Face and neck lift: rejuvenate your face and figure

The facelift, the go-to procedure for lasting rejuvenation

A facelift (or rhytidectomy) is still the most effective cosmetic procedure for correcting marked skin sagging. Where surface treatments quickly reach their limits, it works deep down: it repositions the tissues, tightens the skin and redraws clean contours. Demand isn’t slowing down either. According to the ISAPS, procedures on the face and head passed 6.5 million in 2023, up nearly 20% in a year.According to the ISAPS, procedures on the face and head passed 6.5 million in 2023, up nearly 20% in a year.

At Body Expert, your facelift is carried out directly in our Istanbul clinic, by surgeons who specialise in facial rejuvenation, with English-speaking support from your first chat right through to healing follow-up.

Why skin sags with age

Facial ageing isn’t only about the skin. Over the years, several things happen at once, and that’s why creams eventually stop being enough:

• Loss of collagen and elastin, which leaves the skin less firm and less supple.
• Sagging of the deep tissues under the pull of gravity.
• Loss of fat volume, which hollows the features and deepens the folds.
• Muscle slackening around the neck and jawline.

A facelift targets these structural causes precisely. By working on the SMAS (the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system, a fibromuscular sheet that supports the soft tissues of the face), it does more than pull the skin: it re-tensions the deep framework for a natural result that holds over time.

The different types of lift

The word ‘lift’ actually covers several procedures, each targeting a specific area. Here are the main ones, with the detailed guide that goes with each:

• Face lift: it corrects sagging cheeks, jowls and the jawline for an all-round younger look. Read about the face lift in detail.
• Temporal lift: focused on the upper face, it lifts the tail of the eyebrows and opens up the outer eye. See the temporal lift.
• Neck lift: it tightens the skin of the neck, reduces fullness under the chin and corrects the angle between chin and neck, often paired with a face lift. Everything about the neck lift.
• Lip lift: it shortens the philtrum (the space between nose and upper lip) and shows more of the vermillion. See the lip lift.
• Breast lift (mastopexy): it raises and reshapes sagging breasts, with or without implants. Read about the breast lift.
• Thigh lift: it firms the inner or outer thighs, common after major weight loss. See the thigh lift.
• Back lift: it removes excess skin from the back, again often after significant weight loss. Everything about the back lift.

For drooping eyelids, the go-to procedure is still blepharoplasty, often done at the same time as a face lift for a harmonious result. A facelift also combines very well with a rhinoplasty or an otoplasty when the aim is to rebalance the whole face.

The surgical techniques of the face lift

Not all rhytidectomies are the same. The choice of technique depends on your anatomy, how much sagging there is and, above all, the surgeon’s expertise.

The SMAS facelift

This is the reference technique, widely documented. The surgeon tightens the musculo-aponeurotic layer before redraping the skin. Khoury et al. (2025) report a satisfaction rate of around 88% and a lower overall complication rate than the deep plane, which makes it a reliable option for most patients.

The deep plane lift

The deep plane releases the ligaments that hold the face and mobilises a thicker flap, skin and muscle together. Khoury et al. (2025) report satisfaction of around 94%. Which technique lasts longer remains under debate. In return, the dissection is deeper and calls for sharp surgical expertise.

The mini facelift

Less invasive, the mini facelift is for moderate sagging. The incisions are shorter and recovery is quicker, but the effect is more limited over time than a full facelift.

A facelift at home or in Turkey: what to expect

Having your facelift in Turkey mainly changes one thing: the budget. Prices are far more affordable than in the UK, with up to 70% savings depending on the area treated and the technique used.

One thing that reassures a lot of patients: with Body Expert, everything is organised for you: a 5-star hotel, VIP transfers, an English-speaking coordinator and 12-month follow-up, all set out in advance.everything is organised for you: a 5-star hotel, VIP transfers, an English-speaking coordinator and 12-month follow-up, all set out in advance. No nasty surprises, and easy to compare with a quote back home. For an overview of everything on offer, see our cosmetic surgery in Turkey page.

Recovery and the timeline of results

Patience is part of the treatment. Recovery follows fairly predictable stages:

• In the first week, the focus is on rest and managing swelling and bruising.
• During the first month, the swelling eases noticeably and you gradually get back to your activities.
• Between three and six months, the tissues settle and the contours refine.
• After a year, the final result is there and the scars have faded.

Nerve effects stay rare and are usually temporary: they generally settle on their own. Done well, the results of a facelift hold for 7 to 10 years, without freezing the natural ageing process.

Making your results last

A good facelift is helped along by a healthy lifestyle. A few simple habits really do make a difference:

• Hydrate and nourish the skin every day, alongside anti-ageing serums.
• Apply a high sun protection daily: UV is still the main accelerator of skin ageing.
• Look after your lifestyle: a diet rich in antioxidants, enough hydration, regular sleep.
• Consider maintenance treatments such as mesotherapy or light peels to keep your glow.

Non-surgical alternatives, such as thread lifts or lipofilling, can extend or complement the results in some cases. For the contours of the neck and chin, neck liposuction or genioplasty are sometimes offered alongside.

Why choose Body Expert in Istanbul

Body Expert isn’t just a middleman: it’s our clinic, our surgeons and our team who look after you, from the first consultation to healing follow-up. You get experienced surgeons and English-speaking support at every step, for natural results and a calm stay in one of the great capitals of facial rejuvenation.

In summary

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is still the most reliable way to correct marked sagging of the face and neck. By repositioning the deep tissues rather than just pulling on the skin, it restores a clean jawline and a rested look, without freezing your expressions. The aim is never to transform a face, but to give it back the glow it had a few years earlier. Depending on what you need, it takes several forms: face, temporal, neck or lip lift, but also breast, thigh or back lift. On technique, the SMAS offers an excellent balance of result and recovery, while the deep plane aims for deeper rejuvenation of the midface.

Results hold for 7 to 10 years, as long as you protect your skin from the sun and look after your youthful capital. Having your facelift in Istanbul with Body Expert means bringing together experienced surgeons, partner clinics selected against our quality criteria and English-speaking support from start to finish, for up to 70% savings compared with the UK.for up to 70% savings compared with the UK. Still unsure about the technique or the type of lift that suits your face? Our experts look at your situation and send you a free, personalised quote within 24 hours, with no obligation at all. It’s the best place to start for a project you can feel calm about.

Sources and references

ISAPS. (2024). ISAPS international survey on aesthetic/cosmetic procedures performed in 2023. International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. https://www.isaps.org/discover/about-isaps/global-statistics/global-survey-2023-full-report-and-press-releases/

Khoury, S., Almubarak, Z., Khan, H., et al. (2025). The deep plane versus SMAS facelift: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 49, 5895-5903. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-05118-x

Meretsky, C. R., Hausner, P., Flynn, B. P., & Schiuma, A. T. (2024). A systematic review and comparative analysis of reconstructive rhytidectomy: advantages, disadvantages, and patient outcomes. Cureus, 16(10). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11539935/

Gordon, N. A., & Sawan, T. G. (2025). Deep-plane rhytidectomy: pearls in maximizing outcomes while minimizing recovery. Facial Plastic Surgery, 41(1), 2-11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38049109/