Face Lift

The surgery is recommended to be performed under general anesthesia for the comfort of the patient. Depending on the type of case, face and jowl sagging, deep wrinkles on the face and neck, deep wrinkles around the mouth, also known as nasolabial, and double chin conditions face and neck lift surgeries can be resorted to. You can share your long-term expectations with your doctor at the first examination and decide on the technique to be used.

Types of Face Lift Surgery

• Traditional Facelift: Traditional Facelift, also known as SMAS Facelift, is usually targeted at visible signs of aging in the mid-face, jowls and neck. SMAS stands for "superficial musculoaponeurotic system", a layer of tissue located under the skin on the face. In a traditional facelift, both the skin and the underlying SMAS layer are intervened to reverse aging and create a more youthful appearance. For this reason, it gives longer lasting results compared to many procedures.
• Mini Facelift: Mini Facelift, also known as Short Scar Facelift, is a surgical operation usually performed in cases suffering from mild to moderate skin sagging and wrinkles. It is a less invasive procedure than a traditional facelift. Although the operation takes less time than a traditional facelift, the SMAS tissue is repositioned at the same time as the excess skin is removed and wrinkles are smoothed, just like in a traditional facelift. For this reason, long-lasting results are obtained in correct case diagnoses.
• Mid Face Lift: The Mid Face Lift, also known as a Cheek Lift, is a surgical procedure planned to reposition and restore volume to sagging tissues in the mid-face area. This technique specifically targets the middle part of the face, including the cheeks and the area under the eyes. Over time, the fat pads in the cheeks lose their volume, creating an appearance that pulls the face downward. With a mid-facelift, both the skin that has lost its elasticity and the SMAS tissue are intervened and long-term results are achieved. Mid-face lift can be combined with blepharoplasty and temporal lift surgery according to the needs of the case.
• Lower Facelift: Lower Facelift is a surgical technique that specifically targets the jowl and chin area (marionette lines) that have lost their contour and designs tightening and rejuvenation in these areas. Due to certain factors, the skin and muscles in the lower face lose their elasticity and this causes a very tired appearance on the face. In this technique, depending on the needs of the case, excess skin in the lower part of the face can be removed and the muscles there can be improved. A more defined jawline and sagging neck appearance are eliminated. If needed, it can be combined with a full neck lift surgery and a tightened and rejuvenated appearance can be achieved on the lower face and neck.
• Neck Lift: A Neck Lift, also known as a Lower Rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that aims to restore the contour of the neck and jawline, especially planned for cases suffering from the appearance of a "turkey neck" or "double chin". It aims to improve sagging skin, excess fat and loose muscles in the neck area. If there is excess fat in the jowl area, excess fat is removed by liposuction method and excess skin that has lost its elasticity is removed. For long-term results, muscle repair, also called muscle taping, is performed on the neck. Thus, a more taut and youthful neck appearance is achieved. For more extensive cases, it can be combined with a facelift operation.
• SMASectomy Facelift: SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is a layer of tissue under the skin that plays a very important role in facial support.  In the SMASectomy technique, excess skin is removed, but in addition to the traditional facelift, some of it is removed before the SMAS is repositioned. It can be planned for patients with special facial anatomy, those with moderate to severe facial sagging or those with a thick SMAS layer. However, SMASectomy facelift surgery requires a high level of surgical skill and experience.
• Composite Facelift: Composite facelift is a very comprehensive surgical procedure planned to address multiple layers of facial tissues. In this technique, both the SMAS facelift technique and the deep plane facelift technique are used together. Planned for patients suffering from severe skin sagging, this technique aims to reposition the deep facial tissues, also known as the retaining ligaments, along with treating excess skin and the SMAS layer. Composite facelift is one of the most advanced facelift techniques that involves rejuvenation in multiple facial areas and improvement of multiple layers.
• Deep Plane Face Lift: Deep plane facelift is a highly inclusive surgical procedure that provides simultaneous tightening and rejuvenation of the mid-face, jowl and neck areas. In addition to removing or repositioning tissues such as skin and SMAS, a Deep Plane Face Lift also improves the deeper layers of the face, known as the retaining ligaments and muscle fascia. As it is a deeper and more comprehensive procedure, depending on the needs of the case, longer-lasting results are possible. It can be combined with operations such as blepharoplasty or brow lift according to your surgeon's recommendations.

INCISIONS AND SCARS

Traditional Facelift: Temporal Incision: The surgeon makes an incision in the hairline in the temporal region. This incision provides access to the upper part of the face, including the cheeks and midface.

Preauricular Incision: A second incision is made starting from the temporal region and extending downward following the natural curve in front of the ear. This incision allows the surgeon to lift and reposition the SMAS layer and remove sagging in the lower face.

Postauricular Incision: The incision continues behind the earlobe and can extend to the hairline of the lower scalp. 
This incision provides access to the neck and lower face. 

In a traditional facelift, your surgeon strategically hides the incisions in the natural curves and contours of the face, aiming to make them as invisible as possible. These incisions are usually closed with absorbable sutures and do not need to be removed.
Scars vary from case to case, but an experienced surgeon knows how to hide them well.

Mini Face Lift: Short Temporal Incision: The surgeon makes a short incision in the hairline above the ear. This incision is usually smaller and less extensive than the incision used in a traditional facelift.

Preauricular Incision: A second incision is made starting from the temporal region and extending downward following the natural curve in front of the ear. This incision allows the surgeon to lift and reposition the tissues in the lower face.

Minimal Postauricular Incision: In some cases, a small incision may be made behind or just below the earlobe to address the neck area.

In Mini Facelift, also known as Short Scar Facelift or Limited Incision Facelift, the incisions are placed by the surgeon in the natural folds and contours of the face. It is a less invasive method as it is designed with shorter incisions compared to other facelift techniques. The sutures used in this technique are absorbable and do not need to be removed. Since the surgical scars are shorter than traditional facelift, they are less noticeable. A skilled and experienced surgeon will hide these scars as much as possible.

Mid Facelift: Temporal Incision: The surgeon makes a short incision in the hairline above the temple area. This incision is usually inconspicuous and well hidden in the hair.

Lower Eyelid Incision: A second incision is made under the lower eyelid, near the lower lash line. This incision allows the surgeon to access and lift the tissues in the mid-face area.

In the Mid-Face Lift procedure, also known as a Cheek Lift, incisions are more limited than in traditional facelift procedures. These incision scars are skillfully hidden by an experienced surgeon and fade over time.

Lower Face Lift: Preauricular Incision: The surgeon makes an incision that starts in the temporal region above the ear, then curves downward in front of the ear (preauricular). This incision allows the surgeon to access and lift the tissues of the lower face, including the jowl and the area along the jawline.

Postauricular Incision: The incision continues behind or just below the earlobe, extending to the hairline of the lower scalp. This additional incision allows the surgeon to address sagging and excess skin in the neck area. 

The length and specific shape of the incision scars with this technique varies from case to case. Your doctor will give you detailed information at your first consultation. These incisions are hidden in the lower part of the face and the sutures used are absorbable sutures.
 

Neck Lift: Traditional Neck Lift Incision: The most common incision for a Neck Lift starts behind the earlobe and extends toward the hairline of the lower scalp. This incision allows the surgeon to access and lift the underlying neck muscles and tissues, as well as remove excess skin.

Posterior Hairline Incision: In some cases, an additional incision can be made just at the hairline of the lower scalp, which allows access to the neck tissues without extending the incision behind the ear. Since this technique is planned according to the needs of the patient, there may be liposuction scars in addition to the incisions of the neck lift surgery itself. 

The nature of neck lift is a more favorable technique in terms of placing the incisions in places that are not visible. 
Stitches are absorbable and do not need to be removed. 

SMA Sectomy Face Lift: Temporal Incision: The surgeon makes a short incision in the hairline above the temple area.
This incision is usually inconspicuous and well hidden in the hair.

Preauricular Incision: A second incision is made in front of the ear, starting from the temporal region and extending downward in front of the ear (preauricular). This incision allows the surgeon to access and lift the tissues in the midface and lower face.

Postauricular Incision: The incision continues behind or just below the earlobe, extending to the hairline of the lower scalp. This additional incision allows the surgeon to address sagging and excess skin in the neck area.

In the SMA Sectomy facelift technique, your surgeon will camouflage the incisions inside the hairline and in the folds of the face itself. The size of the scars varies from case to case, but these well-hidden scars will fade over time. The sutures used are absorbable and do not need to be removed.

Composite Face Lift: Temporal Incision: The surgeon makes a short incision in the hairline above the temporal area.
This incision is usually inconspicuous and well hidden in the hair.

Preauricular Incision: A second incision is made in front of the ear, starting from the temporal region and extending downward in front of the ear (preauricular). This incision allows the surgeon to access and lift the tissues in the midface and lower face.

Postauricular Incision: The incision continues behind or just below the earlobe, extending to the hairline of the lower scalp. This additional incision allows the surgeon to address sagging and excess skin in the neck area.

During surgery, the surgeon lifts and repositions the underlying facial tissues, including both the superficial SMAS layer and the deeper facial tissues known as the retaining ligaments. In this technique, the incision scars are hidden within the contours of the face. The size of the incision scars can be decided at the initial consultation with the doctor according to the needs of the case. 
The surgical scars fade over time and do not stand out. 

Deep Plane Face Lift: Temporal Incision: The surgeon makes a short incision in the hairline above the temporal area.
This incision is usually inconspicuous and well hidden in the hair.

Preauricular Incision: A second incision is made in front of the ear, starting from the temporal region and extending downward in front of the ear (preauricular). This incision allows the surgeon to access and lift deeper facial tissues.

Postauricular Incision: The incision continues behind or just below the earlobe, extending to the hairline of the lower scalp. This additional incision allows the surgeon to address sagging and excess skin in the neck area.

The specific incision pattern may vary according to the patient's individual facial anatomy, the extent of the surgery and the surgeon's preferred approach. Placement of the incisions ensures that the resulting scars are usually well hidden within the natural folds and contours of the face. Over time, the scars tend to fade and become less noticeable.