Facelift Guide: Types of Facelifts, Costs and Recovery
If you look in the mirror and feel much younger in your body and mind than the face staring back at you, there are steps you can take to achieve more balance. A facelift is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery in the UK, and for good reason. Lifting the facial tissue and muscle is an effective way to rejuvenate the features, achieve a more youthful look and increase your self-esteem and confidence.
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a relatively simple procedure to lift the facial skin, deep tissue and surrounding muscles to make the face appear smoother and tighter. When it’s performed well, a facelift will make a visible difference to your face without it being obvious you have had a procedure.
Facelift does not describe a single procedure. There are several types of facelift, with each using a different technique to achieve a unique result. Here we describe the various facelifts available and the factors involved in determining the most appropriate treatment for our patients. We also outline the key points to consider before getting a facelift procedure.
What is a facelift?
A facelift is a general term for the group of surgical cosmetic procedures that reposition, tighten and remove skin, fat and muscle to reduce the visual signs of ageing in the face and neck.
As we age, the skin and muscles lose their elasticity, leading to lines, wrinkles and a tired and aged appearance. That is particularly evident around the face, neck and chin, causing deep-seated wrinkles and excess skin. By tightening the skin and muscles, we can create a smooth, defined and more youthful appearance.
A facelift can improve several signs of ageing, including:
- Sagging or relaxed facial skin
- Deep crease lines around the mouth and nose
- Dropping skin on the cheeks and chin
- Excess skin or fat in the neck (often called a double chin)
- Sagging appearance of the cheeks due to fat that is falling or lacking
- Excess skin around the jawline
- The appearance of excess skin following weight loss
What are the different types of facelift?
Several types of facelift can help you achieve your goals. Your surgeon will discuss the various methods during your consultation and recommend the most appropriate technique based on the areas you want to target, your skin elasticity and facial structure.
Traditional facelift
A traditional facelift is the most common facelift we perform at Enhance Medical and is best suited to moderate to significant facial ageing. The surgeon makes an incision that runs along the hairline from one ear to the other. They then separate your skin from the underlying tissue so they can access and tighten the facial muscles and remove excess fat from your face, neck and jowls. They then stretch the skin back across the face, stitch it into place and remove any excess.
MACS facelift (mini-facelift)
The MACS technique, short for minimal access cranial suspension, involves several smaller incisions to reduce the scarring. The surgeon tightens the facial muscles and removes excess fat through the incisions, which they stitch at the end of the procedure. This type of facelift is best suited to patients with more moderate facial sagging. It is less invasive, quicker and has a faster recovery time than a traditional facelift but the results may not last as long.
SMAS facelift
The SMAS facelift, short for superficial musculoaponeurotic system, is a technique that targets the lower face and neck to improve the appearance of wrinkles, jowls and sagging skin. The surgeon makes an incision downwards from the temple to remove excess skin from the cheeks and neck and lift the tissue and muscle that sags with age. It’s less invasive than a traditional facelift with a shorter recovery time, but the results are more subtle. That makes it better suited to younger patients who want to address the early signs of ageing.
Mid-facelift
A mid-facelift is a targeted procedure that addresses the area below the lower eyelids and around the cheeks. The surgeon makes small incisions along the hairline and in your lower eyelid or inside the mouth. They then use surgical instruments to reposition the fat in your cheek and tighten the skin around the cheekbone. The aim is to eliminate sagging, smooth the contours and lift the cheeks.
Skin-only facelift
A skin-only facelift, also known as a cutaneous facelift, is a procedure to tighten and remove excess skin from the neck and lower face. The surgeon makes incisions in front of the ear so they can separate the top layer of skin from the muscles underneath. They then tighten and remove excess skin to leave it wrinkle-free. As this procedure only targets the skin and not the muscles underneath it, the results can be relatively short-lived.
At Enhance Medical, we perform the traditional facelift and MACS facelift, which is a type of mini-facelift. We believe these two procedures provide the best results for those with significant and more moderate signs of ageing.
Which type of facelift is best for me?
That depends on what you want to achieve, your age, how advanced the signs of ageing are and their location.
A minimal access cranial suspension (MACS) is the procedure we typically recommend for middle-aged patients. That’s because, at this stage, the signs of ageing are usually relatively minor and this procedure provides long-lasting results with minimal surgical intervention.
Good candidates for a traditional facelift tend to be older, typically in their 50s or 60s, and have more significant signs of ageing. This procedure is more comprehensive and targets the face, neck and jawline. It also provides more extensive rejuvenation and longer-lasting results.
When determining the right facelift procedure for you, our surgeons will consider the following factors:
- Your goals
- The extent of the correction required
- Where the ageing occurs – the upper, middle or lower face and neck
- The location and length of the incision and subsequent scar
- Your skin elasticity
- The sagginess and volume deflation of the soft tissue
- Your baseline facial anatomy and bone structure
- The length of recovery and the downtime that’s acceptable to you
- Your general health
Things to consider before getting a facelift
Choosing to have a facelift is a big decision. The procedure is invasive and, in the case of a traditional facelift, it is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. There are also a few other things to consider before going ahead.
Health
You should be in good physical health and not have any conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, that could impact your body’s ability to recover from the surgery or lead to a higher risk of complications. You should also be mentally well and have realistic expectations of the results.
Age
The best candidates for facelift surgery are typically in their 40s, 50s and 60s. They have signs of facial ageing and enough skin elasticity to ensure long-term results. That said, people who are older and sometimes younger (for example, those who have lost a lot of weight) can also be suitable.
Expectations
A facelift can make your face look tighter and more youthful and reduce the appearance of lines and creases. However, it cannot address fine wrinkles or sun damage. The results of a traditional facelift typically last 10-15 years but your face will continue to age after the surgery.
Side effects and risks
As with any surgical procedure, there are side effects and risks you should be aware of. Side effects include scarring, swelling and potentially some numbness. Among the potential complications are hematomas, infection, wound healing issues and even facial nerve injury. Your surgeon will discuss all the complications with you during your consultation.
Recovery
The surgeon will usually remove the bandages within a few days of your facelift procedure. You can expect your face to be bruised and swollen for around two weeks after the surgery but you should feel comfortable after a few days. Most patients take at least two weeks off after a traditional facelift but only five to 10 days after a mini facelift. You can expect to see the early results of the procedure after four to six weeks.
Choosing a surgeon
Look for a surgeon with specific experience performing facelifts and ask to see before and after pictures of previous patients to give you a realistic idea of the results. Reputable clinics offer free initial consultations so you can talk to multiple surgeons before you commit. You should choose a surgeon who answers your questions honestly, makes you feel comfortable and has the necessary experience.
How much does a facelift cost in the UK?
At Enhance Medical, a traditional facelift costs £6,995 while a MACS facelift (mini-facelift) is £5,995. That price includes comprehensive aftercare, a full warranty package, 24-hour emergency contact numbers for your nursing team and everything else you need for complete peace of mind.
Read more about our pricing and finance options.
Achieve your goals with facelift surgery at Enhance Medical
If you are considering a facelift procedure or would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact our team. You can ask any questions and book a free consultation at one of our locations throughout the UK. Our surgeons will guide you through your options in a pressure-free environment and provide the highest possible standard of individual care.