01Facelift: why and how
From your thirties onward, the tissues begin to sag and the skin loses elasticity: bone and muscle mass decrease, the cheekbones drop, jowls appear, the facial contour hollows out and the nasolabial folds and marionette lines deepen, especially after 50.
A facelift repositions the skin, fat and muscle tissue that have dropped with age. Contrary to popular belief, it does not “pull” the skin: it puts the structures back in their original position and restores definition to hollowed areas, for a rested, natural-looking face.
02The cervicofacial facelift: indications and treated areas
The cervicofacial facelift — the lift of the lower face and neck — is generally performed from the age of 40, often as a follow-up to injectables for a far crisper result. It works on the deep structures (the SMAS, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system), which guarantees a natural, long-lasting result, and corrects:
- sagging cheeks;
- excess skin and fat along the jaw (jowls);
- marionette lines at the corners of the mouth;
- loose skin on the neck (the “turkey neck”);
- and, if needed, the associated areas: forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, cheekbones and under-eye hollows.
Modern techniques (SMAS facelift, deep plane) treat the deep plane rather than the skin alone: this is what distinguishes a natural, long-lasting result from an old “pulled” facelift.
03The mini facelift: a gentler alternative
The mini facelift is a less invasive technique, indicated for early or moderate laxity of the lower face and neck (cheeks, jowls, facial contour). Its advantages:
- a natural-looking result, with no pulled features: the muscles and aponeuroses are re-tensioned on the diagonal, without pulling the skin;
- finer scars than a conventional facelift;
- a quick recovery (one week at most).
04Before / after results
05How the procedure works
Before the procedure
- a pre-operative consultation to define your goals and desired result together;
- a pre-operative work-up (cardiovascular exam, coagulation tests);
- personalised instructions, including stopping smoking 1 month before and after;
- an appointment with the anaesthetist no later than 48 hrs before the procedure.
During the procedure
A facelift takes 1 hr 30 to 3 hrs depending on the correction, as a day-case procedure (sometimes with one overnight stay). The surgeon makes discreet incisions — most often around the ear and within the hairline — then lifts the skin to remove the excess.
The skin and muscle tissue (the SMAS) is then re-tensioned, from the temple back behind the ear and the nape, before suturing and applying a wrap-around dressing. It is this work on the deep plane that ensures a natural result.
After the procedure
Recovery is moderate: swelling and bruising fade within about ten days, and the dressing is removed the very next day. A loss of sensation or a feeling of tightness may be felt in the first few weeks. One week off work is advised, with limited exertion for the first 10 days and sport resumed after roughly 3 weeks.
The face “goes down” noticeably from 2 days; the final result is seen at around 2 months, once healing is well advanced — a rejuvenation of about ten years, and a long-lasting one.
06Prices & fees in Paris
| Procedure | Aesthetic fees |
|---|---|
| Facial contour – facelift | 7 500 – 9 500 € |
| Facial contour – facelift + 4 eyelids | 10 000 – 12 500 € |
| Facial contour – facelift + eyelids + facial fat transfer | 14 000 – 18 000 € |
Indicative “from” prices, surgeon fees included. The final quote is given at the consultation, after examination, depending on the area treated and the technique chosen. Part of the procedure may be covered by French national health insurance when the medical criteria are met.
07Your questions
Who is a facelift for?+
For anyone — woman or man — noticing sagging skin and drooping facial tissue. It is generally performed from the age of 40 for early sagging (mini facelift) and from 50 for a full facelift.
What is the price of a facelift in Paris?+
It depends on the extent to be treated and any associated procedures (blepharoplasty, fat transfer, chemical peel, etc.): generally from €7,500 to €12,500 and more for a very extensive procedure. See the full breakdown in the pricing grid and insurance coverage.
Is a facelift covered by health insurance?+
No: as a purely cosmetic procedure, a facelift is not covered by French health insurance.
Are there any risks of complications?+
They are very minimal. Rare cases report infection, haematoma, delayed healing or nerve injury — facial paralysis, which is exceptional, is only ever temporary.
Is a facelift painful?+
No: it may cause a passing feeling of tightness, but it is generally painless.
How long does it take for the face to go down after a facelift?+
The swelling drops sharply from 2 days and disappears completely within about ten days at most.
From what age can you have a facelift?+
There is no strict minimum age, but a facelift is rarely useful before 40: at that point the laxity is still mild and injectables, radiofrequency or laser are preferred.
Should you choose a facelift or injectables?+
They are two different approaches. A facelift is particularly indicated for the lower face, an area that is hard to treat with injectables, and gives a more complete and far longer-lasting result. Injectables remain ideal earlier on or as a complement.
Does a facelift give a “frozen” look?+
No: current techniques (working on the SMAS) do not “pull” the skin. They preserve the natural look of the face and simply restore the way it looked around ten years earlier.
How long does the result last?+
The result lasts around ten years and can be repeated 2 to 3 times. Ageing then resumes its course, but from a fresh, rejuvenated starting point.
How do you choose between a facelift and a mini facelift?+
It is the surgeon who guides you after a clinical examination: it is mainly the degree of skin laxity that determines the choice between a mini facelift and a full cervicofacial facelift.
Will I be left with visible scars after a cervicofacial facelift?+
No: the scars are very discreet, hidden in the creases, in front of the ear and within the hairline.
