Facelift and Rejuvenation : what is it?
Ageing is not simply loose skin: fat pads descend, volume is lost and the bony structure changes. That is why a modern facelift is not merely tightening skin. The muscle-fascia layer beneath the skin (SMAS) is suspended separately, and lost volume is replaced with fat grafting where needed. Skipping that layer is precisely what produces the tight, artificial look. A properly performed facelift does not make someone resemble a different person; it returns their own face in a more rested form.
Who is a suitable candidate?
- Sagging cheeks and deepening lines at the corners of the mouth
- A blurred jawline, laxity and banding in the neck
- Generally aged 40 and over, with some skin elasticity preserved
- Non-smokers in suitable general health
- Those whose expectation is to look more rested, not to change their identity
How is it performed?
Incisions begin within the hairline, follow the natural crease in front of the ear and end behind it. Planned correctly, the scars are hidden in the hair and the folds of the ear.
Once the skin is lifted, the SMAS layer is suspended separately upwards and backwards. The tension is placed on this layer, not on the skin; that is the key to a natural result.
Where the neck is lax, the platysma muscles are joined in the midline through a small incision under the chin (platysmaplasty), with liposuction of the under-chin area added if needed.
Fat can be injected into areas of volume loss such as the temples, cheekbones and under the eyes. A facelift is often planned together with eyelid surgery.
Recovery
The timeline below shows an average course. Your personal recovery depends on your age, skin quality, smoking and the extent of the operation.
The face is dressed and a drain may be in place. Pain is less than expected; the main sensation is tightness and pressure. The head is kept elevated.
Swelling and bruising peak on days 3 – 5. Sutures are removed on day 7 – 10. Numbness of the face and loss of sensation around the ears are normal.
Bruising largely resolves and can be covered with make-up. After week 3 most people return to social life. Strenuous exercise is postponed until week 4.
Tissues soften, the feeling of tightness disappears and the result looks natural. Scars fade over the first year. Sensation around the ears returns within a few months.
Possible risks
Every surgical procedure carries risk. Knowing them is not meant to frighten you but to let you decide with full awareness. Each point is discussed individually at your consultation.
- Haematoma (blood collection), the most common early complication
- Temporary or, rarely, permanent weakness of the facial nerve
- Compromised blood supply to the skin, particularly in smokers
- Scar quality worse than expected; change in the hairline
- Asymmetry and loss of sensation
- Change in the shape of the earlobe
This page is for general information and does not replace a consultation. The method that may apply to you, the expected outcome and the risks can only be determined after a medical examination.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the result last?
The operation turns back the clock but does not stop it. The effect is usually described as 8 – 12 years; ageing continues from this new point.
Will it look artificial?
When the tension is placed on the SMAS layer rather than the skin, and volume loss is addressed, an artificial look does not occur. Artificial results usually come from techniques that tighten only the skin.
Is it the same as thread lifting?
No. Threads give a limited, temporary effect and do not remove sagging tissue. Where sagging is significant they are not an alternative to surgery.
When can I return to work?
For work without cameras or face-to-face meetings, 2 weeks; for highly visible roles, 3 weeks.
