A facelift (rhytidectomy) lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face and neck to soften the structural signs of ageing — jowls, mid-face descent and a loosening jawline. The aesthetic surgery we arrange in Istanbul is built on one rule: a facelift should make you look like a rested, younger version of yourself, never a tightened or different one.
At the accredited partner hospitals we work with, facelifts are performed by board-certified plastic surgeons using deep-plane and SMAS techniques — not skin-only pulling, which is what produces the unnatural results the procedure is unfairly associated with.
What a facelift does — and what it doesn’t
A facelift addresses sagging and descent: jowls along the jawline, deepening folds between the nose and mouth, and loose tissue in the lower face and neck. It repositions what has dropped and removes the excess skin that results.
It does not treat surface skin quality — fine lines, sun damage or texture — which are better managed with resurfacing, or the upper third of the face, where the eyelid surgery and brow procedures do the work. Many patients combine a facelift with a neck lift or eyelid surgery in one operation, which the surgeon assesses during consultation.
Facelift techniques
| Technique | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Deep-plane | Releases and repositions the deep tissue layer as one unit | Natural mid-face lift, longer-lasting result |
| SMAS | Tightens or folds the deep support layer beneath the skin | The established workhorse facelift for most patients |
| Mini / short-scar | A smaller lift through shorter incisions | Earlier, limited jowling in younger patients |
The “skin-only” facelift — pulling skin under tension without addressing the deeper layer — is what creates a pulled appearance and a short-lived result. It is not what your partner surgeon does.
Who is a good candidate
A facelift suits you if you have moderate to advanced lower-face and neck ageing — jowls, a softening jawline, loose neck tissue — and are in good general health. Skin with reasonable elasticity gives the best result.
It may not be the right step if your concern is mainly skin texture, volume loss (often better addressed with fillers or fat transfer), or only the upper face. A responsible surgeon will tell you when a smaller or non-surgical option fits your goal better — and we will pass that on honestly rather than upsell.
The procedure, step by step
- Consultation and planning. Your face is assessed, the technique chosen, and a written plan and consent agreed. Photographs are taken for planning.
- Anaesthesia. A facelift is performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation, in an accredited hospital with full anaesthetic cover.
- Incisions. Placed discreetly along the hairline and around the ears so they settle into natural creases.
- Repositioning. The deep SMAS layer is lifted and secured; excess skin is trimmed and re-draped without tension.
- Closure. Fine sutures close the incisions; a light dressing supports the face. The operation takes roughly 3–5 hours.
Recovery timeline
- Week 1: Swelling and bruising peak then begin to settle. Sutures are removed around day 7–10. You stay in Istanbul so the surgeon can review you.
- Weeks 2–3: Most bruising resolves; many patients feel socially presentable. This is why we plan the trip and your return carefully.
- Months 1–3: Residual swelling fades and the tissues relax into a natural position.
- Months 3–6: The final, refined result appears; scars continue to mature and fade.
Facelift, neck lift or non-surgical — choosing honestly
A facelift is the right answer for true sagging of the lower face. If your concern is only the neck, a neck lift alone may be enough. If it is early or mild, energy-based skin tightening may delay the need for surgery — though it will not match a facelift’s result. We would rather you have the smaller procedure that genuinely fits than the larger one that doesn’t.
Risks and side effects
As with any surgery, a facelift carries risks: bleeding, infection, temporary numbness, and — rarely — temporary weakness of a facial nerve branch or visible scarring. Choosing a board-certified surgeon operating in an accredited hospital is the single biggest factor in keeping these risks low, which is precisely the standard we hold our partners to. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the UK’s BAAPS publish independent patient guidance worth reading before your consultation.
Cost of a facelift in Turkey
A facelift in Istanbul starts at an indicative €4,000, varying with the technique and whether a neck lift or eyelid surgery is combined in the same operation. That is typically 50–65% below UK or US pricing for equivalent surgery and accreditation — a reflection of lower local operating costs, not lower standards. The figure is a starting range, not a fixed quote; your firm price comes after a surgeon reviews your case. Compare indicative all-inclusive prices across every procedure in the plastic surgery cost guide.
Why Alpha Clinic
A facelift is permanent, so it must be planned carefully and performed by the right hands. Alpha Clinic Turkey has coordinated aesthetic care in Istanbul since 2012, matching patients to board-certified partner surgeons in accredited hospitals, with a written plan you approve and structured aftercare follow-up.
Send photos and your goals through the free consultation for an honest assessment, compare a neck lift or eyelid surgery, or see the full range on the plastic surgery hub.