Breast Augmentation
Increasing breast size and improving shape using implants or fat transfer.
Face Lift Surgery
Overview
A face lift (rhytidectomy) repositions the deeper layer of facial tissue and removes lax skin to address sagging of the cheeks, jawline and neck. It does not stop ageing, and it does not change skin quality — it addresses descent and laxity. It is often combined with treatments that improve skin texture, which a face lift alone cannot do.
Mini, full, or mid-face
“Face lift” covers a range of extent, and matching the right scope to your degree of sagging is most of what a consultation is for.
- Mini face lift — a smaller-scale lift through shorter incisions, suited to earlier, milder sagging, with a shorter recovery than a full lift.
- Full face lift — repositions the deeper tissue of the cheeks, jawline and (often) neck for more established sagging, with a longer incision and longer recovery to match the more extensive correction.
- Mid-face lift — focuses specifically on the cheek area and nasolabial folds, for patients whose main concern is mid-face volume descent rather than the jawline or neck.
- Neck lift — frequently performed alongside a face lift, but also a complete procedure in its own right for patients whose primary concern is the neck and jawline.
- Thread lift — a non-surgical alternative for early sagging only; see thread lift for who this suits instead of surgery.
Benefits of this treatment
Addresses sagging directly
Repositions descended tissue in the cheeks, jawline and neck — something non-surgical treatments cannot fully replicate.
Long-lasting result
Results typically last 8–12 years, longer than any non-surgical alternative.
Can be tailored in extent
From a mini lift to a full lift, the procedure is scaled to your degree of sagging.
Often combined with neck lift
Many patients address the jawline and neck together for a more complete result.
How the procedure is performed
-
1
20 minutes
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia, or local with sedation for smaller-scope lifts.
-
2
15 minutes
Incision
Incisions are placed along the hairline and around the ear, planned to be concealed by hair and natural contours.
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3
2–3 hours
Repositioning
Deeper tissue layers are lifted and repositioned, not just the skin — this is what gives a natural, lasting result rather than a pulled look.
-
4
30 minutes
Closure
Excess skin is trimmed and incisions closed with fine sutures.
Recovery and aftercare
-
Days 1–3
Swelling and bruising
At their peak; drains (if used) are typically removed within the first day or two.
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Weeks 1–2
Stitches removed
Sutures come out and most visible bruising has substantially faded.
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Weeks 3–4
Back in public confidently
Most residual swelling has resolved enough for public-facing activities.
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Months 3–6
Final result
Remaining subtle swelling resolves and the final contour settles.
Risks and side effects
Swelling and bruising
More pronounced and longer-lasting than smaller facial procedures, given the extent of tissue repositioning.
Numbness
Temporary reduced sensation around the incisions and treated areas is common.
Scarring
Permanent but planned to be hidden within the hairline and natural ear contours.
Rarer complications
- Haematoma — A collection of blood under the skin that may need prompt drainage — the most time-sensitive early complication to watch for.
- Nerve injury — Rare, and usually temporary when it occurs, affecting facial movement or sensation.
- Hair loss near incisions — Uncommon, usually temporary, along the incision line.
What it costs
What affects the price
Extent of lift
A mini lift costs less than a full lift, reflecting the difference in surgical time and scope.
Combined neck lift
Adding neck lift surgery in the same session increases the overall cost.
Revision vs primary
A second face lift (years after a first) is priced differently from an initial procedure.
Frequently asked questions
A well-performed face lift restores a more youthful contour without changing your fundamental features — the goal is looking like a rested version of yourself, not someone else.
Typically 8–12 years, though ageing continues afterwards — a face lift resets the clock rather than stopping it permanently.
A face lift surgically repositions deeper tissue for a substantial, long-lasting change. A thread lift is non-surgical, suited to earlier and milder sagging, with a shorter-lasting result.
Only if neck laxity is a concern for you — many patients combine the two, but a face lift alone fully addresses the cheeks and jawline.
Related
Treatments patients also consider
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Next step
Considering Face Lift Surgery?
Book a consultation and get a straight answer on whether this is right for you, what it involves, and what it will cost. No obligation to proceed.
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