Face and Neck Lift

Everything About Facelift and Rejuvenation

It is possible to have a face that does not look like it has had surgery and has a tight appearance.

Success in Facelift Facelift, one of the facial rejuvenation methods and the most effective one, is an operation aimed at lifting and tightening sagging facial tissues to achieve a more natural and youthful facial appearance. If you think you need a facelift, you can consult with our partner clinics expert and experienced surgeons to plan your surgery.

What is Facelift Surgery?

As age progresses, wrinkles and sagging in the face increase due to factors such as gravity, environmental factors, and genetic background. Facelift and neck lift surgeries are performed to eliminate or reduce these sagging and wrinkles mentioned above. With the applied facial rejuvenation methods and neck rejuvenation methods, an appearance almost 10 years younger can be achieved.

Facelift surgery is a procedure performed to correct sagging and deformities in the chin line and neck area over time, as well as to remove excess skin in front of the ear and deep wrinkles on the face. Incisions made starting from the hairline of the ear remove excess skin. With this application, the visible effects of aging on the face and neck are significantly reduced.

Facelift application is particularly effective for cheek lifting, chin lifting, and neck lifting. Another phenomenon observed with sagging is fat atrophy, also known as fat tissue melting, where the amount of fat tissue decreases over time. When fat injection is applied together with the operation, both sagging is eliminated and the decreased fat tissue is supplemented.

What Are the Options for Facelift Surgery?

There are two different methods: mini facelift and standard facelift. In addition to these, neck lift can be added for patients in need. Patients with mild sagging in their skin, who are relatively younger, are generally good candidates for a mini facelift. Standard, or traditional, surgeries are performed to address problems in the face and neck areas that occur in middle and older ages. They aim for facial rejuvenation and neck rejuvenation. The recovery time for a standard facelift surgery is longer than that for a mini facelift surgery.

How Is Facelift Surgery Performed?

In addition to non-surgical applications performed with injections, facelift surgeries can also be performed with surgery when there are complaints such as sagging and deformation in the skin.

Before the surgery, an examination is conducted to determine the type of aging and especially the areas of deformation on the face.

In facelift surgery, the skin is shaped with all its layers. During the surgery, the incision made on the skin intervenes in the connective tissues under the skin, mimic muscles, and sagging tissues downward. With this intervention, loosened, sagging tissues are restored to their former state, and skin disorders are corrected.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for Facelift?

If the signs of aging on your face make you look tired or sad, facial skin tightening surgery may be suitable for you. If you have loose facial skin and realistic expectations, are over 40 years old, are physically healthy, and can take special care of your skin during the recovery period, you may be a suitable candidate for a facelift. There are factors more important than age for facelift. Your medical history, overall health status, medications, and past facial surgeries are evaluated to determine if you are a suitable candidate.

What Is the Duration of the Effectiveness of Facelift Surgery?

There are surgical and non-surgical facelift methods available to look younger, healthier, and more energetic. While the appearance obtained with non-surgical facelift methods is generally short-term and temporary, the situation is different with surgical facelift methods. Facelift surgery, also known as facial rejuvenation surgery, can make a person look about 5 to 10 years younger. However, aging continues after facelift surgery. In other words, the youthful appearance obtained after surgery is permanent for about 10 years. In addition, various factors such as stress, lack of sleep, unhealthy and unbalanced diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, excessive and unprotected sun exposure, and sedentary lifestyle can cause the appearance obtained with facelift surgery to be lost at an earlier age.

Sagging: Sagging in the middle part of the face is effectively eliminated.

Deep Wrinkles: Provides an effective solution for deep wrinkles in the lower eyelids, mouth, and nose.

Loose Skin: Excessive oily or loose skin under the chin and cheeks with falling or displaced facial fat.

How Does the Post-Operative Process Work for Facelift Surgery?

Swelling decreases rapidly by 60% in the first 2 weeks, but the process is slower and takes more time for the remaining swelling. Avoiding salt and keeping the head elevated while sleeping helps with the process. 80% of the swelling decreases after 3 months. At the end of 6 months, there is a decrease between 85% and 90%. The remaining 10% of swelling may take until the end of 1 year to subside. This process works at different speeds for each patient. Following diets that reduce salt two weeks before surgery also helps with the process.

Within the first 2 weeks after the surgery, swelling and bruising largely disappear. You can return to your normal life. For 3 months, avoiding salt and keeping the head elevated while sleeping helps with the process. After 3 months, 80% of the swelling decreases. It may take up to 6 months for your skin to fully settle on your face. At the end of 6 months, there is a decrease of about 90% in swelling. The remaining 10% of swelling decreases by the end of 1 year. This process works at different speeds for each patient.

What Are the Risks of Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgeries are safe when performed by well-trained professionals. Like any surgery, facelift procedures carry some risks. Infection is possible, but it is rarely seen due to the abundant blood supply in the face. Additionally, if a patient does not smoke, the recovery process generally goes smoothly. Temporary nerve damage and temporary loss of function in some facial muscles may be observed in about 5-10% of patients.

How Long Do the Effects of the Operation Last?

The results of facelift surgery are generally long-lasting. Therefore, patients can enjoy their rejuvenated appearance for years to come. Of course, the face will continue to age naturally after the surgery, but patients will continue to look younger compared to conditions without the operation.

Is There an Age Limit for Facelift Surgery?

There are factors more important than age for facelifts. It is more important to evaluate your medical history, overall health condition, medications you take, and any previous facial surgeries. If you believe that facelift surgery will make you happier and more confident, age is not a barrier to achieving the look you desire. Performing a facelift surgery on a 70-year-old patient is completely normal and smooth. However, it is important for patients of this age to have more realistic expectations. It is possible to look 15 years younger, but it is not realistic to expect to look like you’re 30 again.

Is Non-Surgical Facelift Possible?

Apart from facelift bands and non-surgical procedures such as thread lifting or injection for facelift purposes, surgical facelift is also possible.

What Is Neck Lift?

The neck area is one of the first areas where signs of aging are felt, similar to the face. Neck sagging can occur at an early age due to genetic predisposition or weight fluctuations. Neck lift surgery can be performed due to complaints such as loose skin structure, excess fat tissue, sagging muscle structure, deformities referred to as turkey neck, and prominent neck bands.

Will There Be Scars After Facelift Surgery?

One of the main questions about facelift surgeries is whether there will be scars after the surgery. Since facelift surgery is performed with small incisions of 1 to 2 millimeters in endoscopic methods and incisions in front of and behind the ear within the hairline in facelift surgery, it is very difficult to see the scars once they heal. In classic methods, these incisions are placed in front of and behind the ear and are hidden between the natural lines of the face, becoming almost invisible over time.

Which Facelift Method Is Suitable for Me?

Facelift surgery varies according to each patient’s needs, and an aesthetic surgeon will shape the technique accordingly. Patients with mild sagging of the skin are generally good candidates for a mini facelift. Standard, or traditional, procedures are applied to problems in the face and neck area that occur in middle and older age.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Facelift?

Swelling and bruising may occur after the operation. Since the incisions are hidden, they are rarely significant. Temporary numbness of the face is inevitable but gradually returns to normal within a few months. Occasionally, a hematoma may require drainage, and rarely, this condition may require surgery.

What Are the Differences Between Facelift Techniques?

Firstly, it’s essential to understand the concepts of the “upper face,” “middle face,” and “lower face.” The “upper face” generally encompasses everything above your eyes, primarily your brow line and forehead. The “middle face” includes the area between the outer corners of your eyes and the outer corners of your mouth, encompassing the nose, cheeks, and the area above your upper lip. Lastly, the “lower face” region is below the corners of your mouth, covering your laugh lines and jawline. In most cases, lower facelift surgery targets the area below the chin and the neck.

The concept of facelift surgery is often misunderstood. Patients tend to assume that facelift surgery treats all three areas of the face at once, but actually, this surgery usually addresses the lower two-thirds of the face, meaning everything below the upper edge of the ears. On the other hand, upper facelift (or brow lift) surgery is a separate procedure. It can be performed simultaneously with facelift surgery depending on the patient’s needs.

What Should Be Done After Facelift Surgery?

If you’re looking for ways to maintain the results of your facelift surgery for a long time, starting with the five recommendations below would be very beneficial.

Take Sunscreen Seriously Exposure to the sun is one of the primary causes of aging since UV rays damage essential proteins in your skin. This can accelerate the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin, which can negatively affect the results of your facelift surgery. Using sunscreen every day and consciously avoiding tanning helps protect your skin from sun damage and accelerated aging due to UV exposure. Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out Another way to have good and healthy-looking skin and maintain the results of your facelift surgery for a long time is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains positively affects the appearance of your skin and delays skin aging.

Another thing as important as consuming the right foods is to stop consuming the wrong ones. For example, sugar is the enemy of your anti-aging efforts because it triggers a chemical process called glycation. During this process, sugar molecules damage the proteins, lipids, and other important molecules needed for healthy skin. Use the Right Skincare Products Good lifestyle habits like using sunscreen and eating a balanced diet are also crucial parts of maintaining the results of facelift surgery. On the other side of this equation is using topical skincare products tailored to your skin type and concerns. Medical skincare products containing retinoids, peptides, and antioxidants can be excellent tools to brighten and smooth the skin. Benefit from Cosmetic Treatments Cosmetic treatments can act as an extension of your regular daily skincare routine and support the results of your facelift surgery. For example, laser surface treatments gently remove the top layer of the skin, revealing smoother and younger-looking skin cells underneath. Another skin rejuvenation treatment is chemical peeling. If you have recently undergone facelift surgery, consult your plastic surgeon on how long you should wait before undergoing a non-surgical cosmetic treatment. You need to make sure you are fully healed before proceeding.

What Should I Expect from Facelift Surgery?

To allow your tissues to heal properly, it is recommended to avoid strenuous physical activities for 2 weeks after surgery. Walking and non-physical activities can be done. However, exercise should be avoided during the first 2 weeks.

Facial swelling is expected and may be more pronounced 24-72 hours after the procedure than immediately after surgery. Keeping your head elevated and sitting upright for several days after surgery will help minimize swelling. Swelling typically diminishes gradually within 10 days. Bleeding: A small amount of bleeding and tissue fluid leakage along the suture lines may occur for several days after surgery. Severe or non-stop bleeding is rare and is a condition you should inform your doctor about.

Your doctor will tell you when you can return to your normal activities and work level. After the surgery, your surgeon will provide detailed instructions for your postoperative care to you and your caregiver, if any.

What Other Cosmetic Procedures Can Be Combined with Facelift?

Neck lift and brow lift are often performed together. These procedures help maintain facial balance and provide more pronounced and dramatic results. However, to ensure safety and good results, patients should choose surgeons experienced in all areas of facial plastic surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can Facelift Be Applied to My Eyelids?

The main goal of facelift surgery is to address sagging in the cheek area, cheeks, jawline, and neck. However, it is possible to achieve much better results and an effective rejuvenation effect by evaluating the forehead, eyebrows, and eyelids comprehensively and performing appropriate interventions in the same session when necessary. After all, your eyes and forehead are part of your face. However, what is actually meant is the facial contour, cheeks, and jawline.

How Does Facelift Yield Long-Term Results?

When performed by an experienced, board-certified aesthetic surgeon, a facelift procedure reduces the effects of aging on the face. However, nothing can stop the normal aging process, but you will always look younger than you would have without facial plastic surgery.

What Happens on the Day of Surgery?

The operation can be performed in a hospital or an independent surgical facility. When you are ready for surgery, your surgeon and medical team will implement the plan you agreed upon. Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation (general anesthesia). You can know what to expect before your procedure begins. After your surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery unit where you will be closely monitored. Dressings may be applied to the incision sites, and a small tube behind one or both ears may be present to drain excess blood and fluid. After your surgeon’s approval, you can go home and rest. Someone should be available to drive you home due to anesthesia. Having someone with you for the first 24 to 48 hours can be helpful.

What Is the Best Age for Facelift?

Waiting for significant skin aging will decrease your chances of getting the best results for facelift. Starting the facelift process early is best for various reasons: Visible facial aging changes begin in the early 30s for most people.

Why Should I Consider Facelift Surgery?

As you age, your skin begins to lose elasticity and facial tissues lose volume. Eventually, this results in jowls, neckbands, deep wrinkles, and loose skin on the neck. Although this is a natural part of aging, patients who are bothered by these signs may consider facelift surgery as a good solution. Following this operation, individuals often experience increased self-confidence and a lively appearance due to their healthy appearance. You can also consult our doctors about forehead lift, cheek lift, and neck lift.

Is Facelift Safe?

All surgical procedures carry some risks. Possible side effects of facelift surgery include thick scar formation, bleeding (hematoma), infection, wound separation, anaesthesia risks, hair loss along the incision line, facial nerve injury, facial asymmetry, skin loss, numbness, or other changes in skin sensation, fat necrosis, fluid accumulation (seroma), pain, irregularities in skin contour, and changes in skin colour – sensitivity or swelling. In addition, stitches may form on their own through the skin and become visible and irritating. Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac, and pulmonary complications can rarely occur.

Can Facelift Be Applied to My Eyelids? The main goal of facelift surgery is to address sagging in the cheek area, cheeks, jawline, and neck. However, it is possible to achieve much better results and an effective rejuvenation effect by evaluating the forehead, eyebrows, and eyelids comprehensively and performing appropriate interventions in the same session when necessary. After all, your eyes and forehead are part of your face. However, what is actually meant is the facial contour, cheeks, and jawline.

How Does Facelift Yield Long-Term Results? When performed by an experienced, board-certified aesthetic surgeon, a facelift procedure reduces the effects of aging on the face. However, nothing can stop the normal aging process, but you will always look younger than you would have without facial plastic surgery.

What Happens on the Day of Surgery? The operation can be performed in a hospital or an independent surgical facility. When you are ready for surgery, your surgeon and medical team will implement the plan you agreed upon. Facelift surgery is performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation (general anaesthesia). You can know what to expect before your procedure begins. After your surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery unit where you will be closely monitored. Dressings may be applied to the incision sites, and a small tube behind one or both ears may be present to drain excess blood and fluid. After your surgeon’s approval, you can go home and rest. Someone should be available to drive you home due to anaesthesia. Having someone with you for the first 24 to 48 hours can be helpful.

How Should I Prepare for Facelift Surgery?

Your surgeon will provide preoperative instructions, may want to obtain a detailed medical history, and will perform a physical examination to determine your suitability for surgery. If there are conditions that require medical clearance from your personal doctor or internist, you should inform your surgeon. Your doctor will explain to you in detail how to prepare for surgery after the examination. Before the surgery, you may be advised to stabilize your weight or make some changes to your lifestyle. It is important to follow these recommendations to achieve good postoperative results and minimize complications. In addition, you should quit smoking six weeks before surgery to promote healing and reduce scarring. Smoking also increases your risk of serious complications. You should avoid using aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (pain reliever) drugs, and vitamin/homeopathic products. These can increase bleeding. Drinking plenty of water is essential for a safe surgical process.

How Does Facelift Surgery Work?

The technique used by the aesthetic surgeon during facelift surgery depends on a number of factors, including a patient’s anatomy and personal goals, the degree of facelift (mini facelift or standard), and whether another procedure is performed simultaneously. It is generally performed using general anaesthesia, but sedation with local anaesthesia can be used for some less extensive procedures.

When Should I Start Taking Precautions for My Face?

Signs of facial aging usually become visible in the early 30s. In the 40s and 50s, however, deep facial lines resulting from skin folds and loss of fat in the face make it difficult to correct with facelift surgery alone. In your 40s or 50s, using fillers or fat with facelift procedures can help prevent these permanent changes. In general, younger individuals are better candidates for elective surgeries such as facelifts. This is because older individuals may have medical issues and younger patients may have easier postoperative recovery. People in their 40s and 50s today are more socially active. For them, looking good and young is quite important. With operations to stop facial aging in your 40s or 50s, you can maintain the appearance you want for years to come.

Should I Postpone My Facelift Surgery to Lose Weight?

It is ideal for a patient to be in the best health and have the best body measurements before any surgery. If you only need to lose a few pounds, this will not make much difference in your surgical results. However, if you are talking about more weight loss, it is important to wait until you feel healthy and at a suitable weight before undergoing surgery. Considering your body type and condition, you should consult with your specialist for the safest and most effective option.

How Long Does a Facelift Surgery Take? The duration varies depending on the scope of the procedure. Mini facelift surgeries for some patients can be completed in under 2 hours. Standard procedures typically take 3 to 4 hours.

When Is Facelift Surgery Recovery Complete? Each recovery period is different. Generally, noticeable swelling subsides within 10 to 14 days. Most patients can return to work within 2 weeks. However, it may take several weeks or months for swelling to completely resolve, and the final results may not be fully appreciated until then. To avoid complications and get the best results, follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully.

Can Facelift Be Repeated? Some facelift techniques are more long-lasting than others. In general, facelift results last for many years. However, factors such as your skin type, lifestyle, and age at the time of surgery will affect how long your facelift lasts. Many patients opt for secondary facelifts after 7 to 10 years to maintain their youthful appearance.

Will the Scars Be Visible After Facelift Surgery? Facelift scars are well hidden in the hairline and natural contours of the face. Over time, they will fade and become less noticeable. The skill and experience of your surgeon also play a role in minimizing scarring.

Consult a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon It is true that what you do after your facelift surgery has a significant impact on how long your results will last. However, the decisions that lead you to undergo facelift surgery are equally important. One of the most crucial decisions that can affect how long your results will last is which plastic surgeon you choose.

Make sure to check qualifications such as board certification, working with accredited medical centres, and experience with facelift surgery. Working with an experienced plastic surgeon who frequently performs facelift surgeries is the best way to achieve a vibrant and natural-looking result after facelift surgery.