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EDUCATION25 April 2026

Rhytidectomy (Facelift)

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Duration

2-3 hours

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Downtime

2-4 weeks

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lasts for

10-20 years

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Cost

11000-15000$

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Setting

Outpatient

Overview

Facelift is a popular cosmetic procedure with 131,000 annual treatments in the United States. It rejuvenates the face by reducing wrinkles and excess skin (softening wrinkles and tightening loose skin).

Candidates

We recommend facelift, rhytidectomy, for individuals in their 40s or 50s who have:

Benefits

Perceived age: 7 – 10 years younger Meretsky CR, Hausner P, Flynn BP, Schiuma AT. A Systematic Review and Comparative Analysis of Reconstructive Rhytidectomy: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Patient Outcomes. Cureus. Published online October 7, 2024. doi:10.7759/cureus.71006

High Satisfaction: 95% of patients are satisfied with their results  Sarcu, D., & Adamson, P. (2017). Psychology of the Facelift Patient. Facial Plastic Surgery, 33(03), 252–259. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1598071

Long-lasting: 10-15 years.  Kim, B. J., Choi, J. H., & Lee, Y. (2015). Development of Facial Rejuvenation Procedures: Thirty Years of Clinical Experience with Face Lifts. Archives of Plastic Surgery, 42(05), 521–531. https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2015.42.5.521

Common Misconceptions

Facelift is not Suitable for Men 

A growing number of men undergo this procedure to restore a more youthful appearance. Surgeons tailor the procedure according to an individual’s bone structure and skin thickness.  

Delaying Facelift is Better 

Some believe they should delay facelift until skin sagging and wrinkles are pronounced, hoping to get facelift once in their lifetime.  

However, the longer you wait, the heavier and more obvious the correction is. Having the procedure around the age of 50 or earlier yields subtler and more natural-looking results. Marcus, B. C. (2012). Rhytidectomy: Current concepts, controversies and the state of the art. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 20(4), 262–266. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0b013e328355b175

Facelift Replaces other Anti-aging care 

Facelift tightens skin but doesn’t improve texture or tone. You should follow daily sun protection and a solid skincare routine to optimize your results. 

Facelift Makes You Age Faster Once its Effect Fades 

Your face will keep aging at its normal pace; facelift just turns the clock back. As its effect fades, you catch up to your real age and not ahead of it.  Botti, C., Botti, G., & Pascali, M. (2021). Facial Aging Surgery: Healing Time, Duration Over the Years, and the Right Time to Perform a Facelift. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 41(11), NP1408–NP1420. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjab304

Procedure Types

Facial Area Treated

Facelift can involve part of or the whole face depending on your specific goal.

Full Facelift

Eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, chin, and neck Yang, J., Ko, Y.-H., Paik, J.-W., Lee, M.-S., Han, C., Joe, S.-H., Jung, I.-K., Jung, H.-G., & Kim, S.-H. (2012). Symptom severity and attitudes toward medication: Impacts on adherence in outpatients with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 134(2–3), 226–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2011.11.008

Incision at the hairline of your temples and extends downwards in front of the ear, then goes behind the ear until it reaches the lower scalp.  

Another incision can be made under the chin. 

Midface lift

Cheeks and nasolabial folds  Pérez P, Hohman MH. Midface Lift. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed June 18, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563237/

Two small incisions from the outer temple hairline, passing in front of the ear till the hairline behind the ear.

Mini Facelift

Lower 2/3 of face and upper neck  Van Pham T, Truong KHTN. Short or Minimum Incision Deep Plane/Extended Deep Plane Facelift/Rhytidectomy. Facial Plast Surg. 2020;36(04):376-385. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1714118

Short incision from the temple hairline to the front of the ear

Depth of the Lift

Facelift is not one size fits all. Your surgeon may tighten just the skin or also lift muscle and fat, depending on your bone structure, aging changes, and aesthetic goal. Boyd, C. J., & Ceradini, D. J. (2025). Current Trends in Facelift and Necklift Procedures. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(12), 4273. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124273

Superficial Lift 

Deep Lift 

Subtle short-term Changes 

More dramatic, Longer-term Lifting 

Safer and Faster recovery 

More Risky and Longer Downtime 

Anesthesia

General anesthesia is usually used especially for deep full facelifts. Local anesthesia with sedation can be used in less complicated procedures and minor facelifts.

Risks

Facelift surgery is a safe operation. Most complications are temporary and curable, while long-term consequences are rare. Gandra, G., Silva, B. S., & Horta, R. (2025). Facelift Surgery and Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-04932-7 Jacono, A. A., Alemi, A. S., & Russell, J. L. (2019). A Meta-Analysis of Complication Rates Among Different SMAS Facelift Techniques. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(9), 927–942. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz045 Mortada, H., Alkilani, N., Halawani, I. R., Zaid, W. A., Alkahtani, R. S., Saqr, H., & Neel, O. F. (2024). Evolution of Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System Facelift Techniques: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Complications and Outcomes. JPRAS Open, 39, 166–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2023.06.003 Urso-Baiarda, F., Edmondson, S.-J., & Grover, R. (2018). The Evidence for Adjunctive Facelift Procedures. Facial Plastic Surgery, 34(06), 624–630. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1675750

 Adverse Reaction 

% 

Fate/What Will Happen? 

Blood collection under the skin 

1-2%  Chopan, M., Samant, S., & Mast, B. A. (2020). Contemporary Analysis of Rhytidectomy Using the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons Database with 13,346 Patients. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 145(6), 1402–1408. https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000006813 Jacono, A. A., Alemi, A. S., & Russell, J. L. (2019). A Meta-Analysis of Complication Rates Among Different SMAS Facelift Techniques. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(9), 927–942. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz045 Mortada, H., Alkilani, N., Halawani, I. R., Zaid, W. A., Alkahtani, R. S., Saqr, H., & Neel, O. F. (2024). Evolution of Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System Facelift Techniques: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Complications and Outcomes. JPRAS Open, 39, 166–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2023.06.003 Sinclair, N. R., Coombs, D. M., Kwiecien, G., & Zins, J. E. (2021). How to Prevent and Treat Complications in Facelift Surgery, Part 1: Short-Term Complications. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab007

Removed by a needle or surgical cut 

Facial nerve injury (Asymmetry)  

0.5-2%   Gandra, G., Silva, B. S., & Horta, R. (2025). Facelift Surgery and Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-04932-7 Jacono, A. A., Alemi, A. S., & Russell, J. L. (2019). A Meta-Analysis of Complication Rates Among Different SMAS Facelift Techniques. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(9), 927–942. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz045 Mortada, H., Alkilani, N., Halawani, I. R., Zaid, W. A., Alkahtani, R. S., Saqr, H., & Neel, O. F. (2024). Evolution of Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System Facelift Techniques: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Complications and Outcomes. JPRAS Open, 39, 166–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2023.06.003 Sinclair, N. R., Coombs, D. M., Kwiecien, G., & Zins, J. E. (2021). How to Prevent and Treat Complications in Facelift Surgery, Part 1: Short-Term Complications. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab007

Resolve spontaneously in days to weeks but can take up to 2-4 months. 

Permanent in 0.05% (1 in 2,000)  Gandra, G., Silva, B. S., & Horta, R. (2025). Facelift Surgery and Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-04932-7 Jacono, A. A., Alemi, A. S., & Russell, J. L. (2019). A Meta-Analysis of Complication Rates Among Different SMAS Facelift Techniques. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(9), 927–942. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz045

Numbness and tingling  

0.3-7%  

(Permanent in 0.05%)  Gandra, G., Silva, B. S., & Horta, R. (2025). Facelift Surgery and Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-04932-7 Sinclair, N. R., Coombs, D. M., Kwiecien, G., & Zins, J. E. (2021). How to Prevent and Treat Complications in Facelift Surgery, Part 1: Short-Term Complications. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab007

Sensation typically returns within ~1 year as other nerves compensate.  Gandra, G., Silva, B. S., & Horta, R. (2025). Facelift Surgery and Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-04932-7

Skin tissue death 

0.4%  Mortada, H., Alkilani, N., Halawani, I. R., Zaid, W. A., Alkahtani, R. S., Saqr, H., & Neel, O. F. (2024). Evolution of Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System Facelift Techniques: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Complications and Outcomes. JPRAS Open, 39, 166–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2023.06.003 (up to 3–4% in smokers or extensive techniques) Sinclair, N. R., Coombs, D. M., Kwiecien, G., & Zins, J. E. (2021). How to Prevent and Treat Complications in Facelift Surgery, Part 1: Short-Term Complications. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab007

Removal of dead tissue and proper wound care. 

Infection 

0.3% Gupta, V., Winocour, J., Shi, H., Shack, R. B., Grotting, J. C., & Higdon, K. K. (2016). Preoperative Risk Factors and Complication Rates in Facelift: Analysis of 11,300 Patients. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 36(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjv162

Antibiotics before and after the surgery. 

0.18% require hospitalization Sinclair, N. R., Coombs, D. M., Kwiecien, G., & Zins, J. E. (2021). How to Prevent and Treat Complications in Facelift Surgery, Part 1: Short-Term Complications. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab007

Hair loss at incision line  

8% (persistent in 1 – 3 %) Marcus, B. C. (2012). Rhytidectomy: Current concepts, controversies and the state of the art. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 20(4), 262–266. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0b013e328355b175  

Can be minimized with proper surgical technique 

Deformity of the earlobe  

Rare 

Might require re-operation Cristel, R. T., & Irvine, L. E. (2019). Common Complications in Rhytidectomy. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 27(4), 519–527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2019.07.008

What puts you at a higher risk? 

Chapter references

  1. 1
    Marcus, B. C. (2012). Rhytidectomy: Current concepts, controversies and the state of the art. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 20(4), 262–266. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0b013e328355b175
  2. 2
    Meretsky CR, Hausner P, Flynn BP, Schiuma AT. A Systematic Review and Comparative Analysis of Reconstructive Rhytidectomy: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Patient Outcomes. Cureus. Published online October 7, 2024. doi:10.7759/cureus.71006
  3. 3
    Sarcu, D., & Adamson, P. (2017). Psychology of the Facelift Patient. Facial Plastic Surgery, 33(03), 252–259. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1598071
  4. 4
    Kim, B. J., Choi, J. H., & Lee, Y. (2015). Development of Facial Rejuvenation Procedures: Thirty Years of Clinical Experience with Face Lifts. Archives of Plastic Surgery, 42(05), 521–531. https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2015.42.5.521
  5. 5
    Botti, C., Botti, G., & Pascali, M. (2021). Facial Aging Surgery: Healing Time, Duration Over the Years, and the Right Time to Perform a Facelift. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 41(11), NP1408–NP1420. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjab304
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