Facelift — Before & After
Surgical lifting and tightening of the lower face and neck to reverse signs of aging.
Real facelift photos coming soon
We're curating consented, licensed before-and-after images for Facelift. Until they're live, this page covers the technique, recovery, cost, and what to expect.
What is facelift?
Surgical lifting and tightening of the lower face and neck to reverse signs of aging.
Also known as rhytidectomy, smas lift, deep plane facelift.
Facelift by topic
Information pages — cost, recovery, surgeons, and more
Facelift by recovery timeline
How the result evolves over time
Facelift by demographic
Age and gender breakdowns of common candidates
Facelift by ethnicity
Anatomical and aesthetic considerations across patient backgrounds
Facelift by outcome reality
Range of results — from natural to cautionary
Facelift by where it's performed
Regional approaches and aesthetic preferences
Frequently asked
What's the difference between a facelift and a deep plane facelift?
Standard SMAS facelift tightens the skin and superficial muscle layer. Deep plane facelift releases and repositions deeper facial ligaments — more difficult surgery, more natural look, longer-lasting result. Top facial-plastic surgeons increasingly choose deep plane.
How long does a facelift last?
SMAS facelifts last 7–10 years on average. Deep plane facelifts often last 10–15 years. The face still ages, but from a younger baseline.
How old should you be for a facelift?
Most patients are 50–70. Younger patients (40s) may benefit from mini facelift or less-invasive options like deep plane only on lower face. The right time is when non-surgical options stop providing meaningful improvement.
What's the recovery like for a facelift?
Drains 1–2 days, peak bruising at days 3–5, sutures out at day 7. Most patients are publicly comfortable by week 3. Tightness, lumps, and numbness gradually resolve over 2–6 months. Final result at 6 months.
Are there non-surgical alternatives to a facelift?
Thread lifts, Ultherapy, Sofwave, Morpheus8, and serial filler can address mild laxity. None replicate moderate-to-severe facelift results. They're best at delaying the need for surgery, not replacing it.