How does a facelift procedure work?

Skin ageing is a natural process that often leads to changes in the skin such as loose skin, wrinkles, and fine lines. With these changes, some individuals seek cosmetic treatments to help address these age-related concerns, including plastic surgery, such as facelift.

In this blog, we provide general information about the procedure. If you’re interested in understanding more about facelift procedures and their potential benefits, a personalised consultation can provide detailed insights into what might suit your unique needs.

How does a facelift work?

A facelift typically involves an incision in the front of the ear, behind the tragus, and along the temporal hairline. Depending on the type of facelift, the incision may extend behind the ear and under the chin if combined with a neck lift. 

This incision allows the surgeon to have access to the underlying muscles, ligaments and skin to remove excess wrinkles, lifts facial skin and repositions deep layers of the face. 

How does facelift surgery potentially address skin ageing concerns?

1. May manage the appearance of loose skin 

Over time, loose skin may begin to develop, particularly around the cheeks and jawline. A facelift procedure typically involves carefully placed incisions along natural facial contours, such as near the ear and hairline, allowing for subtle repositioning and lifting of the skin.

2. Wrinkles

Eyes and mouth are the common parts of the face that develop wrinkles due to most facial movements. During a facelift, the surgeon can access deeper tissues and skin layers, which may assist in smoothing these areas by adjusting and repositioning underlying facial structures.

3. Jowls

The jowl area and jawline can sometimes change in definition as skin and underlying structures shift with age. A facelift can help reposition tissues in these areas, aiming to improve facial contours and achieve a balanced look in line with an individual’s natural features.

For those considering options to address ageing concerns, a consultation with a qualified professional is recommended. At Artiste Plastic Surgery, our Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Jack Zoumaras has a technical understanding of the anatomy of the ageing process, years of experience and international training on facelifts.

Before considering any surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedure, obtaining a referral from your GP and undergoing screening for BDD is essential. For in-depth discussion of options tailored to your unique situation, schedule an appointment today.

Disclaimer: At Artiste Plastic Surgery, our Plastic Surgeons led by Dr Jack Zoumaras have been trained to the highest possible degree. All surgery has risks and it is always advised to get a second opinion. Risks are very real and we cannot guarantee any result. Results are illustrated as a guide only. All risks are managed and any need for revision surgery or complications (1-5%) can be managed by our specialist plastic surgeons.

Any statements on how you will feel is based on Level V Evidence:

Level V:  How you will feel after plastic surgery varies between individuals, depending on psychological and physical factors. Our internal research is based on how patients in our practice feel after surgery.

The blogs are not a substitute for a medical consultation and do not form as part of the doctor to patient relationship.