What does a facelift really treat?
A facelift (Rhytidectomy) treats the anatomical changes of ageing in the middle and lower thirds of the face:
- Sagging skin over the cheeks — the "drooping cheeks" that give a heavy, tired appearance
- Marionette lines — the lines running from the corner of the mouth toward the chin
- Deep nasolabial folds — partially, by lifting the tissues
- Neck laxity and platysmal bands — usually treated along with it
- Jawline definition — becomes noticeably clearer after the lift
✅ What a facelift treats
- Sagging, loose skin
- Jawline definition
- Tightening the front of the neck
- Lifting the cheeks
❌ What it does not treat on its own
- Fine wrinkles and skin that has lost its texture
- Pigmentation spots and colour changes
- Volume loss in the cheeks and temples
- The forehead and eyes (they need separate procedures)
The SMAS technique — why does it matter?
The essential difference in the modern facelift is treatment of the SMAS layer (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) — the musculo-aponeurotic layer directly beneath the skin.
Tightening the skin alone (the old generation) gives a "pulled, artificial" look and relapses quickly — because skin on its own cannot hold the tension for long. An SMAS lift re-elevates the supporting tissues in the deeper layer, and the skin follows naturally — a more natural, longer-lasting result.
"The best facelift is the one nobody can tell is a facelift. The goal is for people to say 'you look well' — not 'it looks like you had surgery'." — Dr. Ahmad Dawood
Who is the ideal candidate — and why is it not necessarily a number?
The ideal facelift candidate is not necessarily defined by an age. The best candidate has:
- Skin that still has reasonable elasticity — if the skin is very worn out, it may not respond optimally
- Well-structured facial bones — they give the result "depth" and hold the lift better
- Good health — heart disease or uncontrolled anticoagulant medication complicates matters
- A stable weight — major weight change after the operation affects the result
- Realistic expectations — the goal is "rejuvenation", not "transformation"
The facelift and complementary procedures
The best facelift results come when it is combined with procedures that treat what the lift alone cannot achieve:
Fat transfer to the face
To restore lost volume in the cheeks and temples — the facelift lifts, fat transfer restores fullness.
Neck lift
Combined almost always — treating the neck without the face, or vice versa, gives an unbalanced result.
Skin resurfacing
A peel or laser treats the skin's texture and fine wrinkles 3-6 months after the lift.
Recovery — the realistic timeline
Are you a candidate for a facelift?
Read: the full facelift page or book a free consultation for a personal assessment.