Facelift

A facelift typically lasts 8 to 15 years depending on the technique used, your genetics, lifestyle and skincare routine. A deep plane facelift generally provides the longest-lasting results. After a facelift, you will always look younger than you would have without surgery — the clock is set back, but ageing continues naturally.

There is no single "best" age. Most facelift patients are between 45 and 70. Patients in their late 30s to early 40s with early jowling may benefit from a mini facelift, while patients in their 60s and 70s often achieve excellent results with a full SMAS or deep plane technique. The best age for you is when the signs of ageing bother you enough to consider surgery.

Most patients describe the discomfort after a facelift as a 3 to 4 out of 10 — more tightness and pressure than sharp pain. Prescribed painkillers keep you comfortable during the first few days. By week two, most patients no longer need any pain medication.

At MedProper Istanbul, facelift prices in 2026 start from £2,200 for a mini facelift, £3,113 for a full SMAS facelift and £4,200 for a deep plane facelift. All prices are all-inclusive, covering surgery, hospital stay, hotel accommodation, transfers and aftercare.

In the USA, a SMAS facelift ranges from $10,000 to $18,000 and a deep plane facelift from $15,000 to $25,000 at a private practice. At MedProper, the same procedures cost from $3,970 and $5,356 respectively — all-inclusive. Even after adding flights ($500-$800 return from New York or Chicago), the total is roughly one-quarter to one-third of the US price.

UK facelift prices range from £7,500 to £14,000 for a SMAS facelift and £12,000 to £20,000 for a deep plane facelift. US prices are even higher: $10,000 to $18,000 and $15,000 to $25,000 respectively. At MedProper, the equivalent procedures cost 60 to 83 percent less, even after factoring in flights and personal expenses.

A SMAS facelift lifts the SMAS layer separately from the skin, tightening it with sutures. A deep plane facelift releases the retaining ligaments and lifts the SMAS, fat and skin together as a single unit. The deep plane approach provides a more significant lift of the mid-face and nasolabial folds and typically produces longer-lasting, more natural results.

Facelift incisions are placed within the hairline and along the natural creases in front of and behind the ear. Once fully healed (6 to 12 months), the scars mature into fine white lines that are very difficult to detect, even at close range. Your hairstyle will easily conceal any scarring.

Yes. The most popular combinations at MedProper are facelift with neck lift, facelift with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and facelift with facial fat transfer. Combining procedures in a single session reduces total cost, minimises overall downtime and produces a more harmonious result.

We recommend a 10-day stay. This allows time for your pre-operative consultation and tests (day 2), surgery (day 3), hospital stay (day 3-4), recovery at the hotel with daily check-ups (days 5-7), suture removal (day 8), final check-up (day 9) and departure (day 10).

Most patients are cleared to fly 7 to 10 days after surgery. We recommend wearing your compression chin strap during the flight, staying hydrated and walking regularly in the cabin.

Most patients return to desk-based work 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. If your job involves physical activity or face-to-face client interactions, you may prefer to take 3 to 4 weeks off. Residual swelling at the 2-week mark is subtle and easily concealed with light makeup.

Light walking is encouraged from day 4 onwards. You can resume moderate exercise (gym, yoga, cycling) at 4 to 6 weeks. Contact sports and heavy weight lifting should wait until 8 weeks post-surgery.

Absolutely. Smoking constricts blood vessels, dramatically reducing blood flow to the skin flap. This increases the risk of wound healing complications, skin necrosis and poor scarring. We require all facelift patients to stop smoking at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery. This includes vaping and nicotine patches.

A full SMAS or deep plane facelift is performed under general anaesthesia. A mini facelift may be performed under local anaesthesia with intravenous sedation (twilight sedation). Your surgeon and anaesthetist will recommend the safest option based on the scope of your procedure and your medical history.

The choice depends on the degree of ageing. If you have early jowling and mild skin laxity but no significant neck issues, a mini facelift may be sufficient. If you have pronounced jowls, deep nasolabial folds, mid-face descent or neck laxity, a full SMAS or deep plane facelift will produce a far superior result. Your surgeon will guide you during the consultation.

No. Modern facelift techniques reposition deep tissue structures without affecting the muscles of facial expression. You will smile, frown and laugh exactly as you do now. The only difference is a more youthful contour. The "frozen" look sometimes associated with facelifts is a result of outdated skin-only techniques that applied excessive tension — a method no longer used at MedProper.

Yes. Male facelifts account for approximately 10 to 15 percent of our facelift patients. The technique is slightly modified to account for thicker male skin, a different hairline pattern and the presence of facial hair. Incisions are placed to avoid disrupting sideburns and beard growth. Recovery is similar, though men tend to experience slightly more bruising due to greater skin vascularity.

Patient satisfaction is our highest priority. If you have concerns about your result, your first step is to contact your surgeon via WhatsApp. Many perceived issues during early recovery (swelling, asymmetry, tightness) resolve naturally over 3 to 6 months. If a genuine surgical concern exists, our 12-month aftercare guarantee covers corrective treatment at no additional surgical cost.

Istanbul is one of the safest major cities in Europe for tourists. Turkey is the fourth-largest medical tourism destination in the world, welcoming over 1.2 million international patients annually. MedProper is located in a modern district of Istanbul with excellent infrastructure, and our patient coordination team manages every aspect of your visit, from airport collection to daily transfers.

MedProper operates within a JCI-accredited hospital. Joint Commission International accreditation is the highest global standard for healthcare quality and patient safety. Our surgeons are members of ISAPS and the Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.

Yes. Every all-inclusive package includes VIP private car transfers from Istanbul Airport (IST) to your hotel and return, as well as all clinic-to-hotel transfers during your stay. We also include 5 nights of 4 or 5-star hotel accommodation with breakfast.

Absolutely. During your free video consultation, your surgeon will show you before-and-after photographs of previous patients with similar facial anatomy and ageing patterns. We also share photos via WhatsApp or email upon request. All images are of real MedProper patients who have given written consent.

Look for board certification in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (not general surgery), membership in ISAPS, at least 10 years of facial surgery experience, and a portfolio of before-and-after deep plane facelift results specifically. At MedProper, deep plane facelifts are performed exclusively by our senior facial plastic surgeons who have advanced training in sub-SMAS dissection, ligament release and composite flap elevation. We are happy to share your surgeon's credentials, publication history and patient results during the consultation.

Yes, but not a facelift alone. Turkey neck requires a combined facelift + neck lift (platysmaplasty) to address the loose neck skin, platysmal bands and submental fat. At MedProper, the combined procedure starts from £3,900 / $4,974 / €4,563 all-inclusive. This is the most popular facelift combination we perform.

Booking is straightforward. Contact us via WhatsApp, email or the enquiry form on our website to arrange a free video consultation with your surgeon. During this call, your surgeon will assess your facial anatomy, recommend the most appropriate technique and provide a personalised quote. If you decide to proceed, your patient coordinator will arrange your travel dates, hotel and surgical schedule.

In the 2 weeks before surgery, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, fish oil supplements and any medications that thin the blood (your surgeon will provide a full list). Stop smoking and alcohol at least 4 weeks before. Arrive in Istanbul well rested, hydrated and in good general health.

Yes. The techniques used at MedProper — SMAS plication, SMAS elevation and deep plane dissection — all focus on repositioning deep structures rather than pulling skin tight. The result is a refreshed, rested appearance that preserves your unique facial features and expressions. Friends and family typically comment that you "look well" rather than that you "have had work done."

Your hotel is located near the clinic for easy daily visits. The room will be comfortable and quiet, allowing you to rest, watch television, read and take gentle walks. Room service is available. Your coordinator checks on you daily and arranges all clinic transport. Most patients find the hotel recovery period relaxing and stress-free, as all logistics are handled for them.