What is a facelift?
Dr. Antolín explains what the facelift is in Valencia that he performs in his clinics to address facial laxity.
As we age, creases, wrinkles and lines appear in different facial areas, such as around the mouth and nose, known as labial commissures and nasolabial folds, around the eyes, where the well-known “crow’s feet” appear, as well as between the eyebrows and in the neck region, where the double chin forms.
The skin gradually loses its elasticity and firmness over time, and the facelift procedure aims to rectify these changes through surgical intervention.
Thus, it consists of the stretching and repositioning of the skin and other tissues of the face that over the years, prolonged sun exposure and so on have descended and lost elasticity.
This improves the contour of the face and neck, eliminating some wrinkles and providing an overall rejuvenated appearance.
Each case may vary because it depends on the placement and extent of the incisions; the areas of the face to be improved; the use or not of complementary techniques (facial plastic surgery of eyelids, chin augmentation, cheekbones, and so on) and the duration of the intervention.
Rhytidectomy, facelift or face and neck lift can be performed under local anaesthesia and sedation or general anaesthesia. Your stay in the clinic will depend on the type of anaesthesia and the extent of the facelift.
A considerable amount of information must be conveyed by the patient and correctly interpreted by the surgeon in order to establish the most optimal surgical plan and make the most appropriate decisions. The patient must be thoroughly assessed by the surgeon and listened to with genuine interest and attention. A comprehensive examination is essential to understand the problem precisely, as well as to understand the patient’s desires and motivations for change. This is the only way to reach an adequate diagnosis and therapeutic plan, as well as appropriate counselling in which the patient understands the objectives of the facelift, as well as the realistic expectations of the goals that can be achieved. It is also essential that the patient receives excellent care, is well informed, is operated on with skill, and of course, most importantly, that the patient feels genuinely delighted.
Who are the best candidates for facelift?
In general, the best candidates for facelift cosmetic surgery include:
- Healthy people who do not have medical conditions that prevent or hinder the intervention, postoperative period and recovery.
- Individuals who are either non-smokers or are willing to stop smoking for a period of several weeks before and after plastic surgery.
- People with a positive outlook and realistic expectations.
What is the initial consultation for a facelift like?
During your initial facelift consultation with Dr. Antolín, come prepared to discuss:
- Your surgical goals and expectations: what you want to achieve with the procedure.
- Medical conditions, drug allergies and previous medical treatments even if they do not seem directly related to facelift cosmetic surgery.
- Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
- Previous plastic surgery procedures.
During this initial visit, Dr. Antolín will also:
- Assess your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors.
- Explain the surgical options to achieve your goals and expectations.
- Examine and measure your face.
- Take photographs.
- Recommend treatment.
- Discuss the likely results of a facelift and any risks or possible complications.
- Discuss the type of anaesthesia to be used.
During the initial consultation and subsequent visits prior to surgery, you will have the opportunity to address all doubts and ask Dr. Antolín what you wish to know.
To help you, we have prepared a list of questions to ask your facelift surgeon that you can bring to your consultation.
It is important to understand all aspects of your facelift surgery.
It is natural to feel nervous about it, whether it is excitement about your anticipated new look or a little pre-operative apprehension.
Do not be shy about discussing your doubts, questions, fears and other feelings related to your current appearance, goals and results of your procedure with Dr. Antolín.
Contact us nowTypes of surgical lifts
If your face is ageing noticeably, it may be time to consider facelift surgery.
There are several types of facelift procedures, such as the mini facelift, mid-facelift and deep face and neck lift.
In our clinic we perform the deep face and neck lift, which achieves the most transformative, youthful and rested appearance.
The deep facelift
The deep facelift aims to reverse severe ageing of the cheeks and neck.
Facial rejuvenation lifts the muscle tissue and skin of the face to correct heavy cheeks, sagging neck and skin laxity.
Long recognised for its ability to produce the most natural and long-lasting facelift results, the deep plane facelift can produce a refined and rejuvenated appearance.
Research has shown that patients look at least five years younger after a deep plane facelift and still look better five and a half years after their surgery than they did before.
This gives the best and longest-lasting result in facelift surgery.
Features of the deep face and neck lift
A facelift procedure includes the following steps:
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Anaesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure.
Options include intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the best option for you.
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The incision
Depending on the desired change, facelift options include a traditional facelift, a facelift with limited incisions, or a neck lift.
A traditional facelift incision often begins at the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends at the bottom of the scalp.
Fat can be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck and the underlying tissue is repositioned. Commonly, the deeper layers of the face and muscles are also lifted.
The facial skin is re-draped over the lifted contours and excess skin is trimmed.
A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further enhance an ageing neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.
**Traditional facelift**
An alternative to the traditional facelift uses shorter incisions at the temples, continuing around the ear.
Mini facelifts are usually reserved for patients with less skin laxity, as the results are less rejuvenating than a full facelift.
**Limited incision**
A neck lift treats sagging jowls, excess loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin.
The neck lift incision often begins in front of the earlobe and wraps behind the ear, ending at the back of the hair behind the ear.
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Closing of incisions
The incisions are closed with sutures that may dissolve or may need to be removed after a few days.
In some cases, adhesives are used to seal the incisions.
Once healed, the incision lines or scars from a neck and facelift are well hidden within the hairline and the natural contours of the face and ear.
The surgery lasts 2–3 hours (depending on the complexity of the case), and after the facial rejuvenation surgery the patient is hospitalised for 24 hours.
After surgery, your entire head will be bandaged.
The bandage may feel tight at first because it is designed to apply even pressure to the face, neck and head to minimise bruising and swelling.
Bandages are usually removed one day after surgery.
The following day, once the patient is in optimal condition and everything has been checked correctly, discharge from hospital occurs for medical follow-up in consultation.
Facelift: postoperative period and recovery
- The visible improvements of a facelift appear once the swelling and bruising disappear.
For the first few days, expect to look worse before you look better. Do not panic, this is normal.
There will be swelling and bruising. As the swelling and bruising subsides, you will begin to see results.
- Once the patient has been discharged, usually the day after surgery, it is recommended that the patient rests at home for several days and follows a progressive return to activity, so that he or she can resume family and work life within 7 days.
- Keep the head elevated for two to three days to minimise swelling and speed recovery.
Do not underestimate the importance of head elevation, as this will reduce your recovery time. Failure to do so may prolong recovery and may create a disturbing facial asymmetry.
- You can shower and shampoo after removing the dressings.
- Patients are monitored during the first month with weekly visits for follow-up, wound care, suture removal and progressive information and guidance.
- You may feel some tightness and numbness in the face and neck. As the swelling subsides, the skin loosens and then stabilises.
Do not be concerned that the facelift did not work. It is normal for the face to look less wrinkled initially after surgery due to swelling.
Numbness may persist for several months and will gradually improve.
- Check your incisions for signs of infection: redness, swelling, tightness, discharge, excessive pain, fever, and so on.
Deep facelift before and after
60-year-old woman who consulted us for facial rejuvenation surgery. We performed a deep face and neck lift and upper lip lift.
Facial rejuvenation through face and neck lifting achieves an elegant, harmonious and rejuvenating result following correction. Given the technique used, the results—in terms of repositioning of deep structures—are expected to be maintained for 6–8 years.
Although the effects of time continue, our patient will age in a slower and more favourable manner.
Results of a facelift
Although most people will have improved noticeably within 10–14 days, the face will take 2 to 3 months to feel “normal” in terms of texture, sensitivity and firmness.
Continuing with daily sun protection and a healthy lifestyle will help extend the results of your facelift.
As inflammation and bruising diminish, the visible improvements of a facelift appear.
Your final result should not only provide a more youthful and rested appearance but also help you feel more confident.
Although good results are expected, there can be no guarantee.
In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another revision surgery or small touch-up may be necessary.
Follow the instructions provided by Dr. Antolín to ensure the success of your surgery.
Schedule an initial consultation to meet with Dr. Antolín and learn more about plastic surgery procedures in Valencia and Alcoy.
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Facelift cost
How much does a facelift procedure cost?
The cost of a facelift is variable and is tailored to each patient’s individual needs and facial structure, as it is a highly personalised procedure based on each person’s unique facial structure and the specific goals they wish to achieve.
It is important to take into account several factors that influence the total cost, such as the surgeon’s fee, anaesthesia-related costs, hospital charges that include the use of surgical facilities, nursing care and possible hospitalisation, as well as the cost of medications and other additional expenses.
Generally speaking, the average cost of a facelift is estimated to be between €5,000 and €10,000.
However, this cost can vary significantly. We will provide you with a personalised quote at the initial free visit. Price variation depends on whether it is a procedure focused on rejuvenating a specific facial region, such as the neck, lower or upper face, or if it includes other complementary procedures, such as blepharoplasty to correct the eyelids.
Frequently asked questions
1. What type of facelift achieves the most natural results?
The deep plane/SMAS facelift is usually the technique that offers the most natural and long-lasting results, as it repositions the deep tissues of the face and neck without tightening the skin alone. This allows rejuvenation of the cheeks, jaw and neck whilst avoiding the stretched face effect.
2. What is the difference between a mini facelift and a full facelift?
The mini facelift is indicated when laxity is mild or moderate, especially in the jaw and lower third. The full facelift treats the cheeks, furrows, jaw line and neck more comprehensively, so it achieves deeper and longer-lasting rejuvenation.
3. Does a facelift also improve the neck?
Yes. In many patients a cervicofacial lift is performed, which simultaneously treats sagging of the face and neck. This redefines the facial oval, improves the jowls and rejuvenates the transition between jaw and neck.
4. How long do the results of a facelift last?
Results are usually maintained for 8 to 15 years, depending on skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, smoking and technique used. Deep lifting usually offers the longest durability.
5. What are the scars of the face and neck lift like?
The scars are usually hidden around the ear, behind the earlobe and in the hairline. In cervical lifting, small incisions can be added under the chin. Well performed, the result leaves discreet scars that are difficult to perceive.
6. When do I see the final results?
The improvement is visible from the first weeks, but the definitive result is usually seen between 2 and 6 months, when inflammation disappears and tissues settle.
7. What is the ideal age to have a facelift?
There is no fixed age. What is important is the degree of facial and cervical laxity. It is usually performed between the ages of 45 and 70, although some younger patients may benefit from a mini facelift.
8. Can it be combined with blepharoplasty or lipofilling?
Yes, it is very common to combine a facelift with blepharoplasty, facial lipofilling or cervical lifting, seeking comprehensive and harmonious rejuvenation of the face.
9. How much does a facelift cost?
The cost depends on the type of lifting, anaesthesia, surgical time and whether it is combined with other techniques. With deep lifting, the cost usually ranges from approximately €6,000 to €16,000.
10. Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
Patients with facial or cervical sagging, good general health and realistic expectations. It is especially useful when non-surgical treatments no longer correct sagging.
11. What is the postoperative period for a facelift?
Initial recovery is usually 10 to 15 days, with progressively less swelling and tightness. Return to social activities is usually relatively quick.
12. Is deep lifting better than facial fillers?
When the main problem is laxity and tissue sagging, yes. Deep lifting corrects the structural cause, whilst fillers provide volume but do not reposition tissues.
Dr. Antolín facelift: The art of rejuvenation without losing your essence
We know that taking the step towards a facelift generates some apprehension. My patients’ main concern is not to look younger, but to not stop being themselves.
My work philosophy is far from artificial or “frozen” faces; my goal is to return the structures to their original position, softening the signs of the passage of time and recovering the definition of the facial oval and neck.
By choosing us, you are not only opting for an advanced surgical technique, but also for genuine support. In the consultation, we will analyse the quality of your skin, your bone structure and your realistic expectations to design a customised plan. Because the success of a facelift is not only seen in a look that has changed, but in an expression that has regained its vitality and freshness.
It is time for the mirror to reflect how you feel inside: with energy, harmony and, above all, with the confidence of being in expert hands.
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