Facelift FAQ

A facelift is surgery that lifts sagging facial tissue and removes loose skin through skin incisions. At Steady Plastic Surgery, the fascial layer beneath the skin (the SMAS layer) is released, the sagging tissue is pulled back into place, and the excess skin is removed. The surgery takes 2 hours or more and is performed under IV sedation.

A facelift may be considered when sagging skin and tissue, deep wrinkles, and loose skin have blurred the contours of the face. This sagging often comes with jowls along the jawline and beside the mouth, and deeper nasolabial folds (smile lines).

A facelift involves skin incisions, so it does leave scars, but because the incisions are placed in the creases in front of the ear, behind the ear, and inside the scalp, they are often not very noticeable after recovery. The length and position of the incisions are planned individually based on the degree of sagging, and how noticeable the scars become depends on skin type, constitution, and aftercare.

Returning to daily activities after a facelift takes 1–2 weeks; stitches are removed 7–10 days after surgery, and you visit 2–3 times for follow-up checks. Swelling and bruising are worst on days 2–3, and cold compresses for 7 days and sleeping with your head elevated for 3–5 days can help. Until the stitches are removed, keep water away from your face and head.

Wearing a compression band after a facelift is recommended, because it helps reduce swelling and bruising and helps the lifted tissue settle into place. For 7 days after surgery, wear it 24 hours a day except during meals and showers, and from 2 weeks until 2 months after surgery, wear it only while sleeping.

After a facelift, stop aspirin-type medications, vitamin E, and multivitamins for 1 week to reduce the risk of bleeding. Until the stitches are removed, apply the prescribed ointment to the incisions morning and evening, and do not pick at scabs. To prevent inflammation and tissue damage, avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 4 weeks, and it is best to avoid strenuous exercise, swimming, saunas, and heated spas for 4 weeks as well.

After a facelift, swelling, bruising, a tight feeling, and reduced sensation in the treated area can occur, and sensory changes gradually improve over several months. During recovery, the area may temporarily feel firm or lumpy, and rarely hematoma, scarring, asymmetry, or facial nerve injury can occur. If swelling or bruising grows quickly, or you have difficulty moving one side of your face, contact the clinic immediately.

Facelift results tend to last a long time, because the surgery does not just pull the skin but releases the fascia layer and repositions the sagging tissue itself. However, aging continues after surgery, so some sagging may return over time, and how long results last varies with skin condition and lifestyle.

A facelift is decided by the degree of skin and tissue sagging rather than by age. When sagging is mild, a thread lift or other lifting treatments often bring improvement, and when sagging is significant and the jawline and facial contours have lost definition, a facelift may be considered even at a relatively young age. The approach is decided after checking the degree of sagging and skin elasticity during the consultation.

The cost of a facelift depends on the extent of the incision and release, whether it is combined with procedures such as an endoscopic brow lift or fat graft, and whether it is a revision. Because the extent of surgery varies with the degree of facial sagging, an exact cost can be given after consultation.

A thread lift lifts sagging tissue with threads without incisions, while a facelift is surgery that involves skin incisions, releases the fascia layer to reposition sagging tissue, and removes excess skin. When sagging is mild, a thread lift often brings improvement, and when there is a lot of loose skin that needs to be removed, a facelift is considered. The approach is decided after checking the degree of sagging during the consultation.