Facelift Surgery

A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure to reduce the aging effect on the face and neck. This procedure involves tightening the skin and underlying tissues to address issues like sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and the loss of skin tone. A facelift may be combined with other cosmetic procedures like eyelid surgery or a nose job to improve overall facial aesthetics.

What Are The Benefits Of A Facelift?

A facelift offers several benefits for your facial appearance, some of which are as follows:

• Facelifts can target more than one issue in one go.
• A facelift can eliminate or reduce a double chin.
• A facelift can reduce your jowls, giving you a more contoured jawline.
• This treatment can reduce deep creases and wrinkles.
• It can be combined with other facial treatments for a more comprehensive outcome.
• It involves incisions in the skin areas that are not easily visible. Hence, facelift scars are usually invisible.
• A facelift delivers more natural results than many other treatments.

Before & After Results

No guarantee is given, as the results may vary from person to person.

Different Types of Facelift

There are different types of facelifts; each type differs based on the incision’s location, length, and pattern. Moreover, it addresses specific concerns and skin aging in a particular skin area. Here are the most common types of facelifts performed across clinics worldwide.

Traditional Facelift

A traditional or full facelift reduces or redistributes fat and removes excess skin on the face, jowls, and neck. This procedure also lifts muscles and deeper layers of the facial skin. This facelift aims to reduce skin saginess and deep creases and remove excess fat. The incision made during a traditional facelift begins behind the hairline at the temple area, goes around the ear, and ends in the lower scalp.

SMAS Facelift

SMAS Facelift is a type of traditional facelift that specifically targets the SMAS (Superficial muscular aponeurotic system) layer. SMAS is a layer of tissues lying under the skin and superficial facial muscles. During the procedure, this layer is lifted and folded over itself to create a tightening effect, potentially improving the appearance of aging signs on the face. The pattern of incisions involved in an SMAS facelift is the same as that of a traditional facelift.

Mini-Facelift

A mini-facelift is a less invasive procedure than a traditional facelift. It is designed to address mild aging signs, like wrinkles and minor sagging. The incisions of a mini-facelift are typically made around the ears.

Mid-Facelift

A mid-facelift or cheek lift helps rejuvenate the middle of the face, targeting the lower eyelids and the middle of the face. This facelift procedure is performed through incisions in the hairline and inside the mouth.

Neck Lift

A neck lift or submentoplasty mainly targets the neck and jowls. This procedure helps reduce skin sagginess, muscle banding, and excess fat. The incisions of a neck lift are typically made around the ear and extended to the lower scalp.

Composite Facelift

A composite facelift is a more comprehensive procedure as it combines the traditional and mid-facelift. This facelift procedure addresses aging signs on the face and neck extensively. The incisions of a composite facelift are the same as those of a traditional facelift.

Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift targets deeper layers and connective tissues in the skin. It typically manipulates the layers lying beneath the SMAS layer, providing more significant rejuvenation to the facial tissues. Therefore, this option is generally reserved for individuals experiencing severe skin sagginess and drooping. A deep plane facelift uses the same incision pattern as a traditional or SMAS facelift.

Ideal Candidate for a Facelift

An ideal candidate for a facelift is anyone who has:

• Moderate to severe aging signs
• Some elasticity in the skin
• Good overall health with no severe health conditions
• Realistic expectations about the procedure and its outcome

Preparing for a Facelift

To help you prepare for a facelift, your surgeon may advise you to:

• Get medically evaluated through lab tests.
• Take certain medications or change your current medications.
• Avoid NSAIDs, aspirin, and herbal supplements to reduce the bleeding risk.

What Happens During The Procedure?

A facelift is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation or, sometimes, general anesthesia. The type of anesthesia to be used is decided based on the complexity of the procedure.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision that typically covers the area around the ears. The length, depth, and pattern of the incision vary depending on the type of facelift being performed. This incision allows the surgeon to sculpt, remove, or redistribute the fat, tighten underlying muscles, and remove excess skin. They then re-drape the skin and close the incisions using sutures.

A facelift can take three to six hours, depending on the complexity and type of the procedure.

What to Expect After a Facelift?

After a facelift procedure, you will have bruising and swelling in the treated region for 2-3 weeks. Some people may heal more quickly or slowly. Your doctor will likely remove the bandages after a few days of the procedure. They will also ask you to visit them multiple times during 3-4 weeks to assess the pace of healing and remove stitches.

The exact recovery duration after a facelift depends on the type of procedure you underwent and your overall health. Generally, it may take two to three months to feel normal.

What Are The Results Of A Facelift?

A facelift involves removing and distributing fat and tightening the skin and underlying tissues. This results in an instant tightening effect that reduces or eliminates sagginess and other aging signs. However, it may take some time (generally 2-3 months) for the skin to adjust and final results to occur.

The results of a facelift are not permanent, as aging eventually gets the better of your rejuvenated appearance. Still, this treatment delivers longer-lasting results compared to most facial rejuvenation treatments. In general, the results of a facelift last anywhere between 6-15 years.

Cost of a Facelift

The starting cost of a facelift in Dubai can be around AED 45000. The exact or final price is usually calculated based on multiple factors involved in the treatment, such as:

• The type of facelift
• The complexity of the procedure, i.e., the depth and length of the incisions and the amount of fat and other tissues removed, sculpted, or redistributed
• Anesthesia fee
• The surgeon’s expertise
• The geographic location of the clinic or treatment facility

Is There A Non-Surgical Alternative To A Facelift?

Yes, non-surgical facelifts exist and are used as an alternative to surgical facelifts in specific scenarios. These are non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques to reduce the aging effect on the face and neck. They are best suited for individuals with fine lines, wrinkles, and mild to slightly moderate skin laxity.

Examples of non-surgical facelifts include the following:

• Botox injections
• Fat injections
• Dermal fillers
• Chemical peels
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Microneedling
• Fractional RF Microneedling
• Morpheus8
• HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) therapy

Facelift – Rhytidectomy FAQs

Our Facelift Surgeons

Free Consultation

Remember, the whole point of facelift surgery is to make you look and feel younger, which leads to feeling better about yourself. Each patient who opts for a facelift treatment will receive a tailor-made procedure that is customized for them only. Visit our clinic today or fill out the form given below to book an appointment online and learn more about the procedure. We offer a free initial consultation to all patients who are interested in getting facelifts in Dubai from one of our cosmetic surgeons.