What is Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery Sydney, also known as rhytidectomy, is a highly effective cosmetic procedure designed to reverse visible signs of ageing and restore youthful facial contours. Over time, our skin loses elasticity, facial muscles weaken, and volume diminishes, leading to sagging skin and deep lines. Facelift surgery works by tightening the underlying tissues, smoothing the skin, and lifting sagging areas for a rejuvenated appearance that still looks natural.

Facelift Surgery Sydney with Australia Plastic Surgery

At Australia Plastic Surgery, every facelift surgery including mini facelift procedures, is performed by highly experienced, AHPRA-certified plastic surgeons. Under the leadership of Dr Laith Barnouti, our team focuses on precision, safety, and achieving balanced, natural results tailored to your unique facial anatomy.

Our surgeries are carried out in accredited Sydney surgical facilities with advanced safety protocols, ensuring every procedure meets the highest medical and ethical standards. Each treatment plan is personalised to deliver long-term aesthetic harmony, addressing not only visible signs of ageing but also enhancing your overall facial balance.

As an AHPRA-registered medical practice, Australia Plastic Surgery upholds strict ethical guidelines and patient safety standards. Whether you’re considering a full facelift or a mini facelift Sydney procedure, you’ll receive expert surgical care, modern technology, and compassionate support throughout your journey.

How Can A Facelift Surgery Improve My Appearance?

As we age, skin thins and loses collagen, muscles weaken, and fat volume decreases—leading to sagging and a tired look. A facelift directly targets these deeper layers, lifting and tightening facial tissues to restore smoother contours and definition that non-surgical treatments can’t fully achieve. The result is a refreshed, more youthful appearance that still looks naturally you.

When Do I Get My Mini Facelift?

For individuals showing early signs of ageing such as mild sagging or loss of jawline definition, a mini facelift Sydney offers subtle rejuvenation with less downtime.

It uses smaller incisions and limited tissue adjustment, allowing most patients to resume normal activities within a week.

Am I a Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery is an ideal option for those whose facial concerns cannot be resolved through nonsurgical treatments.

You may be a good candidate for a facelift surgery Sydney if you experience:

  • Loose, drooping skin around the cheeks and jawline

  • Heavy jowls or deep nasolabial folds

  • Loss of definition in the lower face and jawline

  • A double chin or excess fat below the chin

  • A desire for a more permanent solution than non-surgical treatments

Ideal candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations for the outcomes of the facelift surgery procedure. Facelift surgery is not only for older patients; lifestyle, genetics, and weight fluctuations can all impact skin elasticity, meaning some individuals in their 30s or 40s may seek surgical intervention earlier than expected.

During your consultation, your Australia Plastic Surgeon will assess your facial anatomy and discuss your goals to determine whether a full or mini facelift is right for you.

What Is The Best Age to Get A Facelift Surgery?

There is no fixed “magic age” for a facelift. The best time depends more on how your face is aging (skin laxity, jowls, neck changes) rather than just the number on your birthday. But most people find their ideal window between their mid-40s and mid-50s.

Younger patients in their late 30s or early 40s might benefit more from less invasive options or a mini facelift, while those in their 60s and beyond can still achieve great results if they’re in good health, though recovery may take longer.

Will My Facelift Surgery Be Performed Under Anaesthesia?

At Australia Plastic Surgery, your comfort and safety are our top priorities throughout your facelift surgery Sydney. Every facelift surgery is performed under the most suitable form of anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and your personal comfort level.

For most facelift surgery Sydney patients, general anaesthesia is used to ensure a completely pain-free and relaxed experience. Smaller or less invasive procedures—such as a mini facelift Sydney—can often be performed using local anaesthesia combined with light sedation. During your pre-surgery consultation, Dr. Laith Barnouti and his team will discuss which option is best suited to your individual needs and medical history.

How Should I Prepare Before My Facelift Surgery?

Preparing well helps you heal faster and achieve the best results from your facelift surgery Sydney. Here are a few things you should pay attention to before getting a facelift surgery:

  • Stop taking blood thinners or supplements two weeks before surgery (with your doctor’s approval).
  • Avoid smoking or alcohol for at least two weeks before and after your facelift surgery.
  • Arrange a ride home and plan for a few days of rest post-surgery.
  • Keep your skin clean and avoid harsh treatments before your procedure.

Following these simple steps ensures your facelift surgery Sydney goes smoothly and supports a quicker recovery.

Which Type of Facelift Surgery Is Suitable for Me?

Facelift surgery is highly customized to suit the needs and goals of each patient. Depending on your concerns, several techniques may be recommended:

  • Standard Facelift: This traditional technique addresses moderate to advanced signs of ageing in the lower two-thirds of the face. The incisions are made discreetly around the temples and ears, providing lasting results with minimal visible scarring.

  • Short-Scar Facelift: Also known as a mini facelift, this technique focuses on the lower third of the face, offering a less invasive approach with shorter incisions. Ideal for patients with mild sagging, this method is often performed with local anaesthesia and has a quicker recovery time.

  • SMAS Facelift: Targeting deeper layers of tissue, the SMAS facelift lifts the skin and the underlying muscle layer for a more substantial, natural-looking lift. This technique of facelift provides long-lasting results without the “windswept” appearance associated with older facelifts.

  • MACS Facelift: A minimally invasive technique, the MACS facelift is ideal for patients with good skin elasticity and minor sagging. This facelift procedure involves smaller incisions and repositioning tissues with the help of threads, offering a quicker recovery time and excellent results for younger patients.

  • Deep Plane Facelift: Focusing on the deeper facial structures, the deep plane facelift provides a more durable and natural-looking result by lifting the skin, SMAS layer, and facial fat pads as one unit. This approach is ideal for patients seeking significant restoration of facial volume and contour.

Can I Combine Facelift Surgery with Other Treatments?

For enhanced facial balance, facelift surgery can be safely combined with other complementary procedures, such as:

  • Neck Lift – Tightens and smooths the neck area to match the rejuvenated appearance of the face.

  • Brow Lift – Elevates drooping brows and reduces forehead lines for a refreshed, open-eyed look.

  • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) – Corrects sagging or puffy eyelids to make the eyes appear brighter and more youthful.

  • Neck Liposuction or Double Chin Reduction – Removes excess fat under the chin for sharper definition.

These combination options allow for comprehensive facial rejuvenation, ensuring the face, eyes, and neck maintain harmony and natural proportion after facelift surgery.

For patients deciding between facelift and neck lift, visit our detailed blog guide here.

My Facelift Consultation

When considering a facelift procedure, we must assess your facial balance. This includes your skin quality, the appearance and position of facial lines, and the bony facial structure. The meticulous analysis of a patient’s facial form is one of the most interesting and complex aspects of plastic surgery. Our surgeons will take you through all the facial issues that need to be addressed, thoroughly explaining the treatment available for your specific condition. These consultations are highly informative and educational.

The difference between mini, short scar, and full facelift surgery are:

Mini Face Lift: The incision/scar will be above the hairline. Mini Face Lifts have a short recovery time of 2-5 days, and lower cost.

Short Scar Face Lift: The incision/scar is at the junction of the ear and the side of the cheek. It finishes at the earlobe and does not extend behind the ear. This incurs an average cost, and an average recovery time of 5-8 days.

Full Face Lift: The incision/scar is at the junction of the cheek and the side of the cheek. It extends behind the ear and reaches the scalp. This has a higher cost and is a longer procedure. Recovery times can be up to 8-14 days.

  1. After making the right incision, the surgeon then separates the skin from the fat and muscle below.
  2. The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and trims the excess.
  3. Volume is usually added to certain areas to enhance it e.g. cheek bone areas.
  4. Liposuction usually done for the neck and targeted facial area.
  5. Other synergistic procedures are often included e.g. tear trough, eyelids, and cheek enhancement surgery may be performed to optimise the results.
  6. Finally, the incisions are secured with resorbable stitches, so you do not need to go through the inconvenience of removing them.

    The procedure will take between 90 minutes and 6 hours depending on the extent of face lift, rejuvenation, or contouring procedure. It can be done under General Anaesthetic or Local Anaesthetics with some sedation.

    If a general anaesthetic is used, you will need to stay in hospital overnight. If only local aesthetic and sedation is used then we will help arrange for you to go home on the same day with some support.

    A bandage covering the whole treated area must be worn for 24 hours.

    Routinely, we will be seeing you twice within the first week to review the wound and make sure that you are comfortable. The stitches are resorbable so they do not need to be taken away as they usually fall apart by themselves.

    Temporary bruising under the eyes is common and subsides gradually after the first week.

    Initially, your face will feel stiff and appear artificially tightened.

    This subsides naturally and the process can be accelerated by the application of cold compresses to the affected areas.

    All facelift surgeries leave small scars — but your surgeon will carefully place them along natural skin creases, around the ears, or within the hairline so they’re barely noticeable.

    Over time, these scars fade and become almost invisible. Following your aftercare instructions and using recommended scar treatments will also help them heal beautifully. Read more about risks accociated with this procedures here.

    You will need to rest completely for the first 48 hours. During this time, you should be careful to avoid sudden head movements.

    Normal activity can be resumed in about 5 days after mini face lifts, 8 days after short scar face lifts, and 14 days after full face lifts.

    After 7-10 days, you will return to the clinic for a follow-up appointment where your sutures will be removed, and the healing progress will be assessed. Many patients return to light activities around the 2-week mark, although full recovery can take up to a year for minor swelling and tightness to fully resolve.

    The cost of facelift surgery Sydney depends on several factors, including the technique, surgeon’s expertise, and hospital fees. At Australia Plastic Surgery, we offer transparent pricing, flexible payment plans, and detailed consultations to help you make an informed decision.

    Book your personalised facelift surgery Sydney consultation today and take the first step towards a refreshed, confident you!

    What Are The Risks Associated With This Procedure?

    Plastic surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries inherent risks and potential complications.

    Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.

    For additional information, please refer to our FAQ page.