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Your complete guide and quick links to everything you want to know about a Face Lift in Sydney!
The Progressive Signs of Facial Ageing
As we age, our skin progressively loses its elasticity and starts to sag causing laxity, folds, and wrinkles. The deeper soft tissues of the face, namely the fat and muscle layers, also develop laxity and contribute to this downward migration of tissues.
These changes produce the following common signs of facial ageing:
- Brows descend and contribute to a ‘heavy’ or ‘hooded’ appearance of the upper eyelids.
- Cheek fat pads descend leaving ‘hollows’ across the mid-face that create a ‘drawn’ and ‘tired’ look.
- Lower face skin laxity creates looseness around the jawline with jowls, furrows and folds.
- Neck skin also becomes progressively looser and ultimately develops horizontal and vertical folds.
The net result of all this is an older, drawn and ‘tired look’ with loss of its former youthful firmness.
The good news is that a Face Lift can reverse the above changes and make your face look fresher and more youthful.
The Different Types of Face Lift
1. Mini Face Lift
A Mini Face Lift is all that is required if your facial ageing is not advanced, and your neck skin laxity is confined above the level of the larynx. It is a less extensive but an equally rejuvenating procedure that will leave your face looking noticeably fresher and tighter.
2. Traditional Face Lift (SMAS Face Lift)
A Traditional (SMAS) Face Lift is more extensive than a Mini Lift. It is indicated when there is skin laxity on both the face and neck.
3. Deep Plane Face Lift
This is a very specialised type of Face Lift that can deliver a more natural looking and longer lasting rejuvenation than a Traditional Face Lift.
However, not all face lift surgeons have trained in the Deep Plane Face Lift technique. At Sydney Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Clinic, our Facial Plastic Surgeon is one of a small number of select surgeons in Australia qualified to perform a true, extended Deep Plane Facelift.
In contrast to a Traditional SMAS Face Lift, a Deep Plane Face Lift involves elevating and lifting the skin together with its underlying SMAS layer as a combined flap. This reduces the risk of an overly tight, unnatural appearance – the so-called ‘wind-tunnel look’ – from over-tightened skin.
The Deep Plane Face Lift technique repositions the tissues of the mid and lower face upwards, delivering a softer, more natural, and longer lasting rejuvenation.
Some of the benefits of a Deep Plane Face Lift over a Traditional Face Lift include:
- A more natural-looking rejuvenation.
- Longer lasting results of 10-15 years compared to 7-10 years.
- Restoration and enhancement of the cheeks.
- Minimal visible scarring
- Softer nasolabial folds (‘smile lines’).
- Smoother skin contours
For more details, link to our Deep Plane Face Lift page.
4. Deep Neck Lift
A stand-alone Deep Neck Lift is an excellent option for those who have neck skin laxity without significant lower facial ageing. Individuals with good skin elasticity make better candidates than those with ‘crepey’ neck skin.
The standard incisions in a Traditional Face & Neck Lift are typically along the edge of the temporal hair, in front of and behind the ears, with an extension along the neck’s hairline for correction of the neck.
In contrast, a stand-alone Deep Neck Lift requires only one incision carefully concealed in the skin crease under the chin. Through this incision, our Facial Plastic Surgeon is able to rework the deep muscle layers and of the neck to effectively restore the neckline contour. Only when there is a lot of loose neck skin will an additional incision be required behind the ears.
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
Mini Face Lift Sydney – Watch Our Quick Explainer Video Now
Full Face Lift Sydney – Watch Our Quick Explainer Video Now
Recovery After A Face Lift
- Swelling & skin discolouration from superficial bruising after surgery are to be expected. They will subside over the ensuing weeks.
- Pain is usually mild only and easily controlled by pain medications. Many patients express surprise as to how much less than expected their discomfort is.
- Suture removals are scheduled for 7-10 days after surgery.
- Driving is not recommended in the first 2 weeks after your surgery because of the head and neck turning movements involved.
- Wearing Glasses & Contact Lenses: Contact lenses may be worn the day after surgery. Spectacles can be worn as soon as the pressure bandage is removed.
- Hair & Body Care: Most patients are allowed to shower and wash their hair after they return home but as every case is different, please seek the advice of your surgeon before you are discharged from the hospital. Hair colouring should be deferred until 4 weeks after your surgery.
- Household Activities: Once back at home, you can be up and about but only perform activities that are within the limits of your comfort. In particular, do not bend over, lift heavy items, or engage in strenuous chores in the first 2 weeks after surgery.
- Clothing: During the first week after surgery, avoid clothing that must be pulled over your head.
- Returning To Work & Social Activities: Your return to work will depend on the amount of physical activity involved, the people-contact nature of your job, and the amount of swelling and discolouration you develop. Most patients can return to work or go out socially 3 weeks after surgery when the swelling and discolouration have largely disappeared.
- Resumption of Physical Activities: Avoid swimming, strenuous activities or exercises that involve turning the head for 6 weeks.
Before & After Face and Neck Lifts
Mini Face Lift 'Before & After'
Traditional Face Lift (SMAS Facelift) 'Before & After'
Deep Plane Face Lift 'Before & After'
PLEASE NOTE: All the following results are examples of the Deep Plane Facelift technique by Dr Adam Honeybrook, one of only a few surgeons in Australia qualified to perform a true, extended Deep Plane Facelift after having trained with pioneering experts in the United States, including Dr Andrew Jacono in New York, and Dr Kevin Duplechain in Los Angeles.
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
Deep Neck Lift
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
(Dr Adam Honeybrook)
How Long Does The Correction Last?
As facial ageing is a natural, ongoing process that never stops, you will continue to age at your normal rate after the surgery. In other words, do not expect that your new ‘look’ will last indefinitely.
On average, most Traditional Face Lifts can be expected to last around 7-10 years but Deep Plane Face Lifts last in the order of 10-15 years.
Potential Risks & Complications of Face Lift Surgery
Specific to Face & Neck Lift Surgery:
- Post-operative bleeding with possible hematoma formation (a collection of blood under the skin) which if large, may require a return to theatre for removal.
- Infection of the incisions requiring topical wound care and antibiotics.
- Poor wound healing and skin loss, more likely in smokers and diabetics.
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation, usually temporary.
- Seroma (excess fluid accumulation under the skin) requiring one or more aspirations.
- Contour irregularities of the skin and discolouration.
- Facial nerve injury with weakness of the facial expression muscles.
- Temporary or permanent hair loss around any incisions within the hair.
- Wide or thickened scars (hypertrophic or keloid) could occur if you are prone to them. Pigmented scars are more likely in those with brown or Asian skin.
- Sutures may spontaneously extrude through the skin or be palpable under the skin.
- Asymmetry between the two sides.
General Risks:
- Allergic reaction to medications, sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions.
- Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and its potential to cause life-threatening Pulmonary Embolism.
- Adverse Reactions to Anaesthesia or Medication: The safety of anaesthesia nowadays in Australia is well established. Nevertheless, potential risks exist with all anaesthesia and unexpected reactions can occur. These may include nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions ranging from minor to severe. Respiratory failure, heart failure, heart attack and stroke are rare but documented risks of any general anaesthesia.
Additional Procedures Often Included With A Face Lift
Not uncommonly, other facial procedures may be added to any of the foregoing varieties of Face Lift to deliver a more harmonious and pleasing aesthetic result. These include:
- Eyelid Surgery: Upper and/or Lower Eyelid Surgery are common additions to many Face Lift procedures.
- Brow Lift: A Brow Lift may be recommended if the brow has significantly descended and is causing or contributing to ‘heaviness’ of the upper eyelids.
- Facial Liposuction: Irrespective of the type of Face Lift planned, if you also have excess fat deposits in the jowl areas or under the chin, you will benefit from liposuction to those areas at the same time.
- Facial Fat Grafting: To enhance facial features such as higher cheekbones, or restore areas of lost facial volume.
- Neck Lift: In patients with loose neck skin, a Deep Neck Lift may need to be included. This is done through a short, inconspicuous incision under the point of the chin.
Face Lift Cost Sydney
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Face & Neck Lift Cost
The total cost of a Face Lift in Sydney will be made up of the following individual costs:
- Surgical Fee: From $7,500
Any additional procedures such as facial liposuction, eyelid surgery, brow lift, etc will incur additional surgical fees to the above.
- Hospital Fee: Your total Hospital Fee will be made up of :
- Operating Theatre Fee – calculated by the hourly Operating Theatre Rate and the duration of your surgery.
- Overnight stay fee after your surgery
- Anaesthetist Fee: Basically depends on the duration of your surgery. Anaesthetic Fees are generally around $880 per hour.
- Post-Operative Support Garment
Can I Claim a Medicare or Private Health Insurance Rebate?
Being a cosmetic procedure, there is no Medicare Rebate for any form of Face Lift Surgery, nor can you claim on your Private Health Insurance.
FAQ
Face and Neck Lifts are requested by both men and women with advanced signs of facial ageing that cannot be significantly improved by any non-surgical procedure.
All Face and Neck Lift procedures are performed in a Licensed Hospital under General Anaesthesia.
Depending on the type of Face Lift, and whether any additional procedures are planned such as a Neck Lift, Brow Lift, or Eyelid Surgery, your surgery can take anywhere between 3 and 10 hours.
A Face Lift involves your surgeon making incisions along the pre-operative markings and then carefully dissecting, tightening, and fastening the previously loose tissues in their new and more youthful positions.
All incisions are then sutured and dressings applied.
Overnight stay in hospital is usually required, but you can go home the next day after your surgeon checks you.
A Deep Plane Facelift provides a more natural and longer lasting correction than a Standard Facelift. A Deep Plane Face Lift avoids an overstretched appearance that is sometimes evident after other types of face lift. Moreover, compared to the average Standard Face Lift durations of 7-10 years, the rejuvenation from a Deep Plane Facelift can last 10-15 years.
A Deep Plane Face Lift does cost more than a Standard Face Lift because it is more complex and takes considerably longer to perform. Our surgeon will provide you with a quotation after they have assessed you at your initial consultation.
A Deep Plane Neck Lift involves making an incision under the point of the chin and tightening the muscles on the front of the neck.
This will depend on the extent of your surgery as well as the type of work you do. On average, most patients need around 3 weeks off work, but you can certainly work from home during this time if you wish.
Naturally, a scar will always develop where the skin is cut. However, your surgeon will always try to locate the final scars where they will be least conspicuous. Most face lift incisions heal very well and are not conspicuous. However, patients with olive or brown skin are more likely to develop brown pigmented scars and accordingly must bear this possibility in mind when considering any form of surgery.
The cost of a Face Lift will naturally depend on the type and extent of the surgery required.
As everyone’s signs of facial ageing can be very different, a face lift needs to be customised to each patient. Accordingly, a reliable estimate of fees can only be provided when our surgeon has seen you and determined what exactly needs to be done.
Being a cosmetic procedure, a Face Lift is not eligible for a Medicare Rebate, nor can you claim your Hospital Fees on Private Health Insurance.