EN
1. About facelifts |
2. Who can have it? |
3. Contraindications |
4. Types of facelifts |
5. Non-surgical facelift |
6. Prices for facelift |
5. Leading clinics |
A facelift is a complex procedure aiming to correct age-related changes in the facial skin, muscular layer and fatty tissue. It contours the face, eliminates wrinkles and rejuvenates the appearance by approximately 10 years. More than a million facelifts are performed each year. They are most commonly performed on people between the ages of 40 and 65. Read our article to learn more about facelift surgery, its types and prices.
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What is a facelift?
A facelift is one of the most popular procedures in plastic surgery. It aims to eliminate the signs of ageing by correcting the facial oval. The rejuvenating effect lasts for many years.
Facelifts are mainly performed on patients in the 40+ age group. The operation involves three areas of the face – the upper, middle and/or lower ones.
The ageing process in these areas is uneven. The first changes appear around the eyes. Then they affect the midface, chin and neck.
Depending on the area that is being corrected, the following types of lift are distinguished:
A temporal facelift, also often referred to as a fox-eye lift. It makes the eye look more open, lifts the tip of the eyebrows, removes superficial wrinkles, etc. The surgery is often combined with a blepharoplasty (eyelid correction).
Midface lift – located in the upper part of the cheeks, cheekbones and nasolabial folds.
A space lift, also known as Mendelssohn facelift. It is done in the lower third of the face. The surgery shapes the chin lines, restores the muscular framework and removes flabby areas of skin.
Simultaneous lifting of all areas is called a circular facelift. The duration of such a procedure varies depending on its type and complexity. A superficial circumferential facelift takes about 1-1,5 hours. A deep facelift takes 3-4 hours. General anaesthesia is used for the procedure. For lifting only one area of the face, local anaesthesia can be used. In this case, the procedure usually lasts less than an hour.
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When is facelift surgery indicated?
In most cases, facelifts are best suited to patients aged 40-60. After the age of forty, people begin to show signs of ageing. Deep facial wrinkles are considered a key criterion for surgery. Sagging of the skin is among the main indications that a person should consult a plastic surgeon for a facelift.
Contraindications to facelift
This procedure cannot be performed if the patient is in poor health, has a blood clotting disorder, cancer pathology, mental disorders and acute infectious or chronic diseases. Small wrinkles can be treated with conservative methods, therefore they are not a reason for surgery. A secondary facelift should be considered with caution. Such an intervention may increase the risk of facial nerve injury.
Types of facelift surgery
ОA facelift is divided into different types. The two main techniques are the SMAS lift and the mini facelift. The first one is a traditional type of surgery. The procedure involves all areas of the face. It is indicated in cases of significant signs of ageing.
During the SMAS lift, the surgeon makes incisions along the hairline and the natural crease of the ears. Another incision is made just below the chin. The doctor separates the skin from the underlying muscles, allowing the facial and neck tissues to be tightened. Excess fat and skin are removed as necessary.
The SMAS facelift offers the most impressive and long-lasting results (10 years or more). Recovery from the procedure takes approximately 10-14 days.
A mini facelift is a surgical procedure which uses smaller incisions than a traditional facelift. The procedure is ideal for patients who show early signs of ageing. It is often referred to as a ‘weekend facelift’ since it is possible to undergo the procedure on a Friday or Saturday and go to work on Monday.
Modern facelift options
Thread lift | The procedure is also called the Spider Web. It is a minimally invasive surgery, introduced by renowned Turkish plastic surgeon Bülent Cihantimur. This type of facelift involves the injection of about sixty absorbable threads under the patient’s skin. Using a special needle, they are precisely positioned and form a structure resembling a spider’s web. This allows the muscles to be tightened and new collagen bonds to be created. The thread lift takes 40-60 minutes. Its effect is visible on the second day. The result lasts for about two to three years. |
A cheek lift | Correction of the middle facial area. It is rarely performed as a standalone procedure, instead usually combined with a lower blepharoplasty. Incisions are made in the natural fold of the lower eyelid. The surgeon connects the soft tissue of the cheek area to the bone in a more favourable position, creating a rejuvenating effect. |
Endoscopic facelift | This type of surgery involves minimal incisions. It is best suited for patients with minor age-related changes and sufficient skin tone. The facelift takes about 1-2 hours. The recovery requires about a week. |
Read: A facelift without surgery
Ultrasonic lifting
It is a non-surgical alternative to traditional facelift surgery. The ultrasound affects the connective layer of the skin, tightening the skin. The procedure is suitable for people over 30 years of age with mild to moderate skin sagging. The effect lasts for about a year.
RF-lift
This method involves using radiofrequency energy. During the treatment, collagen fibres shrink and create the effect of firm skin. The first results of the RF facelift are visible after 3-4 sessions. The final effect of the procedure is visible one month after the end of the therapy and lasts for six months.
Laser facelift
This lifting procedure is performed with a laser that gets inserted under the skin through several tiny punctures. The heat from the laser stimulates the production of collagen, which tightens the skin and eliminates wrinkles. The results of the laser lift last for up to 5 years.
Cryo Lifting
A facelift using a special device that cools the skin down to 20 degrees Celsius. This activates the production of collagen, reduces swelling and normalises the fine capillaries. For maximum effect, 6-10 treatments are required.
Botox facelift
A popular method of non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Botox injections relax the muscles and smooth out wrinkles. The effect of the treatment appears after 10-14 days. It lasts for four to six months. The injections must then be repeated.
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers
These injections help to smooth out age-related wrinkles. Unlike Botox, they do not restrict the function of the facial muscles. Fillers have a rejuvenating effect that lasts from six months to two years.
How long do the results of facelift surgery last?
The result of a facelift usually lasts for about 10 years. However, keep in mind that each type of rejuvenation procedure has a different lasting effect. Non-surgical techniques tend to have a shorter effect (4 months to 5 years).
What is the cost of facelift surgery?
The cost of a facelift is determined by the extent of the intervention, its technique and its complexity. As a rule, the price of a circular facelift is slightly more expensive than a single facial area, such as the lower third or the temporal area. This is also influenced by the level of the medical centre and the qualification of the plastic surgeon. You will have to pay more for surgery with a reputable doctor than with a specialist with no special regalia.
An approximate price for a facelift abroad is:
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| Turkey | from $2,800 |
| South Korea | from $5,000 |
| Spain | from €6,000 |
| Poland | from €3,000 |
Where can I get a facelift abroad?
Estetik International
KCM Hospital
ID Hospital
University Hospital of Navarra
Summary
A facelift is a procedure created for patients who want to get rid of ageing signs: wrinkles, flabbiness and sagging skin.
There are different types of facelifts. These include thread lift, SMAS lift, cheek lift, endoscopic facelift, laser facelift and ultrasound facelift.
The cost of a facelift varies depending on the type of procedure and the technique. The price of an ultrasound facelift is lower than that of a surgical procedure. The final cost of the surgery is also influenced by the amount of work involved, the level of the clinic and the doctor’s fees. The starting price for a facelift is about $2,800.
The result of a facelift lasts for 10-15 years. For non-surgical techniques, the duration of the rejuvenating effect is somewhat shorter.
For facelifts, patients often go to medical centres in Turkey, Spain, Poland and South Korea. These are Aesthetic Centre Istanbul, Estetik International, Liv Istinye, KCM, ID Hospital, JK Hospital, Teknon and Navarra University Hospital.
To arrange a facelift abroad, please contact the coordinating doctors of the international MediGlobus platform. We will help you with all your medical needs.
Sources:
- National Library of Medicine
- The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
- Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS)
- The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS)
