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Facelift in London – for Natural, Youthful Results

Dr Julian De Silva #1 Specialist Facelift & Neck Surgeon

   Over 1000 5-Star Patient Experiences

   Author of The Facelift Book

FACELIFT SURGERY IN HARLEY STREET

What is Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is a highly effective procedure designed to combat sagging skin, wrinkles, and other visible signs of ageing in the face and neck. Dr De Silva specialises in personalising facelifts to suit each patient’s individual anatomy, ensuring a natural and balanced result.

As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive training and a deep knowledge of facial anatomy, Dr De Silva remains at the forefront of his field by incorporating the latest surgical advancements. His approach to facelift surgery is both artistic and precise, enhancing your natural beauty while preserving facial harmony.

Dr De Silva is an expert in the Vertical Deep Plane facelift technique, renowned for lifting and repositioning the deeper facial tissues, providing a more natural and longer-lasting rejuvenation. By combining this advanced technique with meticulous skin closure methods, he achieves more natural results with reduced recovery time.

Facelift Surgery Can Treat…

As you age a combination of gravity, skin laxity and some volume loss occurs. This results in loose skin around the jawline and neck, bands and a more tired appearance.  The natural elasticity of our skin diminishes. This results in fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, and a tired, aged appearance. A rhytidectomy offers a permanent solution for many common facial concerns.

Deep Nasolabial lines

A facelift can effectively treat deep nasolabial lines by lifting and repositioning the underlying facial tissues, smoothing these folds, and restoring a more youthful, natural contour to the face.

Jowls

By tightening and lifting the skin and deeper facial tissues,  a facelift reduces sagging along the jawline, creating a more defined, youthful facial contour.

Excess skin

A facelift addresses excess skin by excising redundant tissue and tightening the underlying facial structures. This procedure improves skin laxity, enhances facial definition, and reduces sagging, particularly in the lower face and neck.

Marionette lines

Dr De Silva treats marionette lines by lifting and repositioning the deeper facial tissues, which helps smooth the vertical creases extending from the mouth to the chin, restoring a more youthful facial appearance.

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World Class Facial Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery

Interested in a Facelift in London? Discover Our Patient Results

Dr De Silva avoids a “one-size-fits-all” approach, focusing instead on subtle enhancements that bring out your best features while addressing areas of concern. Discover our real-life patient transformations.

Specialist in Natural Facelift & Neck Lift Surgery in London

As Featured in Logos for Harley Street Clinic - Dr Julian De Silva

Why Choose Dr. De Silva for a Harley Street Facelift?

Finding the most reputable facelift expert is never easy. Therefore, you should always research the best surgeons in your area and ask plenty of questions. Dr De Silva is a double-board certified facial cosmetic and plastic surgeon, author and global educator, with a track record of doing procedures for top celebrities. He is based at world-renowned Harley Street in Central London and specialises in four main procedures: Facelift and Neck lifts, Blepharoplasty, and Rhinoplasty. By specialising in only the face, you can rest assured knowing that you’re getting premier results.

  • Over 1000 5* reviews
  • Author of the Facelift Book
  • International teacher of facelift & neck lift surgery at ASOPRS/ AAO

What Sets Dr De Silva Apart

Dr De Silva is a double board certified in the UK and USA and has spent time working in some of the very best Cosmetic centres in the World before setting up his practice over 10 years ago. His extensive knowledge of cosmetic surgery places him among an elite group of facial plastic surgeons, not just on Harley Street and Central London, but in the world. In addition to working as a facial plastic surgeon, he has also spent 8 years teaching fellow plastic surgeons in the USA.

 “I have always been a passionate teacher and as director of the course I am committed to inspiring the next generation of surgeons.”

World-Class Facelift Surgeon

UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute in Los Angeles and Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

State-of-the-Art Technology

Dr De Silva uses specialised state-of-the-art technology to improve the natural results or enhance the recovery or longevity of the procedure. These include a US-manufactured CO2 laser or monopolar electrocautery, to establish meticulous control of bleeding which is key to preventing both bruising and preserving good vision after surgery.

Discrete Scars

Key to world-class facelift is discrete and virtually invisible scars. There are many important factors to consider including, natural skin position, asymmetry, ethnicity, skin laxity, skin quality and other diagnoses. The skin incision is closed using a combination of interrupted and continuous non-dissolving fine stitches. Non-dissolving stitches are preferred as they avoid scarring and stitch lines. Dissolvable sutures although save time for surgeons as they don’t need to be removed, can create additional scarring.

Faster Healing Technology

Dr De Silva has pioneered the use of  Faster healing technology. Hyperbaric oxygen is the elixir for healing and is used in combination with regenerative medicine to enhance recovery after surgery. This innovation is preferred by his patients, as it enables natural growth factors to aid healing, improve the speed of recovery and reduce bruising. 

Advanced Sedation Anaesthesia

Dr De Silva has pioneered and patented our Advanced Sedation Anaesthesia. This means patients can avoid the risks, complications and longer recovery associated with general anaesthesia. All of Dr De Silva’s patients recover from sedation quickly after procedures within 30-60 minutes!

Only the Face

By focusing entirely on only facelift & facial cosmetic surgery procedures, Dr De Silva is able to provide the expertise that can only come with specialisation: facelift and neck lift, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty and chin implants.

Natural Looking Results

Dr De Silva is a believer in the importance of artistry behind cosmetic results and focuses his skills at delivering natural looking results.

Fast Recovery

Dr De Silva has pioneered the advances in technology to speed up recovery with a combination regenerative medicine techniques, Oxygen and LED Therapy.

World Class Expertise

Dr De Silva also teaches other surgeons internationally and has contributed to the development of advanced surgical techniques, laser technology and stitch-less tissue adhesives.

Types of Facelift Offered by Dr De Silva

While non-surgical treatments offer temporary improvements, a facelift provides a more durable solution to ageing signs, with results that can last for many years. There are a number of different types of facelifts available. As part of your consultation, Dr De Silva will thoroughly assess your skin and facial characteristics, and discuss your cosmetic goals with you, as well as the reasons for wanting to see an improvement in your looks.

Primary Facelift

For many years, the conventional facelift has been a staple for those who want to look younger. The procedure generally starts with an incision near the temples, going down and encircling the ear, and culminating at the lower scalp.

During the aesthetic procedure, the surgeon carefully adjusts the facial skin. They then address and enhance the underlying structures. The excess skin is then removed, and the remaining skin is neatly arranged for a rejuvenated appearance.

Signature Vertical Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane facelift is the most advanced technique, providing natural results by repositioning the facial layers to restore volume and address sagging. While this is one of Dr De Silva’s surgical specialities, this type of facelift is performed by less than 5% of facial plastic surgeons due to its complexity and the requirements for deep anatomical expertise.

SMAS Facelift

An SMAS facelift addresses the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) – the thin layer of fibres that covers the face and the neck. This procedure lifts towards the ears and adjusts sagging cheeks and jowls by excising both skin and facial tissue to produce a naturally ‘lifted’ look. In some cases, fat deposits can be removed for further definition.

Revision Facelift

20-30% of the patients Dr De Silva treats have previously had facelift or neck lift surgery elsewhere and were unsatisfied with the results from their previous surgeon. There can be many reasons for this, inadequate improvement, recurrence, loose skin and puffiness, short longevity and visible scars.

A Skin-Only Facelift

This procedure involves only lifting the skin, rather than the skin and tissue underneath. A more traditional technique is used when only some skin needs to be excised without disturbing any underlying muscles. A skin-only rhytidectomy is generally performed on younger patients who have not had any advanced ageing set in.

S-Lift, MACS Lift

The S-Lift is named after the ‘S’ shape of its incision. Both the S-Lift and MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) lift are known for their shorter incisions. They are also quicker to perform, with less downtime. These procedures focus on the middle and lower third of the face to erase jowls, wrinkles, and other sagging skin.

One Stitch Facelift

The one-stitch facelift draws inspiration from old Hollywood, where celebrities use tape to pull their skin on the upper face upward. It targets the sideburn area where the skin is pulled and anchored using the patient’s own skin tissues.

Mini Facelift

The mini facelift is similar to the s-lift in that smaller incisions are used. In this case, only the SMAS muscle is altered, for a lift that provides a refreshed look but less dramatic results than more traditional or invasive surgery. This procedure is suitable for those with early facial ageing.

​Endoscopic or Ponytail Facelift

Keyhole surgery in which a telescope is used to evaluate the soft tissues and muscle layer that underlies the skin, enabling smaller incisions to be used and hidden scars within the hair. This is generally suitable for younger patients with minimal loose skin.

Male Facelift

Dr Julian De Silva’s male facelift restores a strong jawline, tightens sagging skin, and preserves masculine features, using tailored techniques that avoid feminization while ensuring discreet scars and natural results.

TESTIMONIAL

What our patients say about us…

Verified Google Review

*****

 

“Best of the Best! – I went to see Dr Julian De Silva for a deep plane facelift, upper and lower bleph and eyebrow lift for Ptosis. I had originally seen Dr Julian De Silva for a consultation back in 2017 and had followed his work for years, so I was familiar with his style of surgery and artistry. I had studied his work of the ‘Golden Ratio’ and even bought his book years ago.

When I turned 40, I started noticing my jowls getting really bad , loose skin over my eyelids to the extent that I could no longer wear eyeshadow any longer, as it just creased every time I tried to wear it. At my first consultation, Dr Julian and his team immediately made me feel at ease. His wonderful team – Sarah, Mags, Mackez, Adam and the lovely nurses Alice, Josie and Kelly were all very kind and welcoming. I instantly felt at home.

Dr Julian De Silva’s kind, humble and calm nature made him stand out from the rest of surgeons that I had seen over the years. I didn’t feel rushed, and he listened and understood my concerns. He explained to me about hypermobility, where the skin can stretch at a younger age and this made sense why I was seeing premature signs of ageing such as ptosis and jowls forming. I felt relieved that finally a surgeon understood how I was feeling and didn’t immediately turn me away dismissing me because of my age saying I was too young etc.

I knew that he was the surgeon for me. – I knew of his natural looking results from his previous work with other patients. He is truly an artist and has very fine attention to detail in his work. – Just look at his analysis of Renee Zellweger video on YouTube and you’ll understand what I mean. The morning of the surgery I was very excited and a bit nervous.

I met with Will, the Anesthetist who was very nice and reassuring and put my mind at ease about the local anesthetic and sedation. I was not nervous about what Julian would do to my face as I trusted him and his work but more the fact of the anesthetic and sedation – losing control. I have had anesthetic in the past and been very sick afterwards throwing up numerous times, but Will assured me that this would not happen as they used sedation and local anesthetic instead of General anesthetic. I remember going into the theatre and seeing Julian, Joanna the other doctor who was very reassuring and Will.

Kelly the nurse who was looking after me was also there and I remember they had a big picture of me on a screen, next to another picture of me when I was 29 years old for comparison. The last thing I remember was holding the nurse Kelly’s hand and feeling nervous about the sedation and losing control. She was very kind, holding my hand and reassuring me throughout and I don’t remember anything else! I was asleep throughout the whole surgery and then remembered waking up at the end. I had no sickness and no grogginess at all!

I had regular follow ups at 23 Harley Street and was very well taken care of by Dr Julian De Silva and his team. I was offered complimentary red light therapy and oxygen therapy which helped the swelling and bruising and was relaxing at the same time. It is just over 3 months now since I had the operation and I am delighted with the results! It looks so natural and fresh. I still look like me but a fresher younger version of me that no longer looks tired.

My jowls have completely gone and I have my v shape jawline back. Dr Julian told me that the skin had dropped 2.5 centimeters and that is how much he had to lift it up again, which is a lot for someone my age and testament to the hyper mobility. I can now wear eyeshadow without it creasing and my eyebrows are back to where they were pre ptosis!

My experience with Dr Julian De Silva and his team was second to none – No other surgeon could have a better job. What I like about Dr Julian De Silva is his humbleness and integrity. He is a true artist – He will look at the symmetry of your face and treat it like a work of art – this goes beyond just surgery, this is artistry. From my results, especially around my eyes I can see how intricate and finely done with attention to detail he has done everything which makes for such natural results.

The whole experience from the first consultation right through to the 3 month mark with several visits in between has been so enjoyable for me. I truly loved the whole experience of my trips up to 23 Harley Street. He has a wonderful team who make you feel at home and comfortable straight away, they are very accommodating and always on hand with any questions or concerns you may have. It’s a lovely energy there.

I have had consultations with other top surgeons in London and their teams over the last few years but none have been on this level. I’m so pleased and grateful I picked Dr Julian De Silva and his team – I want to go back and get more things done for the joy of the whole experience, which says a lot!!”

In the Press

What To Expect From Your Facelift in London

On the day of your surgery, you will be welcomed into The Centre for Advanced Facial Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery’s state-of-the-art CQC accredited facility and prepared for your procedure. This is what you can expect:

1. Facelift consultation

During your initial consultation, Dr De Silva employs advanced imageing technology to simulate potential outcomes, allowing for a collaborative discussion of your goals. This visual tool helps in setting realistic expectations and refining your personalised treatment. He will discuss your medical history, aesthetic goals and create a personalised procedure plan catered to your desired outcome.

2. Pre-surgery preparation

Prior to your surgery, we will complete everything you need in our specialised clinic.

  1. Safety first approach, we always complete safety checks prior to surgery
  2. Advice on what will give the fastest recovery
  3. Detailed information on what you can do to get the best healing and recovery time
  4. 24-7 Support & care during healing and recovery

You will be advised on which exact actions you must take before your surgery to aid in both the surgery itself and your recovery afterwards.

3. Day of Surgery

Dr De Silva will see you before surgery to mark your face. You will then be guided to the operating theatre where he uses a patented Twilight Sedation Anaesthesia, which eliminates the risks and side effects associated with general anaesthesia. Dr De Silva is meticulous and will ensure that he takes the time and care to complete your surgery to allow for invisible scars and minimal downtime. CO2 laser or monopolar electrocautery is used during the procedure to establish meticulous control of bleeding which is key to preventing both bruising and preserving good vision after surgery.

4. Follow-up Appointment

Follow-up appointments with Dr De Silva after a facelift in London are crucial for monitoring your recovery, addressing any concerns, and ensuring optimal healing while achieving the best possible results. Dr De Silva will see you 24 hours after surgery to assess the initial stages of healing and then at various intervals throughout the recovery period.

5. Social Readiness

You can expect to have a period of rest and recovery of approximately one to two weeks and return to social and professional activities after one to three weeks.

Latest Facelift Patient Reviews

In this video, we’ll take you through the patient’s journey, starting from before the surgery, capturing her initial concerns and aspirations for the procedure. Then, witness the stunning results unfold as we reveal her post-op images taken at 10 weeks after the surgery. From addressing concerns about her appearance to regaining confidence and self-assurance, this journey exemplifies the transformative power of personalised cosmetic surgery.

Join us as one of our lovely patients shares her heartfelt journey after undergoing a transformative face & neck lift plus chin implant surgery with Dr. Julian De Silva. In this touching testimonial recorded six weeks post-surgery, she opens up about her long-standing desire for a chin implant and her journey to regain confidence in her appearance.

Join us as we sit down with one of our amazing patients who underwent a deep plane facelift, lower blepharoplasty, and full face laser procedure. In this heartfelt testimonial, she shares her honest thoughts and feelings about her experience before, during, and after the surgery.

Am I a Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

A good candidate for a facelift is facial ageing with symptoms of sagging of the skin and soft tissues of the face, deepening of the nasolabial folds (a line between nose and mouth) and loose skin below the neck with loss of the angle between the chin and neck. The patient should be in good health and a non-smoker with realistic goals of rejuvenating their face.

What to Expect from Facelift Recovery

You may experience bruising, which resolves over one to two weeks, and swelling, of which 80% will diminish within two weeks and continue to disappear. While you will have very little pain, you may experience numbness around the ears and chin, which can take six to 12 months to disappear completely.

It is important to rest and allow your body the time it needs to recover without putting it under extra pressure. You may be provided with a wrap for your face and head that helps with swelling and gently icing the area for ten minutes at a time encourages swelling to dissipate.

Sleeping in a reclined or sitting-up position is recommended for five to seven days after surgery. It is also recommended not to do any heavy lifting or strenuous activities for at least two to three weeks after surgery.

Benefits of a Facelift in London with Dr. De Silva

A facelift can help you look as young and vibrant on the outside as you feel on the inside, turning back the clock by several years. The main benefits of a facelift are:

  • Decreased wrinkles and lines
  • Lifted profile
  • Natural, fresher appearance with a more youthful jawline and neck
  • Tighter skin
  • Natural results that boost confidence

Even the Best Facelifts Come With Risks

While facelift surgery is generally safe, it’s essential to be aware of potential risks and complications. However, with the extensive experience and advanced knowledge of Dr. De Silva, these risks are significantly minimized, ensuring that you’re in expert hands for a safe and successful outcome. Some potential risks include:

  • Anaesthesia Complications: Reactions to anaesthesia can occur, ranging from mild to severe, affecting breathing and heart rate.
  • Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection at the incision sites, which may require further treatment.
  • Scarring: Although efforts are made to minimise scarring, some individuals may experience noticeable scars, which can take time to fade.
  • Haematoma: The accumulation of blood under the skin can lead to swelling and discomfort, potentially requiring drainage.
  • Nerve Damage: Temporary or, in rare cases, permanent nerve damage can occur, resulting in numbness or changes in sensation.

It is essential to discuss these risks thoroughly with Dr De Silva during your consultation to make an informed decision about your facelift surgery.

World Class Facial Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery

Discover Our Harley Street Facelift Results

Combine Your Facelift With Other Facial Enhancements

Recognising that ageing affects more than just the skin, Dr De Silva often recommends complementary procedures such as eyelid surgery or fat transfer to achieve holistic rejuvenation. This comprehensive approach addresses volume loss, skin texture, and tone, ensuring a cohesive and youthful appearance.

Sometimes when the lower face is tightened, the chin can appear too small and out of proportion. Dr De Silva may address this through the addition of chin implants to create a more balanced and symmetrical result.

Integrating a facelift with blepharoplasty rejuvenates the face by addressing sagging skin and wrinkles while also refreshing the eye area, creating a balanced and youthful appearance.

Surgically sculpting the mid-face area may also require Dr De Silva to incorporate buccal fat reshaping into your procedure to minimise the appearance of jowls and turkey neck giving you a youthful facial profile.

Fat Transfer

To further personalize your facial rejuvenation procedure, Dr De Silva may incorporate fat transfer to permanently establish volume in select areas affected by facial ageing for a harmonious and balanced result.

Dr De Silva may suggest incorporating CO2 laser resurfacing before your procedure to remove blemishes, smooth skin and create a radiant appearance that improves the overall results of your facelift procedure.

Is Dr De Silva the right fit for your Facelift in London?

Choosing to undergo facelift surgery is a significant decision, and selecting the right surgeon is crucial. Dr Julian De Silva’s blend of technical excellence, artistic touch, and commitment to patient care makes him a standout choice for those seeking facial rejuvenation. As a father and a Family Man he understands how important our appearance, health and well being is for happiness.

  • Dr De Silva combines state-of-the-art technology with facelift surgery for rapid recovery
  • Discreet, barely there facelift scars
  • Expert in beautification and facial mapping

Book a Consultation at Our Harley Street Practice

If you’re considering facelift surgery, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr Julian De Silva. Discover how his expertise can help you achieve the youthful, natural-looking results you desire.

Patient experiences with Dr De Silva

Facelift Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a facelift last?

A facelift will typically last for between 5-10 years. Different surgical techniques will impact the longevity of the effect. Dr De Silva believes that a patient who is undergoing cosmetic surgery is investing in their appearance and uses a modified deep plane SMAS facelift to give patients a more durable and longer-lasting result. There are patient factors, including genetic makeup and exposure to the elements such as the sun that will influence the duration of a facelift. Dr De Silva advises all his patients on lifestyle changes that maintain the results of their facelift and may suggest referral to one of his specialist colleagues. Patients are frequently attending for 2nd, 3rd and even 4th facelifts. Other areas of the face age differently to the lower face and neck.

What is the cost of a facelift?

Cost is tailored to an individual patient’s needs and is based on whether it is a full facelift, or neck lift and if there are associated procedures to enhance the result. Additional techniques include volume augmentation, skin resurfacing and specialised eyelid contouring techniques. A good long-lasting result that is free of problems is worth its weight, the quality of your care and outcome is most crucial. Lower-cost surgery may result in compromises in the quality of the result and safety. For an accurate assessment of price, a consultation is required. If you decide to have surgery, the consultation fee will be deducted from your surgical fee.

What won't a facelift do?

A facelift restores drooping of the soft tissues of the face and the sagging skin of the neck. A facelift will not treat volume loss, termed deflation, in patients with volume loss, Dr De Silva advises volume replacement with fat augmentation or filler that will enhance the facelift result. A facelift will not rejuvenate the skin, fine lines, dark spots and wrinkles. Dr De Silva will advise a combined facelift and skin-resurfacing technique to enhance the results. Commonly a CO2 laser is used to resurface the skin, in some patients of darker skin tones, it is advisable to use an alternative skin resurfacing technique.

I don't want to have general anaesthesia, is there an alternative?

In the UK, most facelift surgery is completed under general anaesthesia. Dr De Silva does generally use an alternative type of sedation used in conjunction with local anaesthesia. This sedation is also known as “twilight anaesthesia” or MAC (Monitored anaesthesia care). Twilight anaesthesia means that your body is sleepy and relaxed; you are still conscious and able to respond to questions and instructions, unlike general anaesthesia where you are unconscious, and the recovery after surgery is longer. Typically, you won’t remember the procedure or the short period of time following it, though you will feel a little euphoric. The benefits of sedation are that it relieves your anxiety around surgery and the recovery after surgery is faster.

How can I avoid a pulled look from a facelift?

A pulled look from a facelift is the result of an unsatisfactory aesthetic that is an unnatural rejuvenation of the face. A natural rejuvenation is one that restores parts of the face to their original position taking into account both individual facial ageing utilising specialised surgical techniques that respect the natural contours of the face.

For a natural-looking facelift and rejuvenation, Dr De Silva believes there are several facial plastic surgery factors that are of key importance:

  • Elevation of the deeper layers of the face (including the SMAS, superficial musculoaponeurotic system) requires specialised surgical techniques and hours of surgery to complete. Fast techniques that are superficial, principally lift the skin resulting in stretching of the skin and a pulled look.
  • Meticulous attention to detail is required, to ensure that scarring is limited to a fine line and lifting does not alter natural hairlines. With meticulous techniques, these issues can be avoided. Excessive pulling of the skin can result in distortion of the ears and wide scars that are hallmarks of unnatural surgery, with meticulous surgical technique these can be avoided.
  • Browlift procedures were once fashionable to elevate the position of the brow. Many people have a naturally low position of eyebrows even in youth, and brow lifts are less commonly indicated and need to be conservative. Over lifting of the eyebrows results in a surprised and unnatural appearance.
  • Artistry, every surgeon has a different aesthetic, and by looking at a surgeon’s before and after photographs, it will give an indication of this aesthetic.
  • Often natural-looking rejuvenation requires additional treatments to give the best possible result. Common additional procedures include fat transfer, skin resurfacing and blepharoplasty.

 

Do I need to have surgical drains with facelift surgery?

When completing facelift surgery, many surgeons will insert a fine tube into the soft tissues at the end of the surgery (termed a drain) on both the right and left side to continue to drain fluid after the surgery; these are then usually removed between 1 day to 14 days after surgery.

In a small proportion of cases, after surgery, as a consequence of further bleeding, a collection of blood can occur that needs to be removed. Some surgeons believe that the use of a drain may reduce the chance of this complication. However, the drains are often uncomfortable for patients and cause discomfort on removal.

Dr De Silva does not use drains, using meticulous fine stitch technique to avoid the use of drains. There are other interventional techniques that can be used to minimise the risk of bleeding, including the use of fibrin tissue glue and post-surgery medications.

What is the Difference Between a Full facelift and a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift procedure is a technique that benefits a person with relatively early features of facial ageing, including facial sagginess with deep facial lines (termed nasolabial folds) with or without early jowls (softening of the smooth jawline) and some skin laxity in the cheeks and lower face. The key to suitability for a mini-facelift is relatively good skin elasticity and relatively mild changes in the lower third of your face and neck. The advantages of a mini facelift are that it allows for a small incision and a hidden scar with rapid recovery after surgery.

There are circumstances where a mini-facelift procedure is not adequate. If you have substantial skin laxity, marked jowls and droopiness in the neck include vertical bands (platysmal bands). With these features usually from your 50s, a full facelift is required to provide a natural rejuvenation. A full facelift requires a larger incision as more surgery is required to lift and rejuvenate the face. The incision is longer as it needs to extend behind the ear into the hairline principally to treat the increased skin laxity. At the same time, the incisions can be largely hidden in natural creases and contours to avoid visible scars after surgery. The recovery from a full facelift is approximately 2 weeks, although the final result is 6-12 months later.

Key to a natural rejuvenation in both mini-facelift and full-facelift techniques include meticulous attention to detail, lifting beneath the skin including the SMAS and deep soft tissue layers (to avoid a wind-swept appearance) and multi-layered closure (to avoid visible scars). Both techniques are effective at rejuvenating your face depending on your clinical needs, and an assessment is required to determine your individual needs and suitability for this facial surgery. Both techniques may be completed with other facial techniques, including blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), fat transfer (volume rejuvenation), and CO2 laser resurfacing to augment the natural results.

How many hours does a facelift take?

The duration of a facelift procedure can vary depending on the extent of the surgery and additional procedures being performed. Typically:

  • Mini Facelift: Approximately 2 to 3 hours.
  • SMAS Facelift: Approximately 2 to 3 hours.
  • Deep Plane Facelift: Approximately 4 to 5 hours.
  • Vertical Deep Plane Facelift: Approximately 4.5 to 6 hours.
  • Extended Procedures: If combined with other surgeries such as neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery, it can take up to 8 hours or more.
What is the best age to have a facelift?

The best age to have a facelift varies depending on individual factors, but most patients consider it between 45 and 75 years old. However, earlier or later interventions can be appropriate based on specific ageing concerns.

Considerations for Timing:

  • Early Signs of Aging: Some individuals in their late 30s to early 40s opt for a mini facelift to address early signs of ageing. Dr De Silva often finds that younger patients have genetic factors such as hypermobility or early menopause.
  • Moderate to Advanced Aging: Patients in their 50s and 60s often seek full facelifts to address more significant sagging and wrinkles.
  • In good health 70-80s: If in good health there is no age limitation for surgery. It is estimated that 50% of people who are born after 2000, will live to 100!
  • Overall Health: Ensure you are in good overall health to undergo surgery at any age.

Measures to Determine Timing:

  • Detailed Consultation: Have a detailed consultation with your surgeon to assess your skin condition, ageing pattern, and objectives from surgery.
  • Non-Surgical Alternatives: Explore non-surgical treatments if you have minimal ageing signs, delaying the need for surgery.
  • Maintenance Procedures: Regular maintenance treatments, such as fillers or skin resurfacing, can prolong the youthful appearance and potentially delay the need for a facelift.

Contact Details
Call: 020 8748 2860
Email: info@drjuliandesilva.co.uk

Address:
23 Harley Street
London, W1G 9QN, UK

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Dr Julian De Silva
5 stars based on 458 reviews

5 Star Ratings for Dr Julian De Silva

Renowned expert in Facelift/Facial Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery. Signature techniques in Blepharoplasty, Rhinoplasty and Facelift surgery. Expert in revision surgery and in natural looking results

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