Facelift

Facelift in Istanbul, medically known as Rhytidectomy, is a surgical cosmetic procedure designed to tighten facial skin and deeper tissues to reduce wrinkles and visible signs of aging, while improving the overall appearance of the face and jawline. This procedure helps address aging effects caused by loss of skin elasticity, genetic factors, daily stress, and prolonged sun exposure, giving the face a more youthful and well-balanced look.

At DK Estetiq in Istanbul, facelift surgery is performed following a precise and personalized plan that respects each patient’s natural facial features. The procedure includes tightening facial muscles, redefining facial structure, and removing excess skin and fat when necessary, to achieve smooth and natural results without affecting the shape of the nose, mouth, or ears. The surgery is carried out by experienced, certified specialists who focus on fine details to deliver long-lasting results and a refreshed appearance that reflects vitality and confidence.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for a Facelift?

A facelift in Istanbul is a suitable option for individuals in good overall health who begin to notice visible changes in their facial appearance due to aging. Candidacy for a facelift is determined after a detailed medical consultation that focuses on skin quality, facial muscle tone, and setting realistic expectations to achieve balanced and natural results.

Facelift in Istanbul is commonly recommended for patients experiencing a loss of natural facial muscle support and reduced skin elasticity, which leads to sagging in the face and neck areas. These age-related changes are often difficult to improve with non-surgical treatments alone, making facelift surgery an effective solution for restoring facial harmony and a more youthful contour.

The procedure is also suitable for individuals with deep wrinkles around the nose and mouth or pronounced lines affecting different areas of the face and neck. By choosing a facelift in Istanbul, patients can achieve smoother skin, softened wrinkles, and an overall refreshed appearance while preserving their natural facial features.

Some patients choose a facelift when their appearance makes them look tired or older than their actual age, or when there is noticeable sagging in the chin and neck area. In such cases, the procedure helps restore a fresher and more energetic look while preserving the person’s natural facial features.

Facelift Procedure

A facelift in Istanbul is usually performed under general anesthesia to ensure maximum patient comfort and a high level of surgical precision. This is particularly important as facelift surgery involves working with the deeper layers of facial tissues and muscles to achieve long-lasting and natural-looking results. General anesthesia allows the surgeon to perform the procedure safely while the patient remains completely relaxed.

In some limited and carefully selected cases, a facelift in Istanbul may be performed using local anesthesia combined with sedation. The choice of anesthesia is determined after a thorough medical evaluation and detailed discussion with the patient, taking into account the extent of the procedure, overall health, and desired outcomes.

Facelift Surgery Step by Step:

The facelift procedure follows precise and carefully planned steps aimed at achieving natural and harmonious results while preserving the patient’s core facial features. The main steps include:

• The surgeon begins by making fine incisions that are usually hidden along the hairline on both sides of the scalp, extending toward the front or behind the ear to minimize visible scarring.
• If there is significant sagging in the jawline or neck area, an additional small incision may be made under the chin to help tighten this area and improve jawline definition.
• The surgeon then carefully removes excess skin while preserving healthy tissues and ensuring balance between both sides of the face.
• The remaining skin and tissues are gently lifted upward and backward to reduce wrinkles and sagging, restoring a more youthful and refreshed facial appearance.
• In the final stage, the incisions are closed with fine sutures, and dressings are applied to help reduce swelling and support the healing process.

In some cases, the surgeon may carefully redistribute facial fat and tissues to improve volume in certain areas, helping achieve more natural and balanced results without an overly tight appearance.

Initial facelift results become noticeable after swelling and bruising subside, while the final results may take between six to nine months to fully stabilize, as the face gradually settles into its natural final shape.

Recovery After Facelift Surgery

The recovery phase after a facelift in Istanbul is a vital part of achieving optimal and long-lasting results. Recovery time may vary from one patient to another depending on the extent of the procedure and individual healing response. Carefully following the surgeon’s instructions during this period helps reduce swelling, supports proper healing, and preserves the final outcome.

In general, the recovery period after a facelift in Istanbul includes the following stages:

• Patients are usually advised to take two to four weeks off work to allow enough time for full recovery after facelift surgery.
• During the first two days after the facelift, showering or exposing dressings to water should be avoided, and strenuous physical activities should be limited.
• Keeping the head elevated and supported with pillows for several days after a facelift in Istanbul helps minimize swelling and promotes faster healing.
• After approximately one week, stitches are either removed or dissolve naturally, depending on the type of sutures used.
• Over the following weeks, redness and scars gradually fade, and the facial skin begins to look smoother and more natural.
• Within six to nine months, the final results of the facelift in Istanbul fully settle, revealing a refreshed, youthful, and rejuvenated facial appearance.
• At DK Estetiq, patients receive continuous medical follow-up and a personalized aftercare program to minimize potential side effects and ensure a safe recovery with stable, natural-looking results.

Planning Your Facelift Surgery

Proper planning is a key step in ensuring the success of a facelift procedure and achieving safe, natural-looking results. At DK Estetiq, we focus on making the facelift journey clear and smooth from the very beginning, paying close attention to both medical and organizational details so that the patient feels comfortable and confident at every stage.

The planning process for a facelift follows several simple and well-structured steps, designed to fully prepare the patient before surgery and ensure a comprehensive treatment experience:

• Receiving an initial medical consultation with our specialists, during which the facial condition is evaluated, aesthetic goals are discussed, and all details of the facelift procedure and expected results are explained clearly.
• Coordinating with the DK Estetiq team to arrange all logistical aspects, including accommodation, transportation, and scheduling the facelift procedure at a fully equipped hospital in Istanbul that meets high medical standards.
• Arriving in Istanbul, meeting the specialist surgeon for final examinations, preparing for the procedure, and receiving continuous medical follow-up along with a procedure guarantee certificate.

The Difference Between Surgical and Non-Surgical Facelift

Many people confuse surgical facelift procedures with non-surgical treatments, but the main difference lies in the depth of correction and the expected results. A surgical facelift addresses significant sagging by tightening the deeper tissues and skin, providing noticeable and long-lasting improvement. In contrast, non-surgical options are usually used for mild or early signs of aging, such as improving skin elasticity or reducing fine lines.

During the consultation at DK Estetiq, the degree of sagging, skin quality, and patient expectations are carefully evaluated to determine the most suitable solution. In some cases, non-surgical treatments may be sufficient, while in others, surgery is the best option to achieve natural and well-balanced results without exaggeration.

Combined Face and Neck Lift

In many cases, signs of aging are not limited to the face alone but extend to the neck, chin area, and jawline. For this reason, the surgeon may recommend combining a facelift with a neck lift to achieve a more harmonious result, especially when sagging is visible below the jawline or when a double chin is present.

Combining both procedures helps redefine the jawline and significantly improve the appearance of the neck while preserving the natural facial features. The need for this combination is determined after a detailed medical evaluation to ensure the safest and most effective outcome.

Are Facelift Results Permanent?

The results of a facelift in Istanbul are considered long-lasting in most cases, as the procedure addresses facial sagging at its root by tightening the underlying tissues and removing excess skin when needed. This comprehensive approach allows for a noticeable and stable improvement in facial contours and overall appearance.

Although a facelift in Istanbul does not completely stop the natural aging process, it effectively turns back the clock by several years. With proper aftercare, a stable weight, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, patients can maintain their rejuvenated look and enjoy the benefits of facelift surgery for many years.

To maintain results for as long as possible, patients are advised to keep a stable weight, follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, take good care of their skin, and avoid excessive sun exposure. Medical follow-up and adherence to the surgeon’s instructions also play an important role in the stability of the results.

When Does the Face Look Natural After a Facelift?

After a facelift, patients may notice swelling or tightness during the first few days, which is normal and temporary. As swelling improves and bruising fades, the face gradually regains a more natural appearance, with results becoming softer and more realistic over time.

The time required to achieve a natural look depends on the type of procedure and individual healing response. Most patients notice clear improvement within the first few weeks, while the final results settle over several months. At DK Estetiq, the goal is always to enhance youthfulness without changing the patient’s natural facial features.

Does a Facelift Leave Scars?

One of the most common concerns before undergoing a facelift in Istanbul is the possibility of visible scarring. In reality, facelift incisions are carefully planned and placed within natural skin folds, along the hairline, and around or behind the ears, making them as discreet as possible and difficult to notice once healing is complete.

With proper aftercare and by following the surgeon’s instructions, scars after a facelift in Istanbul gradually fade over time and become barely noticeable. During the consultation, the surgeon explains the expected incision locations and provides clear guidance on scar care to ensure the best possible aesthetic outcome.

With proper aftercare and adherence to medical instructions, scars gradually fade and become less noticeable over time. During the consultation, the surgeon explains the expected incision locations and how to care for them to ensure the best possible outcome.

Facelift Surgery for Men

Facelift surgery has become increasingly popular among men, especially those who want a more refreshed and energetic appearance without looking artificial. Planning a facelift for men focuses on preserving natural masculine features such as the jawline and skin distribution, while taking into account differences in skin thickness and hair growth patterns.

At DK Estetiq, facelift procedures for men are carefully customized to balance tightening sagging areas with maintaining a natural look, using the most suitable techniques to achieve clear yet subtle results.

Preoperative Preparation for Facelift Surgery

Proper preparation before a facelift helps reduce potential risks and supports a smoother recovery. During the consultation, the patient’s medical history and current medications are carefully reviewed, and the surgeon may request certain tests to ensure full readiness for the procedure.

• Inform the surgeon about any chronic medical conditions or previous surgeries
• List all medications and supplements taken on a regular basis
• Stop blood-thinning medications only after consulting the doctor
• Quit smoking for a period specified by the surgeon to improve wound healing
• Follow fasting and dietary instructions before anesthesia as directed by the medical team

Postoperative Instructions After Facelift Surgery

Following postoperative instructions plays an important role in reducing swelling, speeding up recovery, and maintaining long-term results. Patients receive a clear follow-up plan that includes incision care and scheduled check-ups to ensure safe and smooth healing.

• Keep the head elevated while sleeping to help reduce swelling
• Avoid strenuous physical activities and intense exercise for the period advised by the surgeon
• Take prescribed medications as directed and attend follow-up appointments
• Avoid exposing the incisions to water or heat during the early recovery phase, as instructed
• Protect the skin from sun exposure and use sunscreen once medically approved