Face Lift

At Gentle Clinic, our facelift (rhytidectomy) procedure is a sophisticated surgical treatment designed to rejuvenate your facial appearance by addressing multiple signs of aging. Your facelift journey begins with a detailed consultation where our specialist will evaluate your facial structure, skin elasticity, bone structure, and fat distribution, while discussing your aesthetic goals to create a personalized surgical plan. During this comprehensive consultation, we'll determine which type of facelift is most appropriate for you based on your specific concerns and anatomy. Options may include a traditional full facelift, a mid-facelift, a mini-facelift, or a neck lift, each addressing different areas and degrees of facial aging. We'll also discuss whether complementary procedures such as brow lift, eyelid surgery, or fat grafting might enhance your overall results. Before your surgery, you'll undergo a thorough pre-operative assessment including medical history review and necessary laboratory tests to ensure you're an ideal candidate for safe surgery. You'll receive detailed pre-operative instructions, including guidelines on medications to avoid (particularly blood thinners), smoking cessation at least two weeks before and after surgery, and dietary recommendations. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation with local anesthesia and takes approximately 3-5 hours depending on the extent of the surgery. For a traditional facelift, our surgeon begins with discreetly placed incisions that typically start in the temple area hidden within the hairline, continue around the ear, and may extend into the lower scalp. Through these incisions, the surgeon carefully lifts and repositions the underlying SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) layer—the connective tissue and muscle layer beneath the skin. This critical step provides a sturdy foundation for long-lasting results. The facial skin is then redraped naturally over the newly positioned underlying structures, and excess skin is precisely trimmed. Special attention is given to creating tension-free closure to ensure natural-looking results and optimal scar healing. If addressing the neck area, a small incision may be made under the chin to tighten the platysma muscle and remove excess fat. Fine sutures are used to close all incisions with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring minimal scarring once healed. Following surgery, your face will be bandaged with a compression garment to minimize swelling and bruising. Thin tubes may be temporarily placed to drain excess fluid. You'll spend a few hours in our recovery area before being discharged to your hotel with comprehensive aftercare instructions and medications to manage discomfort. The initial recovery period involves significant swelling and bruising, which peaks around days 2-3 and gradually subsides over the following weeks. Most patients experience tightness, mild to moderate discomfort, and temporary numbness in parts of the face, all of which are normal components of the healing process. You'll need to sleep with your head elevated for at least two weeks, avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects for 3-4 weeks, and protect your incisions from sun exposure. Sutures are typically removed in stages between 5-10 days post-surgery. While you'll notice an immediate change in your facial contours, significant swelling will initially mask your final results. Most patients can return to light activities within 10-14 days and resume normal social activities with the aid of makeup after approximately 2-3 weeks. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks. While most visible swelling resolves within 3-4 weeks, subtle swelling may persist for several months, with final results becoming fully apparent after 6 months as tissues settle and heal completely. Throughout your recovery, our team provides attentive follow-up care with regular appointments to monitor your healing progress, remove sutures, and address any concerns. The results of a facelift are long-lasting, typically maintaining improvement for 7-10 years, though the natural aging process continues. At Gentle Clinic, our approach focuses on creating harmonious, natural-looking results that refresh your appearance while preserving your unique facial character. Our patients consistently report not only looking younger but feeling more confident with their rejuvenated appearance.