Face Lift
A facelift can gently restore the natural contours of your face, helping you feel refreshed and confident.
Procedure Overview
As we age, the skin, fat, and deeper tissues of the face naturally lose elasticity and volume. This can lead to jowls, deepened nasolabial folds, and a less defined jawline. A facelift is designed to gently lift and reposition these tissues, smoothing the contours of the face and restoring balance and harmony without creating an over-tightened or artificial look.
Modern techniques focus on repositioning deeper layers of tissue, not just removing skin, to achieve results that are subtle, long-lasting, and natural. Many patients combine a facelift with other procedures, such as a neck lift or eyelid surgery, to enhance overall facial rejuvenation. The goal is refinement rather than complete transformation, helping you look like a fresher, more rested version of yourself.
A deep-plane facelift is typically recommended for patients with significant signs of ageing, such as deep wrinkles and skin folds. Younger patients who are concerned about earlier signs of ageing, or changes primarily to a specific area of the face, may consider a smaller procedure such as a mid-face lift or lower-face lift to address their concerns. It is also common to combine surgical procedures with other non-surgical approaches to facial rejuvenation, such as dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections like Botox, and laser or chemical peels to improve skin texture. An expert-led treatment plan for facial rejuvenation ensures that you achieve natural-looking, harmonious results that feel like you.
What to expect
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During your consultation, Dr. de Chalain will assess your skin quality, facial structure, and the degree of sagging. He’ll also examine your underlying bone structure to ensure the approach is perfectly tailored to your unique features. You’ll discuss your goals, any complementary procedures that may enhance results, and how to achieve a natural, balanced outcome. Multiple consultations may be recommended to ensure your plan is fully aligned with your goals.
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Facelifts are usually performed under general anaesthetic, so you will need to fast beforehand. You may also be advised to pause certain medications or supplements that can increase bleeding risk. Pre-operative instructions will be provided to optimise your safety and recovery.
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Incisions are typically placed discreetly around the ears and sometimes along the hairline. Through these, the underlying tissues are lifted, excess skin is redraped, and deep sutures help secure the new contour. Visible scarring is minimised by carefully breaking up the incisions, and a special technique is used to encourage hair growth through the healed scar. Some procedures may also include fat repositioning or augmentation to restore youthful volume. The injection of your own fat cells encourages tissue repair by adding stem cells and growth factors to the area. The surgery generally takes several hours.
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Dressings or gentle bandaging will be applied to support healing and minimise swelling. Depending on the extent of the procedure and your overall health, you may stay overnight or be discharged later in the evening. Temporary bruising, tightness, and mild discomfort are normal.
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Bruising and swelling usually peak in the first week and gradually improve over two to three weeks. Most patients feel comfortable going out in public 10 days after surgery with the help of mineral makeup (available from our clinic) to reduce the appearance of residual bruising. Patients are typically able to return to work and social activities within two to three weeks, while subtle swelling may persist for a few months. Complete recovery usually takes about six weeks, at which point non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedures can be performed to enhance results.
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You’ll have scheduled follow-up visits to monitor healing and ensure your results are progressing as expected. Sutures are typically removed around 7–10 days after surgery, and if surgical screws are required for your procedure, these will be removed 10 days after surgery in a procedure performed in our rooms. Additional appointments may be arranged over the first few months to check on long-term outcomes and address any questions or concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A full facelift rejuvenates the entire lower two-thirds of the face, iincluding the cheeks, jowls, and jawline, and can be combined with a neck lift for a seamless result.
A mini facelift involves smaller incisions and less tissue lifting, ideal for earlier signs of ageing.
A mid-face lift focuses on the area around the cheeks and under the eyes.
A neck lift targets loose skin and muscle banding beneath the chin and jawline.
Dr. de Chalain can advise which approach best suits your anatomy and goals.
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Most patients take around two weeks off work and social activities. Swelling and bruising peak within the first few days, then gradually subside. Light activities can resume within a week, but it takes several weeks for the face to fully settle and reveal the final results.
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Results typically last 8–12 years, depending on factors like skin quality, age, and lifestyle. While ageing continues, you’ll generally look younger than if you hadn’t had the procedure.
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Incisions are usually placed discreetly around the ears and hairline. These fade over time and are easily concealed by hair or makeup once healed.
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Yes. Modern facelift techniques lift the underlying muscle layer (SMAS) rather than simply tightening the skin, which produces a smooth, natural look rather than a “pulled” appearance. The aim is to help you look like a more refreshed version of yourself, not like a different person.
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Like any surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, delayed wound healing, or nerve injury, though these are uncommon when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. Dr. de Chalain will discuss these in detail at your consultation.
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The best candidates have visible skin laxity around the lower face and neck but still retain some skin elasticity and good overall health. It’s ideal for those seeking lasting rejuvenation rather than minor touch-ups.
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Yes — it’s often performed alongside a neck lift, eyelid surgery, or fat grafting to restore volume. Non-surgical treatments like laser or injectables can further refine results once healing is complete.
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Costs vary based on the extent of surgery, whether it’s combined with other procedures, and individual anatomy. A detailed quotation is provided after your consultation and surgical plan are confirmed. For more information on how we price our procedures, see our Pricing Information page.
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