What Is a Facelift (Rhytidectomy)?
A facelift, medically known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to address sagging, tissue laxity, and contour changes that develop in the face and neck over time.
As the face ages, changes occur not only in the skin but also in facial fat, connective tissues, and deeper support structures. These changes may lead to downward movement of the cheeks, loss of jawline definition, jowls, and laxity in the neck.
Facial aging may also involve:
- Sagging in the midface and cheeks
- Loss of jawline definition
- Neck skin laxity
- Lower eyelid bags
- Excess upper eyelid skin
- Lower eyebrow position
- Loss of facial volume
For this reason, facelift surgery is not performed in exactly the same way for every patient.
During surgery, excess skin may be adjusted, deeper support tissues may be repositioned, and the neck may also be treated when necessary. The objective is not to stretch the skin as tightly as possible, but to reposition age-related tissue descent while maintaining natural facial proportions and expressions.
For patients researching a facelift in Turkey, the face and neck should be evaluated as a whole rather than focusing only on skin wrinkles.
A facelift can be particularly effective for lower-face sagging, jowls, loss of jawline definition, and selected neck changes. However, it does not completely correct every fine surface wrinkle, pigmentation change, or sun-related skin concern.
When appropriate, facelift surgery may be combined with eyelid surgery, brow lift, fat grafting, or selected non-surgical facial treatments.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?
There is no single age requirement for facelift surgery. Candidacy depends more on facial anatomy, tissue laxity, skin quality, general health, and individual expectations than on chronological age alone.
Potential candidates may include:
- Individuals with noticeable sagging in the face and neck
- Patients who have lost jawline definition
- People with jowls along the lower face
- Individuals with downward displacement of cheek or midface tissues
- Patients with loose skin or soft-tissue laxity in the neck
- Individuals who develop aging changes earlier because of genetic factors
- Patients whose general health is suitable for elective surgery
- People with realistic expectations
Although many people consider facelift surgery during their 40s, 50s, or 60s, age alone does not determine whether someone is an appropriate candidate.
Patients considering a facelift in Istanbul should undergo an individualized assessment of facial aging rather than selecting surgery according to age alone.
Which Areas Can a Facelift Address?
The areas treated depend on the surgical technique and the patient’s anatomy.
Facelift planning may include:
- Midface and cheeks
- Lower face
- Jawline
- Jowls
- Area around the lower cheek and mouth
- Submental region
- Neck
If the main concern is limited to one area, a more focused approach may be considered.
When facial aging affects multiple regions, a more comprehensive face and neck lift may be appropriate.
Preoperative Process for Facelift Surgery
Detailed preoperative assessment helps determine both surgical suitability and the appropriate facelift technique.
Consultation and Facial Analysis
During consultation, the surgeon may evaluate:
- Facial bone structure
- Skin quality
- Position of the soft tissues
- Facial volume
- Jawline
- Neck anatomy
- Hairline
- Previous facial surgery
- Existing scars
- Individual treatment goals
The patient’s concerns and realistic surgical expectations should be discussed clearly.
Standardized photographs may also be taken for planning and postoperative comparison.
Medical Evaluation
Depending on the patient’s health status, preoperative preparation may include:
- Blood tests
- Anesthesia assessment
- Review of chronic medical conditions
- Evaluation of current medications
- Blood pressure assessment
- Review of previous surgical history
Smoking and Nicotine
Smoking and nicotine can negatively affect blood circulation and wound healing.
Patients may therefore be advised to stop smoking and nicotine use for a period before and after surgery.
Rather than applying the same fixed timeframe to every patient, the appropriate period should be determined according to medical history and surgical planning.
This is particularly important in facelift surgery because healthy blood supply to the skin and soft tissues plays an important role in wound healing.
Medication Use
Aspirin, selected anti-inflammatory medications, anticoagulants, and supplements that may affect bleeding risk should be reviewed before surgery.
Prescription medications should not be discontinued without medical guidance.
Any adjustment should be made in consultation with the relevant medical professionals.
How Is a Facelift Performed?
Facelift surgery is often performed under general anesthesia, although the anesthesia approach depends on the extent of surgery and the patient’s medical condition.
The duration also varies according to:
- Surgical technique
- Extent of facial correction
- Whether the neck is treated
- Previous facial surgery
- Additional procedures performed during the same session
For this reason, one fixed operating time should not be applied to every facelift.
Incision Placement
In a traditional facelift, incisions are generally planned along natural anatomical boundaries around the hairline and ears.
Depending on the surgical approach, the incision may extend:
- Within or near the temporal hairline
- Along natural contours in front of the ear
- Around the earlobe
- Behind the ear
- Into the hair-bearing scalp
When additional neck correction is required, a small incision beneath the chin may also be used.
The exact incision pattern depends on the technique and the anatomical areas being treated.
SMAS Facelift and Deep Tissue Repositioning
Modern facelift surgery is not based solely on tightening the skin.
The deeper facial support structures may also be repositioned or tightened.
One important anatomical layer is the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System), a fibromuscular tissue layer beneath the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
Depending on anatomy and surgical planning, different techniques may involve:
- SMAS plication
- SMAS excision or repositioning
- Deeper-plane dissection
- Repositioning of facial support tissues
- Neck tissue adjustment
Not every facelift needs to use exactly the same SMAS technique.
For patients researching an SMAS facelift in Türkiye, it is important to understand that the choice of surgical plane should depend on the individual aging pattern, anatomy, previous procedures, and surgeon’s assessment.
Skin Redraping and Excess Skin Removal
After the deeper tissues have been repositioned, the skin is redraped according to the new underlying contour.
Selected excess skin may be removed.
The objective is to avoid excessive skin tension and preserve natural facial movement while improving the overall contour.
A natural facelift should not aim to produce an overly tight or expressionless appearance.
Closure and Sutures
Facelift incisions may be closed using:
- Absorbable sutures
- Sutures that require later removal
- Surgical staples
- Other closure methods where appropriate
For this reason, it is not accurate to state that dissolvable sutures are always used.
The closure method depends on incision location and surgical technique.
What Is the Difference Between a Mini Facelift and a Full Facelift?
A mini facelift or short-scar facelift may be considered in selected patients with more limited lower-face laxity.
It may focus primarily on:
- Early jowling
- Mild jawline laxity
- Limited lower-face tissue descent
A more comprehensive facelift may address more extensive changes involving:
- Midface
- Lower face
- Jawline
- Jowls
- Neck
A smaller incision does not automatically mean a better procedure.
The appropriate surgical extent should be selected according to the anatomical changes that need correction.
Recovery After Facelift Surgery
Facelift recovery varies depending on the extent of surgery and individual healing characteristics.
A dressing may be placed around the face after surgery. In selected patients, temporary drains may also be used to reduce accumulation of blood or fluid.
First Days
During the early postoperative period, patients may experience:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tightness
- Tenderness
- Temporary numbness
- Mild to moderate discomfort
Patients may be advised to keep the head elevated and avoid direct pressure on the face.
Medication and wound care should be followed according to the surgeon’s instructions.
First One to Two Weeks
Swelling and bruising generally begin to improve during the first weeks, although complete resolution may take longer.
Incisions are monitored during follow-up.
If non-absorbable sutures or staples are used, removal is planned according to wound healing and the material used.
Return to Daily Activities
After a more comprehensive facelift, many patients may feel comfortable returning to social or professional activities within approximately two to three weeks.
Patients undergoing more limited procedures may recover sooner.
However, returning to work or social activities does not mean that tissue healing is complete.
Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities that may cause facial trauma may need to be restricted for a longer period.
International patients undergoing a facelift in Istanbul should plan sufficient time for early postoperative follow-up before arranging return travel.
When Are Facelift Results Visible?
A significant portion of bruising and swelling may decrease during the first several weeks.
However, mild swelling, tissue firmness, numbness, or altered sensation can persist longer.
The face may require several months to feel and appear more settled.
Therefore, the appearance during the early postoperative period should not be considered the final result.
Benefits of Facelift Surgery
Potential improvements after facelift surgery may include:
Improved Jawline Definition
Repositioning sagging tissues may create a more defined transition between the lower face, jawline, and neck.
Reduction of Jowls
Lower-face tissue laxity and jowls may be reduced as part of the surgical plan.
Improvement in Face and Neck Laxity
Patients with combined facial and neck aging changes may benefit from a coordinated face and neck lift.
More Balanced Facial Contours
Repositioning rather than simply stretching the skin can support more natural facial proportions.
Long-Term Improvement
Facelift surgery can create long-lasting changes, but the face continues to age naturally after surgery.
No surgical procedure permanently stops the aging process.
Are There Risks Associated With Facelift Surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, facelift surgery involves potential risks and complications.
It is not sufficient to describe the risks only as infection, swelling, bruising, or temporary numbness.
Possible risks may include:
- Anesthesia-related complications
- Bleeding
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Fluid accumulation
- Delayed wound healing
- Impaired skin circulation or tissue loss
- Temporary or persistent sensory changes
- Injury to facial nerve branches
- Temporary or persistent muscle weakness
- Asymmetry
- Prolonged swelling
- Persistent pain
- Unfavorable scarring
- Temporary or permanent hair loss around incision sites
- Skin contour irregularities
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result
- Need for revision surgery
- Rare cardiovascular, pulmonary, or thromboembolic complications
The individual risk profile depends on general health, smoking status, blood pressure, medication use, previous surgery, surgical extent, and healing characteristics.
Following postoperative instructions can help reduce some risks, but no surgical risk can be completely eliminated.
Are Facelift Results Permanent?
Facelift surgery can provide long-term improvement by repositioning facial tissues and removing selected excess skin.
However, a facelift does not stop aging.
The face continues to change naturally after surgery.
Long-term results can be influenced by:
- Age
- Genetics
- Skin quality
- Sun exposure
- Smoking
- Weight fluctuations
- Lifestyle
- Surgical technique
The duration of visible improvement varies considerably between individuals, and one fixed number of years should not be guaranteed to every patient.
Other Procedures That Can Be Combined With a Facelift
Facial aging often affects multiple anatomical regions. For this reason, facelift surgery may be combined with other procedures when appropriate.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Excess upper eyelid skin and lower eyelid bags are not directly corrected by a facelift.
Blepharoplasty may therefore be combined with facelift surgery in suitable patients.
Brow Lift
Patients with low eyebrow position or aging changes in the forehead may be evaluated for a brow lift.
Fat Grafting
Aging may involve volume loss as well as tissue descent.
Fat grafting may be considered for selected areas such as:
- Cheeks
- Temples
- Midface
- Other facial depressions
Neck Lift
When neck laxity, submental fullness, or visible neck bands are present, a neck lift may be combined with facelift surgery.
Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers
Botulinum toxin and dermal fillers work differently from facelift surgery.
They may be considered separately or as complementary treatments for:
- Dynamic expression lines
- Selected volume deficiencies
- Certain facial contour concerns
Non-surgical treatments cannot produce the same degree of tissue repositioning as facelift surgery.
Facelift in Turkey and Istanbul: Personalized Surgical Planning
Patients considering a facelift in Turkey, facelift in Türkiye, or face and neck lift in Istanbul may have very different patterns of facial aging.
There is no single facelift technique that is appropriate for everyone.
Treatment planning should consider:
- Midface tissue position
- Jawline
- Jowls
- Neck anatomy
- Skin quality
- Facial volume
- Eyebrow position
- Eye area
- Hairline
- Bone structure
- Previous aesthetic treatments
- Previous facial surgery
- General health
- Individual expectations
Dr. Murat Diyarbakırlıoğlu evaluates facial and neck anatomy, tissue laxity, facial volume, aging pattern, medical history, and individual expectations when planning facelift surgery.
The objective is not to create a different face or eliminate every sign of aging. The aim is to develop an individualized surgical plan that preserves the patient’s natural facial characteristics while addressing age-related tissue changes.
Why Choose MD Aesthetics and Dr. Murat Diyarbakırlıoğlu?
At MD Aesthetics, facelift planning begins with an individualized assessment of the face and neck, the patient’s aging pattern, skin and soft-tissue characteristics, medical history, and treatment expectations.
Dr. Murat Diyarbakırlıoğlu determines the surgical approach according to the anatomical layers and facial regions that require correction rather than applying one standardized facelift technique to every patient.
The treatment process includes preoperative evaluation, personalized surgical planning, and postoperative follow-up.
Before deciding on a facelift in Istanbul, patients should understand the expected changes, limitations, alternative treatments, recovery process, and potential risks.
Final candidacy and the most appropriate surgical approach should be determined after a detailed facial examination and medical consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A facelift, medically referred to as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to restore a more youthful, refreshed, and natural facial appearance by tightening sagging skin and underlying tissues caused by aging. During the procedure, excess skin is removed, facial muscles and connective tissues are repositioned, and facial contours are refined.
A facelift may be considered for healthy adults who are concerned about signs of aging such as facial and neck sagging, deep wrinkles, or volume loss. Suitability is determined after a thorough medical examination and physician evaluation, as treatment planning may vary depending on individual age, skin condition, and overall health.
Facelift surgery typically takes between 3 and 5 hours, depending on the technique used and the extent of the procedure. Swelling and bruising may occur during the initial postoperative period; these effects usually subside over several weeks. Most individuals can return to social activities within 1–2 weeks. The complete recovery process varies based on personal factors and is closely monitored by the surgeon.
Incisions made during facelift surgery are generally placed around the ears and within the hairline to minimize visible scarring. When performed using appropriate surgical techniques, scars are typically subtle and become less noticeable over time.
The results achieved with a facelift are long-lasting. Although the natural aging process continues, the rejuvenating effects on facial appearance can be maintained for many years. Individual tissue characteristics and lifestyle factors play an important role in the longevity of the outcome.