Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

Facelift surgery targets age-related facial changes caused by loss of skin elasticity, muscle tone, and fat volume. Over time, gravity and ageing leads to drooping skin around the cheeks, jawline and neck.

During a facelift, the surgeon makes discrete incisions (often around the hairline and behind the ears), lifts and tightens the underlying muscles and connective tissue  layers, removes excess skin, and re-drapes the remaining tissue to restore youthful contours. Modern techniques focus on natural results - enhancing the patient’s features without an “overdone” look.

Who is a candidate?

• Men and women who:
  • Have facial sagging, deep creases, or jowls
  • Show neck laxity or double chin despite healthy weight
  • Have good skin elasticity and bone structure
  • Are in good general health and non-smokers
  • Have realistic expectations about outcomes.

Recovery timeline

May vary with provider.

• Hospital stay: Usually day surgery or 1 night.
• Initial recovery:
  
  • Swelling, bruising, and tightness for 2–3 weeks
  • Dressings removed after a few days; sutures removed within 5–10 days
• Return to light activities: 2–3 weeks
• Resume exercise and social events: 4–6 weeks (once swelling subsides)
• Final results: Visible at 2–3 months, with scars continuing to fade over time.

Benefits

• Smooths wrinkles and reduces sagging of cheeks, jawline, and neck
• Restores youthful facial contours and natural definition
• Enhances confidence and facial harmony without altering identity
• Long-lasting results - often 8–12 years, depending on lifestyle and skin care
• Can be combined with other rejuvenation procedures for comprehensive improvement.

Risks

• Bruising, swelling, or temporary numbness
• Bleeding or blood clot formation
• Infection or poor wound healing (higher in smokers)
• Facial nerve injury (usually temporary, rarely permanent)
• Asymmetry or contour irregularities
• Scarring (typically well-hidden in hairline or natural creases).

A facelift rejuvenates the midface, jawline, and neck by tightening skin and underlying structures - producing natural, long-lasting results. It remains the gold-standard surgical option for facial aging, offering comprehensive restoration of youthful definition and confidence.

This is just an outline. Your specialist surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.