Quick answer
What is a facelift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face and neck, then removes excess skin, to reduce sagging, jowls and deep folds. Common techniques in Turkey include the deep plane facelift, SMAS facelift and mini facelift. Results typically last around 10 years, although the face continues to age naturally.
Facelift at a glance
- Procedure time
- 3–6 hours
- Anaesthesia
- General
- Hospital stay
- 1 night
- Time in Istanbul
- 10–12 days
- Back to work
- 2–3 weeks
- Price
- Written quote after review
Facelift in Istanbul: overview
A facelift addresses signs of ageing that skincare, fillers and energy-based devices cannot fully correct: descended cheek fat, jowls along the jawline, deep nasolabial folds and loose neck skin. Modern techniques work on the SMAS, the fibromuscular layer beneath the skin, or release and lift the deeper planes of the face, so the skin is repositioned rather than pulled tight. Through Med World Türkiye, facelift surgery is performed by experienced plastic surgeons at JCI-accredited partner hospitals in Istanbul, after a detailed assessment of your facial anatomy and skin quality.
Many patients combine a facelift with a neck lift, upper or lower blepharoplasty, a brow lift or fat transfer to restore lost volume, creating a more balanced result than treating one area alone. The trip usually lasts 10–12 days: the operation takes 3–6 hours under general anaesthesia, followed by one night in hospital and several check-ups until the stitches are removed around day 7–10. Most people feel comfortable in public after 2–3 weeks. Your surgical plan and price are confirmed after consultation with the plastic surgeon.
Which Facelift techniques are available?
Deep plane facelift
The surgeon releases the retaining ligaments and lifts the SMAS and overlying skin as one unit, repositioning the cheeks, jowls and neck. It suits patients with moderate to advanced sagging who want a natural result and usually costs more than a SMAS or mini facelift.
SMAS facelift
The SMAS layer is tightened by folding or partially removing it before excess skin is trimmed. It is a well-established option for moderate laxity of the lower face and jawline.
Mini facelift
Shorter incisions and more limited lifting target early jowls and mild laxity, and the procedure can sometimes be done under sedation. It suits patients in their 40s or early 50s with good skin elasticity.
Neck lift and combination procedures
A neck lift tightens the platysma muscle and removes excess neck skin or fat, often through a small incision under the chin. It is frequently combined with blepharoplasty, a brow lift or fat transfer for full facial rejuvenation.
Why choose Med World Türkiye for Facelift?
Natural-looking deep tissue lift
Repositioning the SMAS or deep facial planes, rather than only tightening skin, helps avoid a wind-swept or overly pulled appearance.
Face and neck in one recovery
A facelift is commonly combined with a neck lift to address jowls, neck bands and loose skin within a single recovery period.
Long-lasting improvement
Results typically last around 10 years, although the face continues to age naturally from its new starting point.
Itemised written quote
Treatment in Turkey often costs less than private treatment in the UK, mainly because of lower hospital and staffing costs – the written quote shows exactly what you pay.
Who is a good candidate for Facelift?
- Adults, usually aged 40–70, with sagging cheeks, jowls or loose neck skin.
- Non-smokers, or smokers willing to stop at least 4 weeks before surgery and during healing.
- People in good general health with controlled blood pressure and no bleeding disorders.
- Patients who have reached the limits of fillers, threads or energy-based skin treatments.
- Those with realistic expectations who understand that a facelift refreshes the face but does not stop ageing.
What does a Facelift trip to Istanbul look like?
- 1
Day 1 – Arrival & consultation
VIP transfer to your hotel, then a face-to-face consultation, photographs, blood tests and an anaesthetic assessment to confirm the plan.
- 2
Day 2 – Surgery & hospital night
The facelift is performed under general anaesthesia over 3–6 hours, followed by one night in hospital with drains and dressings checked.
- 3
Days 3–9 – Hotel recovery & checks
You rest with your head elevated and attend dressing changes and check-ups while swelling and bruising begin to settle.
- 4
Days 10–12 – Stitch removal & flight home
Stitches are removed around day 7–10, the surgeon reviews healing, and you fly home with a written aftercare plan.
What is recovery like after Facelift?
In the first week, swelling and bruising peak at 48–72 hours, the face feels tight and numb, and you sleep with your head raised while avoiding bending and strenuous activity. Stitches come out around day 7–10. By 2–3 weeks most people are comfortable socialising and returning to office work, with make-up covering any residual bruising. At one month, gentle exercise can usually resume. By 3 months the face looks natural, although subtle swelling and numbness near the ears can persist. Final results settle over 6–12 months as the scars mature and fade.
How much does Facelift cost in Turkey?
The price of a facelift in Istanbul depends mainly on the technique – mini, SMAS or deep plane – whether a neck lift is included, any combined procedures such as blepharoplasty, a brow lift or fat transfer, operating time under general anaesthesia, the length of hospital stay, the surgeon's experience and the partner hospital. With Med World Türkiye, a partner plastic surgeon first reviews your photos and medical history. You then receive a written, itemised quote from the partner hospital before you book anything.
What your written quote itemises
- Surgeon & anaesthesia fees
- Hospital stay
- Pre-operative tests
- Compression garment & medication
- Hotel & VIP transfers
- Interpreter & aftercare follow-up
Med World Türkiye does not publish a price list. Every price comes from a written, itemised quote issued by the partner hospital after a surgeon has reviewed your photos, scans or medical records.
Facelift: frequently asked questions
How much does a facelift cost in Turkey?
The cost of a facelift in Turkey depends on the technique and extent of surgery at the partner hospital in Istanbul. A mini facelift usually costs least, while a deep plane facelift with neck lift costs more. Adding eyelid surgery, a brow lift or fat transfer increases the price. Your initial consultation is free: the plastic surgeon reviews your photos and medical history, and you then receive a written, itemised quote before you book anything.
Is it safe to have a facelift in Istanbul?
A facelift in Istanbul can be safe when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon in an accredited hospital with proper anaesthetic monitoring, which is why we work with JCI-accredited partner hospitals. Risks include haematoma, infection, temporary or rarely permanent facial nerve weakness, visible scarring and asymmetry. Not smoking and controlling blood pressure significantly reduce the risk of complications.
How long should I stay in Istanbul after a facelift?
Plan to stay in Istanbul for 10–12 days for a facelift. This covers the consultation, surgery, one night in hospital, dressing checks and stitch removal around day 7–10, so the surgeon can confirm you are healing well before you fly. Flying home too early can increase swelling and makes it harder to manage any early complications.
How painful is facelift recovery?
Facelift recovery is usually described as uncomfortable rather than very painful, with tightness, swelling and numbness being the main sensations, controlled with prescribed pain relief. Swelling and bruising peak at 48–72 hours. Most people feel ready for social situations and desk work after 2–3 weeks and return to more strenuous exercise after about 4–6 weeks with the surgeon's approval.
How long does a facelift last?
Facelift results typically last around 10 years, although this varies with genetics, skin quality, sun exposure, smoking and weight changes. The face continues to age after surgery, but from a more lifted starting point, so many people still look younger than they otherwise would. The final result itself is visible after 6–12 months, once swelling has fully resolved.
What is the right age for a facelift?
Most facelift patients are between 40 and 70, but the right time depends on how much sagging you have rather than age alone. People in their 40s with early jowls may suit a mini facelift, while those with more advanced neck and jowl laxity often benefit from a deep plane or SMAS facelift. Good general health and not smoking matter more than age.
What is the difference between a deep plane and a SMAS facelift?
A deep plane facelift lifts the skin and SMAS together as one layer after releasing deeper ligaments, while a SMAS facelift tightens the SMAS separately from the skin. Deep plane surgery can give more movement in the mid-face and jowls but is technically more demanding and costs more. Your surgeon recommends a technique based on your anatomy and degree of laxity.
Related procedures
Part of our specialty: Aesthetic, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
This page provides general information and is not medical advice. Whether a procedure is right for you, which technique is used and what results to expect can only be decided after a consultation with a qualified specialist. All surgery carries risks, which your surgeon will explain before you consent.