options?

A facelift treats the lower face and usually the upper neck, a neck lift treats the neck alone, and non-surgical options give smaller, temporary changes.

What affects the cost of a facelift?

The cost of a facelift depends mainly on the technique and on any added procedures. Factors include:

• SMAS, deep plane or short scar technique
• Adding a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift or fat grafting
• Length of surgery and type of anaesthesia
• Hospital stay and follow-up visits
• The surgeon's experience and the city

The exact fee is given after examination. Choose a plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who performs facelifts regularly. You can compare doctors who perform facelifts by city in the doctor listings.