Jowls and a loose neck
Sagging along the jawline and neck that has become noticeable, often from the forties onward.
Facial plastic surgery
Facelift & Neck Lift in Turkey
A facelift treats sagging in the lower face and along the jawline, while a neck lift addresses loose skin and bands below the chin; the two are often performed together. This page explains the main techniques, recovery in Istanbul and the limits of surgery.
In short
What does a facelift in Turkey involve?
A facelift is surgery that lifts the deeper tissues of the lower face and neck and removes excess skin, often taking three to five hours under general anesthesia or sedation. Patients having a facelift in Turkey typically stay in Istanbul for ten to fourteen days. Most bruising settles within two to three weeks, while the result matures over months.
What is a facelift and how does it work?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that lifts and repositions the deeper supporting tissues of the lower face and neck, then removes excess skin so it lies without tension. Lifting the deeper layer, rather than only pulling the skin, helps the result look natural and last.
What a facelift and neck lift address
- Jowls Sagging along the jawline that blurs its outline.
- Deep folds Lines from the nose to the mouth corners, which a facelift can soften but not erase.
- Neck laxity Loose skin, fat under the chin and visible muscle bands, treated with a neck lift.
SMAS and deep plane techniques
The SMAS is the fibrous layer beneath the skin that supports the face. In a SMAS facelift the surgeon tightens or folds this layer; in a deep plane facelift the surgeon works beneath it and releases specific ligaments so the tissue moves as one unit. Both are established techniques, and the right one depends on your anatomy.
Mini facelift and neck lift
A mini facelift uses shorter incisions for early jowling in patients with good skin quality. A neck lift tightens the neck muscle and removes excess skin and fat through incisions under the chin and behind the ears. Some patients add eyelid surgery for a balanced refresh; all options are in our guide to plastic surgery in Turkey.
Facelift at a glance
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia or sedation
- Operation time
- Often 3–5 hours; longer with added procedures
- Typical time in Istanbul
- About 10–14 days
- Back to desk work
- Often after 2–3 weeks
- Strenuous exercise
- Usually after 4–6 weeks
- Final result
- Matures over 6–12 months
SMAS vs deep plane facelift: what is the difference?
| SMAS facelift | Deep plane facelift | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer treated | SMAS tightened by folding or trimming it | Tissue released beneath the SMAS and moved as one unit |
| Often chosen for | Mild to moderate jowls and neck laxity | More pronounced sagging, including the midface |
| Operating time | Often shorter | Often longer and more technically demanding |
| Incisions | Around the ears, into the hairline | Similar placement around the ears |
Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
Some skin elasticity
Skin that still has some elasticity, over a supportive facial structure, usually responds better to lifting.
Non-smoker
Nicotine raises the risk of poor skin healing, so stopping for several weeks before and after is usually required.
Stable weight and good health
A stable weight and well-controlled blood pressure lower the risk of complications.
What are the steps of a facelift in Istanbul?
- 01
Assessment and planning
A surgeon reviews your photos, then examines your face, neck and skin in person to agree which areas to treat and how. - 02
Pre-operative checks
Blood tests, a medical review and an anesthesia assessment confirm that surgery is safe; blood pressure control matters especially. - 03
Anesthesia
The operation is performed under general anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia, monitored by an anesthesiologist. - 04
Lifting the deeper layer
Through incisions around the ears, the surgeon lifts and secures the SMAS or deep plane tissue and tightens the neck muscle if needed. - 05
Redraping and closure
The skin is redraped without tension, the excess removed and the incisions closed; a small drain and a supportive dressing are often used. - 06
Hospital stay and fit-to-fly check
Many patients stay one night. Drains come out within a day or two, and the surgeon checks healing before approving your flight.
How long does facelift recovery take?
Most people feel comfortable in public after two to three weeks, though subtle swelling, tightness and numbness can last a few months. A typical timeline:
- Days 1–3 Swelling, bruising and tightness peak; rest with the head raised and keep the dressing on as advised.
- Weeks 1–2 Drains and stitches come out, and bruising starts to fade.
- Weeks 2–3 Many people return to desk work, though numbness around the ears is common.
- Weeks 4–6 Most visible swelling settles and strenuous exercise can usually resume.
- Months 3–12 Residual swelling and numbness fade, and scars soften.
Avoid sharp neck movements, heavy lifting and sun on the scars until your surgeon clears them. Our medical tourism guide explains transfers, accommodation and aftercare once you are back home.
What are the risks of a facelift?
A facelift is major surgery. Most side effects are temporary, but some complications need prompt treatment or further surgery, and your surgeon explains them in detail before you consent.
Common, usually temporary
- Swelling and bruising Usually easing over two to three weeks.
- Numbness Around the cheeks and ears, generally improving over months.
- Tightness A tight feeling in the neck and jaw while tissues settle.
Less common complications
A collection of blood under the skin (hematoma) that may need draining, infection, poor healing or skin loss (more likely in smokers), widened scars, hair loss near the incisions and, rarely, facial nerve injury, which is usually temporary but can be permanent.
Flying after surgery
Longer operations followed by long-haul flights raise the risk of blood clots in the legs and lungs. Your surgeon assesses your personal risk, decides when you are fit to fly and may advise compression stockings, walking and fluids for the journey.
Limits and who should not proceed
A facelift does not stop aging, change skin texture or remove fine lines around the eyes and mouth. Surgery is usually not advised if you cannot stop smoking or have uncontrolled blood pressure or a bleeding disorder. A consultation with a surgeon is the place to weigh these points honestly.
Frequently asked questions
How long do facelift results last?
A facelift sets the clock back rather than stopping it, and many people are pleased with the change for years. How long results last depends on skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, smoking and weight stability. Some patients consider a smaller procedure many years later as natural aging continues.
How long should I stay in Istanbul for a facelift?
Most patients plan ten to fourteen days in Istanbul. That covers the consultation and tests, surgery with an overnight stay, drain and stitch removal, and a final review before your surgeon confirms you are fit to fly. Combined procedures may need a longer stay.
How much does a facelift cost in Turkey?
The cost of a facelift in Turkey depends on the technique, whether a neck lift or other procedures are added, the length of anesthesia and hospital stay, and what is included, such as tests, accommodation and transfers. A personal quote follows the surgeon’s assessment of your photos and goals.
Do I need a neck lift as well as a facelift?
Not always. If sagging is mainly along the jawline, a facelift alone may be enough; if the concern is loose neck skin, fat under the chin or visible bands, a neck lift is often added. Many surgeons treat the lower face and neck together because they age as one unit.
What is the difference between a mini facelift and a full facelift?
A mini facelift uses shorter incisions to treat early jowling, usually with a quicker recovery. A full facelift addresses the lower face and neck more extensively and suits more advanced sagging. The better option depends on how much laxity you have, and your surgeon explains the trade-offs.
Will facelift scars be visible?
Incisions are usually placed in natural creases in front of and behind the ears, within the hairline and sometimes under the chin. Scars typically look pink at first and fade over months, and they are usually easy to conceal with hair, although healing varies between individuals.
Related
Other treatments to consider
Face
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Blepharoplasty removes or repositions excess skin and fat of the upper or lower eyelids to ease a heavy or tired look.
FaceRhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)
Nose reshaping surgery to improve proportion, breathing or both, using an open or closed approach under general anesthesia.
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