Facelift

Facelift surgery in Turkey

A facelift, medically known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to address visible signs of ageing in the lower face and jawline. It can improve sagging skin, jowls and loss of facial definition by repositioning deeper tissues and removing or redraping excess skin where appropriate.

A well-planned facelift is not about changing the way you look. The aim is to restore definition and create a fresher appearance while preserving the features that make your face recognisably yours.

At EsteTurkey Group in Istanbul, facelift planning begins with an individual assessment of your facial anatomy, skin quality, degree of laxity and expectations. There is no single facelift technique or surgical plan that is right for every patient.

What can a facelift improve?

Facial ageing affects different people in different ways. Some patients are mainly concerned about their jawline, while others notice more significant laxity through the lower face and neck.

A facelift may help improve:

• Sagging in the lower face
• Jowls and reduced jawline definition
• Loose or excess facial skin
• Deepening folds around the lower face
• Changes in facial contour associated with ageing
• Loss of definition between the face and neck

A facelift does not treat every sign of facial ageing. Concerns involving the eyelids, brow, skin texture or volume loss may require a different procedure or an additional treatment. Your consultation is used to determine what is actually appropriate rather than automatically combining procedures.

Who is a good candidate for a facelift?

There is no single “right age” for facelift surgery. What matters more is the degree of facial ageing, skin and tissue quality, general health and what you would like to improve.

You may be a suitable candidate if you have noticeable sagging or jowls, have lost definition along the jawline, or feel that the lower face no longer reflects how you would like to look.

You should also be in suitable general health for surgery and have realistic expectations about both the result and recovery.Smoking and nicotine use can significantly affect wound healing and increase surgical risks. Your medical history, medications, previous procedures and smoking or vaping history therefore need to be discussed honestly during your assessment.

Facelift vs neck lift: what is the difference?

A facelift and a neck lift address different, although closely connected, areas.

A facelift primarily addresses ageing of the lower face and jawline, including jowls and facial laxity. A neck lift focuses more specifically on loose skin, tissue and contour beneath the jaw and through the neck.

For some patients, treating the lower face without addressing significant neck laxity can leave an imbalance between the two areas. For this reason, facelift and neck lift surgery may sometimes be recommended together.

This does not mean every facelift patient needs a neck lift. The appropriate approach depends on your anatomy and the areas causing concern.

How is facelift surgery performed?

Facelift surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.

The exact surgical technique and incision pattern depend on the patient's anatomy and treatment plan. Incisions are generally positioned around the natural contours of the ear and hairline so that scars can become less noticeable as healing progresses.

During surgery, the surgeon works with the deeper facial tissues rather than relying on skin tightening alone. Excess skin can then be carefully redraped and removed without creating unnecessary tension.

The extent of surgery varies between patients, particularly when a neck lift or another facial procedure forms part of the treatment plan.

Facelift recovery: what should you expect?

Swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are normal during the early stages of facelift recovery. These are usually most noticeable during the first days and gradually improve.

Many patients feel increasingly comfortable being seen socially after the first few weeks, although the exact timeline varies from person to person. Residual swelling can continue to settle over the following weeks and months, and scars continue to mature over time.

Recovery is not only about how you look. Your body is still healing even when you begin to feel better, so activity restrictions and postoperative instructions remain important.

Your surgeon and medical team will provide instructions based on your operation and monitor your early recovery before you travel home.

Your facelift journey in Istanbul

International patients are supported throughout their treatment and early recovery in Istanbul.

Your journey begins with an in-person consultation and pre-operative tests after arrival. Surgery is normally scheduled for the following day.

After surgery, you will remain in hospital according to your surgical plan before continuing your recovery at your hotel.

During the hotel recovery period, our nursing team visits you daily to check your progress and assist with postoperative care. You will also have scheduled follow-up assessments before you are cleared to return home.

For facelift patients, we generally recommend planning approximately 8 nights in Istanbul, although your individual stay may vary depending on your procedure and recovery.

Our team remains your point of contact throughout the process, from your initial assessment through your recovery and follow-up after returning home.

Facelift before and after

Every face ages differently, which is why facelift results should be assessed individually.

Our before-and-after cases show real patient outcomes at different stages of recovery. Early photographs may still show swelling, while later photographs provide a better indication of how facial contours and scars continue to settle over time.

Will my facelift look natural?

A successful facelift should not make you look like a different person.

The aim is to improve areas affected by ageing while maintaining your natural facial characteristics. Excessive skin tension can contribute to an unnatural appearance, which is why modern facelift planning considers the deeper tissues and overall facial balance rather than simply pulling the skin tighter.

During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss what can realistically be achieved with your anatomy.

Where are facelift scars?

Facelift incisions are generally designed to follow natural contours around the ear and hairline. Their exact location and length depend on the surgical technique and extent of treatment.

Scars are initially more visible and normally change gradually as healing progresses. Scar maturation takes time and can continue for many months.

Individual healing varies, so no surgeon can guarantee that a scar will become completely invisible.

How long do facelift results last?

A facelift can create long-lasting changes, but it does not stop the natural ageing process.

The longevity of a result varies according to factors such as skin quality, facial anatomy, age, lifestyle and the extent of surgery performed. Your face will continue to age naturally after surgery, but the structural improvement achieved through the procedure remains part of that ageing process.

Rather than promising a specific number of years, your surgeon can give you a more individual expectation after assessing your face.

How much does a facelift cost in Turkey?

The cost of facelift surgery in Turkey varies because not every patient requires the same operation.

The extent of facial ageing, surgical technique, whether the neck also needs to be treated and whether additional procedures are appropriate can all affect the treatment plan and price.

For this reason, EsteTurkey Group provides an individual quotation after your photographs and medical information have been reviewed.

Your quotation clearly sets out the planned procedure and what is included, so you can understand the full treatment plan before deciding whether to proceed.

What is included in your treatment plan?

Our international patient packages are designed to cover both surgery and the practical aspects of your stay in Istanbul.

Your package typically includes:

• Your planned surgery
• Hospital stay
• Pre-operative tests
• Hotel accommodation
• VIP airport, hospital and hotel transfers
• Postoperative medications
• Required surgical garments or dressings
• Daily nurse visits during hotel recovery
• Scheduled postoperative follow-ups
• English-speaking patient coordination
• Continued communication with our team after you return home

Flights are not included.

Your exact inclusions and recommended length of stay will be confirmed in your individual treatment plan.

Start with an individual facelift assessment

The first step is not choosing a package or deciding which facelift technique you need.

It is understanding what is actually causing the changes you see in your face.

Send us your photographs and medical information for an initial assessment. Our medical team will review your case and advise whether facelift surgery — or a different approach — is appropriate for you.