Plastic Surgery
What Is a Facelift?
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Haute MD Editorial Team
A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that addresses facial aging by repositioning the underlying facial muscles and tissues (SMAS layer), removing excess skin, and tightening the overall appearance of the face and neck. A well-performed facelift produces natural-looking rejuvenation — restoring facial contour, reducing jowls, tightening the neck, and lifting sagging cheek and midface tissue — without an "operated" appearance.
What does a facelift address?
A facelift addresses jowls (sagging along the jawline), excess skin and fat in the neck, deepening nasolabial folds, loss of facial volume and contour, skin laxity in the lower face and neck. It does not address fine lines, skin texture, pigmentation, or the upper face (forehead, brows, eyelids), which may be treated with complementary procedures.
Facelift techniques
Traditional facelift: addresses the lower face, jawline, and neck through incisions along the hairline and behind the ear. Deep plane facelift: releases and repositions deeper facial structures for longer-lasting, more natural results — the gold standard for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. SMAS facelift: tightens the superficial muscular aponeurotic system layer for improved longevity over skin-only techniques. Mini facelift: a limited procedure for early facial aging with a shorter scar and faster recovery.
Who is a good candidate?
Ideal candidates are typically in their 40s-70s with significant facial laxity, good skin elasticity, realistic expectations, no major medical conditions, and non-smoking status (or willingness to quit before and after surgery).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does facelift surgery take?
A full facelift typically takes 3-5 hours under general anesthesia or IV sedation. A mini facelift may take 1.5-2.5 hours.
How long does a facelift last?
A deep plane facelift typically lasts 10-15 years. The aging process continues after surgery, but patients typically look younger than they would have without the procedure at any given point.
What is the recovery from a facelift?
Most patients experience significant swelling and bruising for the first 2 weeks. Social downtime is typically 2-3 weeks. Residual swelling can persist for 2-3 months. Final results are visible at 3-6 months.
Can a facelift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Facelifts are frequently combined with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lift, fat grafting, and laser resurfacing for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Combining procedures reduces overall recovery time.
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Guide · PLASTIC SURGERY
What Is a Mini Facelift?
A mini facelift is a limited surgical procedure that addresses early facial aging in the lower face and jawline with less downtime than a full facelift.
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The deep plane facelift is the gold standard facelift technique, repositioning deep facial structures for longer-lasting, more natural results than traditional facelifts.
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