Face Procedure 13 · Face Lift
A face lift that pulls skin looks like a face lift. One that repositions the deeper tissue layer looks like you, rested. The difference is the technique — and it is the whole conversation.
Board-Certified Surgeons
DHA-licensed surgical facility
Deep Plane Technique
The SMAS repositioned, not skin pulled
Incisions in Natural Creases
Hairline and around the ear, planned to sit in shadow
Rested, Not Tightened
Skin redraped without tension
In Short
A face lift, or rhytidectomy, repositions the deeper tissue layers of the face — the SMAS — to correct jowling, midface descent and neck laxity. Modern deep plane and SMAS techniques lift and reposition this layer rather than pulling on skin, which is what produces a natural, unstretched result. Incisions follow the hairline and the natural creases around the ear. Most patients return to social activity within two to three weeks.
The Procedure
Facial ageing is not primarily a skin problem. Beneath the skin lies the SMAS — the superficial musculoaponeurotic system — a fibrous layer connected to the facial muscles. With time this layer descends, taking the fat compartments with it. Jowls form along the jawline, the midface flattens, and the neck loses its angle.
This explains why skin-only lifts produced the tight, wind-blown results that gave facelifts their reputation. Pulling skin over a descended deeper layer creates tension at the surface without restoring underlying position. Modern technique lifts the SMAS itself and repositions it upward and backward, so the skin is redraped without tension.
Deep plane technique releases the ligaments that tether the SMAS and lifts the entire unit as a single composite layer, which allows genuine midface repositioning rather than only jawline improvement. A face lift does not treat skin quality, pigmentation or volume loss — those need resurfacing and fat transfer, which are frequently planned alongside it.
Techniques & Options
01
The SMAS and overlying tissue are lifted as one composite unit after releasing the retaining ligaments, allowing genuine repositioning of the midface as well as the jawline. It is the most comprehensive technique and produces the most natural, longest-lasting result in suitable patients.
02
The SMAS layer is tightened or repositioned separately from the skin. A well-established, versatile technique with a strong evidence base, appropriate for a wide range of patients.
03
A shorter-scar lift addresses early jawline laxity in younger patients with limited descent. A neck lift specifically addresses banding and loss of the neck angle, and is very commonly combined with a full face lift rather than performed alone.
Candidacy
01
Skin quality, tissue descent, volume loss, neck anatomy and bone structure are assessed separately, since each needs a different solution and only some of them are treated by lifting.
02
Deep plane, SMAS, mini or combined with a neck lift is chosen from the pattern and degree of descent, not from a fixed clinic preference.
03
Incisions follow the hairline and the natural creases in front of and behind the ear, planned to sit in shadow and concealed by hair where possible.
04
The deeper layer is released and repositioned upward and backward. This is the step that determines both how natural and how durable the result is.
05
Skin is redraped over the repositioned foundation and trimmed without tension. Tension at the skin level is what creates a stretched appearance and widened scars.
06
One night in hospital, with a supportive dressing. Scheduled reviews follow at one week, six weeks and six months.
Techniques Compared
| Deep Plane | SMAS | Mini Lift | Thread Lift | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layer treated | Composite SMAS and skin | SMAS, then skin | Limited SMAS | Subcutaneous only |
| Midface repositioning | Yes | Partial | Minimal | Minimal |
| Result duration | 10–15 years | 8–12 years | 5–8 years | 12–18 months |
| Surgery | Yes, general anaesthetic | Yes, general anaesthetic | Yes | No |
| Recovery | 2–3 weeks | 2–3 weeks | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 days |
| Scar | Hairline and around ear | Hairline and around ear | Shorter | None |
| Best for | Moderate to advanced descent | Moderate descent | Early jawline laxity | Very mild laxity |
The Honest View
A face lift is major surgery under general anaesthetic, with risks including bleeding, haematoma, infection, temporary or rarely permanent facial nerve weakness, altered sensation, hair loss around incisions and scarring. Social downtime is two to three weeks and swelling takes six to eight weeks to settle meaningfully. Smoking substantially increases the risk of skin flap healing problems in this procedure specifically. It does not stop ageing, and it does not treat skin texture or volume loss.
Recovery
Days 1–3
Swelling and bruising peak. Head elevated at all times. A supportive dressing is worn.
Days 5–10
Dressings and sutures removed in stages. Bruising begins to fade and moves downward.
Weeks 2–3
Most patients feel comfortable in social settings. Makeup can be used to conceal residual bruising.
Weeks 4–6
Swelling substantially reduced. Cleared for progressive return to exercise.
Weeks 6–8
Numbness and firmness improve steadily. The result begins to look natural rather than tight.
Months 6–12
Final settled result. Scars mature, soften and fade into the hairline and ear creases.
Google Reviews
Very friendly and professional.
— Alireza Mahmoudian, Verified Google Review
Not if the deeper layer is repositioned properly. The tight, wind-blown appearance people fear comes from skin-only lifts that pull the surface over a descended foundation. Deep plane and SMAS techniques lift the foundation itself, so skin is redraped without tension.
A deep plane lift typically holds for ten to fifteen years, a SMAS lift for eight to twelve, and a mini lift for five to eight. Ageing continues regardless, but you generally continue to look younger than you would have without surgery.
A SMAS lift tightens or repositions the deeper layer separately from the skin. A deep plane lift releases the retaining ligaments and lifts the SMAS and overlying tissue together as one composite unit, which allows genuine midface repositioning. Deep plane is more technically demanding and generally produces a more natural and longer-lasting result in suitable patients.
No. A face lift repositions tissue; it does not change skin quality, pigmentation or fine lines. Those need resurfacing, and volume loss needs fat transfer. Many patients have these planned alongside the lift precisely because a lift alone leaves part of the picture untouched.
Following the hairline at the temple, down the natural crease in front of the ear, around the earlobe and behind the ear into the hairline. They are positioned to sit in shadow and be concealed by hair, and fade substantially over six to twelve months.
Age matters less than the degree of tissue descent and your skin elasticity. Patients in their forties with early jowling may suit a mini lift, while patients in their sixties and seventies often get excellent results from a full deep plane lift. General health matters more than the number.
Frequently, yes. The neck often shows ageing at least as clearly as the face, and lifting the face without addressing the neck can leave a visible mismatch. Your surgeon will assess both and advise whether combining is appropriate.
A free consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon: skin quality, tissue descent, volume loss and neck anatomy assessed separately, and the technique chosen from your pattern of descent rather than a fixed preference.