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Face Lift FAQs

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Please see our frequently asked questions for Face Lift FAQs.

FAQs

What is the difference between a full and mini facelift?

A full facelift targets the area from your eye area to the jaw and a mini facelift is more focused to the lower half of your face. The incisions used with a mini facelift are also smaller so the recovery time is often reduced slightly.

Would I be suitable for a mini facelift?

A Mini Face lift is bested suited for patients who have moderate skin laxity with the appearance of some jowls. If you have significant skin laxity with cheek sagging then your surgeon will most likely suggest you have a full Face Lift procedure.

How long will the results of a facelift last?

You can expect the results to last for many years. The ageing process is continuous and the facelift aims to tackle the hardest signs of visible ageing. A healthy lifestyle and good skincare routine will help you maintain the effects of the facelift for as long as possible. It is difficult to establish just how long the results will last as each patient present a unique situation. There are a range of aesthetic and cosmetic treatments to assist in maintaining results.

How much does Facelift cost?

During your consultation with one of our Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, you will always be offered the most suitable procedure for your facial structure and desired results.

We have a range of face and neck lifting procedures.

The average prices paid by our Facelift patients start from £6,900 for a mini-facelift and £13,500 for a full facelift. We don’t follow a one-price-fits-all policy and prices are quoted on a case by case basis. You will be given an accurate quote for your requirements following your consultation.

Consultations with our plastic surgeons are £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

We also offer consultations with our highly experienced Patient Coordinators which require a £25 refundable deposit to secure your place. These are available in BirminghamLeedsManchester and Northampton.

Patient coordinators are able to offer you all the information you require prior to meeting a surgeon.

Please note all consultations available at our Harley Street clinic are with a surgeon.

Is there a facelift clinic near me?

The Private Clinic has clinics nationwide so we are sure to have an expert facelift surgeon located near to you.

Our clinics are in;

Where can I get a facelift in London?

London – 98 Harley street, W1G7HZ

Where can I get a facelift in Manchester?

Manchester – 25 St John Street, M3 4DT

Where can I get a facelift in Birmingham?

Birmingham – 88 Hagley Road, B16 8LU – West Midlands

Where can I get a facelift in Leeds?

Leeds – 45 Park Square North, LS1 2NP – Yorkshire

To find out more, contact us to book a consultation.

Am I suitable for a facelift?

A facelift is best suited to patients who have sagging skin around their face and find that they are looking tired or upset when they are not.

A consultation with one of our expert consultant plastic surgeons is a great place to start your journey. You will be able to find out more about the procedure as well as seeing if you would be suitable and what results you can expect to achieve.

Are there any medical contradictions to having a Facelift?

Contradictions may include high blood pressure, diabetes, lung or heart disease and bleeding disorders as these can increase your risk for complications. A full medical history will be taken at your consultation and your full suitability will be discussed with your surgeon.

Will there be visible scarring after a facelift?

Scarring is all dependent on the Surgeon’s skills and experience, and with the most advanced facelift techniques available today, scarring is kept to a minimum. Incision sites will be carefully considered to reduce visibility during recovery and in the long term. They are also very well concealed for both women and men.

The scars following a facelift are usually found along the hairline and around the ears. This means that the scars can be hidden by your hair. Overtime, with proper care your scars will fade and become flat making them almost unnoticeable.

Am I too old to have a facelift?

The majority of our patients undergoing a facelift procedure are over the age of 40. There is no upper age limit but being realistic of your expectations is important. Ideally, the best results are seen on patients who still have elasticity left in their skin, have good bone structure and most importantly; are fit and well.

An initial consultation with one of our expert facial plastic surgeons is the best way to find out your suitability for surgery and what you can expect to achieve.

What will happen at my consultation?

Your consultation is your time with the surgeon to discuss your desired outcome of surgery, ask any questions you may have prepared and go through the surgical procedure talking through any concerns that you might have.

We recommend bringing along some photographs of your younger self as many of our patients do not want to look different, just younger and this is the best way for your surgeon to physically see how your face has changed as you have got older and work out the best way to give you the results that you want.

How long does a facelift procedure take?

A facelift procedure usually takes between 1-3 hours. More complicated and extensive procedures can take longer but this will be discussed at your consultation.

Will I need general anaesthetic for a facelift procedure?

A full facelift will require general anaesthetic but some smaller cases and mini facelifts may only require a local anaesthetic with added sedation if requested.

What happens during a facelift procedure?

A full facelift typically focuses on lifting sagging skin of the face. The skin is lifted upwards, and excess skin removed to achieve a tighter appearance with less sagging and a reduction in wrinkles.

The exact technique will depend on the type of procedure you are having as they all differ slightly.  

The facial skin and tissue are lifted upwards before being repositioned and any excess is then removed. The incisions will then be closed with absorbable stitches. More extensive techniques such as Deep Plane Facelift or SMAS techniques can also be used to tighten the underlying facial muscles and tissues.

Detailed information about what is involved in your facelift procedure will be provided in consultation to help you make a fully informed decision.

Will I need to stay in hospital?

Most facelift patients will not require an overnight stay in hospital.

Some patients may require an overnight stay, this is best determined by your surgeon who will have their preferences and make a decision based on your medical notes.

Is facelift surgery painful?

You should not feel pain during your facelift procedure as it will be performed under anaesthetic.

You may have some discomfort following a facelift, many describe it as feeling tight and full for 7-10 days. You will be provided with medication to help you feel comfortable throughout your recovery process.

Will there be visible scarring after a facelift?

Scarring is all dependent on the Surgeon’s skills and experience, and with the most advanced facelift techniques available today, scarring is kept to a minimum. Incision sites will be carefully considered to reduce visibility during recovery and in the long term. They are also very well concealed for both women and men.

The scars following a facelift are usually found along the hairline and around the ears. This means that the scars can be hidden by your hair. Over time, with proper care, your scars will fade and become flat making them almost unnoticeable.

Will there be swelling and bruising after a facelift?

All surgical procedures will cause swelling which includes facelift procedures. Bruising after surgery varies between patients and their natural healing responses. Any bruising and swelling should settle after 2-3 weeks.

How long will I need to take off work?

We recommend that you book 1-2 weeks off work. More time may be required for more extensive procedures. The time allowed will depend on the nature of your employment and the type of facelift that you are having.

When can I exercise after a facelift?

After 4-6 weeks you will be able to return to exercise and other strenuous activities, we do recommend that you confirm this with your surgeon first however as everyone’s recovery times are different.

When can I wear make-up after facelift surgery?

We recommend that you avoid wearing make-up for at least a week after your facelift procedure. If you decide to wear make-up after this you should not apply it over any incisions and you must make sure it is removed fully overnight as makeup can expose harmful bacteria to your incisions which can extend your healing time. If you are unsure we would recommend contacting you surgeon or their nursing team for advice.

How long will the results of a facelift last?

It is difficult to establish just how long the results will last as each patient presents a unique situation.

You can expect the results of your facelift to last for many years, however, it will not stop your face from naturally ageing. Patients who take care of their skin, and avoid smoking and excessive sun exposure should be able to reap the benefits of their facelift for upwards of 10 years.

There are a range of aesthetic and cosmetic treatments to assist in maintaining results.

Will a facelift get rid of my wrinkles?

A facelift procedure is more targeting at lifting sagging skin especially around the neck and jowls. Although you will see some improvement to lines and wrinkles through facelift surgery, if this is your main concern then a non-surgical treatment such as wrinkle relaxing injections or laser rejuvenation may be better suited. See our wrinkle condition page for more information.

What are the alternatives to a facelift?

You can have non-surgical facelifts, fat transfer procedures and facial rejuvenation treatments, which will tackle the effects of ageing such as uneven skin tone, age spots, wrinkles and loss of fat volume to the face. Treatments that we offer include:

To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.

What does a free facelift consultation mean?

We offer free facelift phone or video consultations with an experienced patient coordinator who will provide information on the procedure and the best facelift surgeons to suit your requirements.

We ask that you pay a £25 refundable deposit to secure the timed appointment. This is refunded once the consultation takes place. You can change your appointment time up to 48 hours before.

Contact us to book your free facelift phone or video consultation.