Facelift in Türkiye

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens sagging skin and the deeper tissues of the face, softening jowls and deep folds for a firmer, more rested appearance. It is often chosen by people who feel their lower face has begun to look tired or heavy in a way that skincare and non-surgical treatments no longer address. Because the face and neck age together, a facelift is frequently planned alongside a neck lift for a balanced, natural-looking result.

Is this treatment right for you?

Suitable for: people with noticeable sagging in the cheeks, jowls or jawline who are in good general health and have realistic expectations.

Less ideal if: your main concern is skin texture, sun damage or fine lines, which may respond better to skin resurfacing treatments, or if health conditions or smoking make elective surgery inadvisable.

Suitability can only be confirmed by a qualified clinician after assessing you, which is why every plan begins with a free, personalised review rather than a fixed promise.

Process & recovery

A facelift is performed under general anaesthetic or sedation and typically takes two to four hours, depending on the technique and whether a neck lift is combined; a hospital stay of one or two nights is common. Swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are expected in the first two to three weeks, with subtle refinement continuing for months, and strenuous exercise is usually paused for several weeks. As with any surgery there are risks, including bleeding under the skin (haematoma), infection, visible scarring, asymmetry, numbness and, rarely, injury to the facial nerve. The treating surgeon will discuss these with you before you decide.

What is a facelift?

A facelift, known medically as a rhytidectomy, is an operation that repositions the skin and the deeper supporting layer of the face — often called the SMAS — to counteract the changes that come with age. Over time the skin loses elasticity, facial fat descends and the supporting tissues slacken, which can create jowls along the jawline, deep folds running from the nose to the mouth, marionette lines below the corners of the mouth and a general loss of definition in the lower face.

It helps to understand what a facelift does and does not treat. It addresses sagging and volume descent in the lower two-thirds of the face; it does not change the surface quality of the skin, so sun damage, fine lines and uneven tone may respond better to treatments such as laser skin resurfacing. It also does not lift a heavy brow or treat hooded eyelids, which are the roles of a brow lift and eyelid surgery. Because the jawline and neck age together, many surgeons plan a facelift alongside a neck lift so the result looks consistent from cheek to collarbone.

How facelift surgery works

On the day of surgery, a facelift in Türkiye is typically performed under general anaesthetic or sedation and takes around two to four hours, depending on the technique and any combined procedures. The surgeon makes incisions that usually begin in the hairline at the temples, continue around the ear and end in the lower scalp or behind the ear. The skin is lifted, the deeper tissues are tightened and repositioned, excess skin is removed and the incisions are closed with fine sutures. Small drains are sometimes placed for the first day or so, and a supportive dressing or garment is applied.

Several techniques are in common use, and the choice depends on your anatomy and the degree of sagging:

The treating surgeon will examine your face and neck together and explain which approach they recommend for you, including where the scars will sit and what each option can realistically achieve.

Recovery: what to expect

Recovery varies from person to person, but a general pattern looks like this:

Numbness of the cheeks and around the ears is common in the early months and usually improves, although in a small number of cases altered sensation can persist. Follow the treating surgeon’s advice on wound care, sleeping position, sun protection and returning to exercise, and report any sudden swelling or pain promptly, as this can be a sign of bleeding under the skin that needs review.

Results and longevity

A well-planned facelift aims for a naturally refreshed version of your own face — a firmer jawline, softer folds and less heaviness — rather than a tight or pulled look. Results are long-lasting and many people enjoy them for years, but no operation stops the ageing process: skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, smoking and weight changes all influence how the face continues to change. Scars are permanent, although they typically fade well and are hidden in and around the hairline and ears. In some cases asymmetry or relapse of laxity may lead to a discussion about revision surgery, which is why a thorough consultation and realistic expectations matter so much.

Having a facelift in Türkiye

We are a facilitator, not a hospital: we coordinate your facelift at accredited, Ministry of Health–authorised partner hospitals in Türkiye and connect you with the treating surgeon, who assesses your suitability and performs the operation. Your journey typically begins with a free online consultation and photo assessment, followed by a personalised, no-obligation treatment plan that sets out the recommended technique, the length of stay and what your all-inclusive package covers. Airport transfers, accommodation and interpreter support are arranged for you, so language is not a barrier at any point in your care.

After you return to the UK, follow-up continues remotely: the care team reviews your healing photos, answers questions and stays in touch through your recovery. You can see how each stage fits together on our patient journey page, or request a free, no-obligation personalised plan to find out whether a facelift is right for you.