The Ultimate Guide to Facelift






Introduction


For a radical approach to combat the signs of aging, a facelift could be the answer. If you have been put off by the high prices at home, it's worth looking abroad—with many of the quality-checked hospitals and clinics listed on our site charging up to 70% less. 

Discover top facelift surgeons in places like Mexico, Thailand, Bali, Turkey, the Philippines and other South American, European and Asian countries with help from Medical Departures. 

A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, is one of the most complete approaches to treating aging skin. The surgery removes excess skin and tightens the tissues and muscles underneath. It can correct a range of problems including jowls, double chins, sagging and lines. Although there are now a variety of non-surgical, minimally invasive ‘lifts,’ surgical facelifts are still considered to be the most effective way of achieving a more youthful-looking face.

The main advantages of having a facelift are that it can improve many areas of the face in one procedure and make you look years younger. The effects can last around 10 years, whereas you may only notice the effects of non-surgical treatment for a few months. 

Am I Suitable for a Facelift?


You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you are in good general health and have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure and you have one or more of these characteristics:

  • Deep lines extending from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds)
  • Lines from the corner of the mouth down the chin (marionette lines)
  • Jowls
  • Sagging skin 
  • Creased and sagging skin in the neck
  • A double chin

Facelifts Before and After Surgery - Do's and Dont's


You will be given comprehensive instructions by your doctor before your facelift surgery. These may include making certain lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking to improve blood flow or weight loss, as required. You should also avoid taking medication that increases blood loss, such as aspirin.

Some other tips and considerations worth bearing in mind while you are still recuperating include:

  • Waiting at least a month before coloring your hair (or do it just before surgery).
     
  • Stock up with nutritious food including fruit, vegetables and lean protein to assist healing. Avoid salt as it increases swelling.
     
  • Wear clothing that opens at the front rather than slips over your head.
     
  • Prop up your head with lots of pillows when sitting or in bed.
     
  • Get plenty of rest and avoid activities like housework, exercise, heavy lifting, hot saunas or showers for two to three weeks.

Facelift Recovery Time


Recovery is an essential part of any surgery, so do take note of the following considerations before deciding whether facelift surgery is for you:

  • Straight after your surgery, you may be placed in a wrap or compression garment.
     
  • In order to reduce swelling, always recline rather than lie down and do not bend forward.
     
  • Discomfort and pain should begin to start to get better after 48 hours; bruising and swelling will begin to subside after two days, taking around two weeks to clear.
     
  • You may wash your hair with room temperature water 24 hours after surgery and do remember to use the cool heat setting on the hairdryer.
     
  • Do not drive, or do any heavy lifting for the first week; swimming and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least a month.
     
  • Do not wear make-up until you have been told you can by a medical professional.

It will be at least six months before your facelift heals completely, both inside and out. 

Always consult your surgeon as to when you will be able to safely fly back home (as this will depend on a number of factors, such as your post-surgery condition and the length of your flight). 

How Much Can I Save on the Price of Facelift Surgery by Going Abroad?


Depending on where you go in the world you can expect to save at least 50% on facelift costs abroad and in some cases up to 80%.

As an example, facelifts in the United States may set you back around $18,000, which is compared to:

[Please: the above-mentioned average prices are estimates based on data at the time of writing. These can be found on our clinic listing pages]

How Do I Schedule My Appointment?


Browse through our top-rated clinics in numerous destinations around the world; compare prices, read authenticated patient reviews, see before-and-after photos and, once you've made a decision, you can book through our site to secure the best prices online.

You can also connect with the Medical Departures Customer Care Team if you have any questions or need assistance with your booking. 

Sources:

Kita, Natalie. The Liquid or No-Surgery Face Lift. Very Well Health. 13 October 2019. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-liquid-face-lift-2710240

Herndon, Jaime, MS, MPH, MFA. Facelift: Everything You Need to Know. Healthline. 13 December 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/face-lift

Why you should quit smoking before having surgery. The Truth Initiative. 6 March 2017. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/harmful-effects-tobacco/why-you-should-quit-smoking-having-surgery

Whitlock, Jennifer, RN, MSN, FN. 10 Ways To Improve Your Recovery After Surgery. Very Well Health. February 2020. https://www.verywellhealth.com/post-surgery-recovery-tips-and-guide-3156833

Introduction
Am I Suitable for a Facelift?
Facelifts Before and After Surgery - Do's and Dont's
Facelift Recovery Time
How Much Can I Save on the Price of Facelift Surgery by Going Abroad?
How Do I Schedule My Appointment?

Introduction


For a radical approach to combat the signs of aging, a facelift could be the answer. If you have been put off by the high prices at home, it's worth looking abroad—with many of the quality-checked hospitals and clinics listed on our site charging up to 70% less. 

Discover top facelift surgeons in places like Mexico, Thailand, Bali, Turkey, the Philippines and other South American, European and Asian countries with help from Medical Departures. 

A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, is one of the most complete approaches to treating aging skin. The surgery removes excess skin and tightens the tissues and muscles underneath. It can correct a range of problems including jowls, double chins, sagging and lines. Although there are now a variety of non-surgical, minimally invasive ‘lifts,’ surgical facelifts are still considered to be the most effective way of achieving a more youthful-looking face.

The main advantages of having a facelift are that it can improve many areas of the face in one procedure and make you look years younger. The effects can last around 10 years, whereas you may only notice the effects of non-surgical treatment for a few months. 

Am I Suitable for a Facelift?


You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you are in good general health and have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure and you have one or more of these characteristics:

  • Deep lines extending from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds)
  • Lines from the corner of the mouth down the chin (marionette lines)
  • Jowls
  • Sagging skin 
  • Creased and sagging skin in the neck
  • A double chin

Facelifts Before and After Surgery - Do's and Dont's


You will be given comprehensive instructions by your doctor before your facelift surgery. These may include making certain lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking to improve blood flow or weight loss, as required. You should also avoid taking medication that increases blood loss, such as aspirin.

Some other tips and considerations worth bearing in mind while you are still recuperating include:

  • Waiting at least a month before coloring your hair (or do it just before surgery).
     
  • Stock up with nutritious food including fruit, vegetables and lean protein to assist healing. Avoid salt as it increases swelling.
     
  • Wear clothing that opens at the front rather than slips over your head.
     
  • Prop up your head with lots of pillows when sitting or in bed.
     
  • Get plenty of rest and avoid activities like housework, exercise, heavy lifting, hot saunas or showers for two to three weeks.

Facelift Recovery Time


Recovery is an essential part of any surgery, so do take note of the following considerations before deciding whether facelift surgery is for you:

  • Straight after your surgery, you may be placed in a wrap or compression garment.
     
  • In order to reduce swelling, always recline rather than lie down and do not bend forward.
     
  • Discomfort and pain should begin to start to get better after 48 hours; bruising and swelling will begin to subside after two days, taking around two weeks to clear.
     
  • You may wash your hair with room temperature water 24 hours after surgery and do remember to use the cool heat setting on the hairdryer.
     
  • Do not drive, or do any heavy lifting for the first week; swimming and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least a month.
     
  • Do not wear make-up until you have been told you can by a medical professional.

It will be at least six months before your facelift heals completely, both inside and out. 

Always consult your surgeon as to when you will be able to safely fly back home (as this will depend on a number of factors, such as your post-surgery condition and the length of your flight). 

How Much Can I Save on the Price of Facelift Surgery by Going Abroad?


Depending on where you go in the world you can expect to save at least 50% on facelift costs abroad and in some cases up to 80%.

As an example, facelifts in the United States may set you back around $18,000, which is compared to:

[Please: the above-mentioned average prices are estimates based on data at the time of writing. These can be found on our clinic listing pages]

How Do I Schedule My Appointment?


Browse through our top-rated clinics in numerous destinations around the world; compare prices, read authenticated patient reviews, see before-and-after photos and, once you've made a decision, you can book through our site to secure the best prices online.

You can also connect with the Medical Departures Customer Care Team if you have any questions or need assistance with your booking. 

Sources:

Kita, Natalie. The Liquid or No-Surgery Face Lift. Very Well Health. 13 October 2019. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-liquid-face-lift-2710240

Herndon, Jaime, MS, MPH, MFA. Facelift: Everything You Need to Know. Healthline. 13 December 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/face-lift

Why you should quit smoking before having surgery. The Truth Initiative. 6 March 2017. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/harmful-effects-tobacco/why-you-should-quit-smoking-having-surgery

Whitlock, Jennifer, RN, MSN, FN. 10 Ways To Improve Your Recovery After Surgery. Very Well Health. February 2020. https://www.verywellhealth.com/post-surgery-recovery-tips-and-guide-3156833



Why Medical Departures?

Awesome savings

Save up to 70% compared to treatment at home

Maximum selection

Browse 992 clinics in 11 countries

Shop in your currency

Browse for the cost of treatment in your currency

Latest review

Tolga Y.

28 2025


The hospital where I have received excellent service for years

Sibel B.

28 2025


We had a great experience, our doctor Oray Karaçaylı is extremely professional. Thanks to his trust and warm approach, my daughter did not experience any problems before and after the surgery. The nurses on duty were also very attentive and caring. There were only no consumables in our room, we got soap and paper after a 3-hour wait.

Sema E.

28 2025


I would like to thank the gynecologist Dr. Bilgi Gökcan for his beautiful smiling face and the entire staff team. Thank you very much.

Cengiz C.

28 2025


I went to the hospital for the second time yesterday and I would like to thank the gentleman in a suit at the entrance, the doctors and the security guards for their interest and concern. Everyone was very open to communication and explanatory.

Alper V.

28 2025


Dear Professor Cenk Ersavaş, I cannot thank you enough for the abscess drainage surgery I had on February 11th. As someone who had previously undergone an unsuccessful operation and an unnecessary intervention, I was worried when I came to you. However, I reached out to you by trusting the comments on the internet and I understood very clearly how right I was during and after the surgery. You are not only an excellent surgeon, but also a sincere and trustworthy person who approaches his patients like a brother, who is always accessible. I am 40 years old and I have never met such a doctor before. I feel very lucky to have met you. Brother Cenk, thank you so much for everything! I am so glad you exist, I am so glad I got to know you.

sami L.

28 2025


My doctor is a cardiologist, Güçlü. I was very pleased with him and his team. May they not suffer. Best regards.

bahar G.

28 2025


All the doctors are very good and egoless. They do not look down on people and speak with attitude. The dialogue between the doctors is also very good and they successfully produced a solution to a complicated situation together. The nurses and the desk clerks are very cheerful. We slept on the second floor. The floors and rooms are clean and the food is very good. If you have any health problems, first go to a Memorial Ataşehir.

Sabina E.

28 2025


I gave birth there too, 5 years later we went to Dr. Bülent Karadağ for my daughter's allergies... We were very, very pleased... He listened in detail and found a solution.

Sevim T.

28 2025


My treatment has not started yet, but after the necessary tests, I have infinite trust in my doctor about the diagnosis, treatment and results that are appropriate for my age and data. Thank you. My treatment continues, I am grateful for my doctor's patient and cheerful persuasive approach, thank you.

senay D.

28 2025


I was treated as an inpatient in your hospital for a week. My doctor Murat Ferhat Ferhat Oglu, all your healthcare personnel, food service, cleaning staff provided an amazing service. I would like to thank your institution and healthcare workers very much.


How Do I Book?

chat.svg

Use Our Online Chat Services

Please click on 'Chat With Us'

global.svg

Book Online

Book your appointment with absolute confidence with Medical Departures.

Latest Promotions