The Ultimate Guide to Facelift

Looking for a radical approach to aging skin? A facelift could be what you're looking for.

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

The 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 will also last for around 10 years.

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 lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, or weight loss. You should also avoid taking medication that increases blood loss, such as aspirin.

After your surgery, you will need to wait for a month before you color 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 and when you are recuperating prop up your head with lots of pillows.

Get plenty of rest and do not do any housework, exercise, heavy lifting or hot saunas or showers for 2 to 3 weeks.

Facelift recovery time

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 get better after 48 hours.Bruising and swelling will begin to subside after 2 days, taking around 2 weeks to clear

You may wash your hair 24 hours after surgery but use the cool heat setting on the hairdryer. Do not drive, or do any heavy lifting for the first week, and swimming and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least a month. Do not wear make-up until you have been told you can. It will be at least 6 months before your facelift heals completely, both inside and out

What can I save on the cost of a facelift by going abroad?

Depending on where you go in the world you can save around 50% on facelift costs abroad, and in some cases up to 80%. Facelifts in the United States may set you back around $18,000, compared to:

Mexico facelift prices are on average $5,500

Thailand facelift prices are around $4,600