Need a Lift? Types of Facelifts and Facelift Costs Explained

It's hard not to think of certain celebrities when you hear the term facelift. But facelifts aren't just for famous faces. Below, we provide useful information about traditional facelifts, non-invasive facelifts and all the types in between, as well as what they cost and more to help you get the results you want.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift, which is medically known as a rhytidectomy, is the general term used for any surgical procedure that alters skin and other facial and neck tissue to improve the signs of aging. People get facelifts to improve obvious signs of aging on the face and/or neck. Some of the specific issues facelifts are often used to address include:²

• Sagging skin
• Deep skin folds, creases and wrinkles
• Loose or extra skin
• Drooping cheeks or jowls
• Double chin
• Sagging or drooping eyelids

Benefits

People get facelifts to look younger, and a facelift could improve your self-esteem and confidence. Research shows that most people who have cosmetic surgery, such as facelifts, experience an increase in body image and self-esteem.⁴

Risks

Like all procedures, facelifts do carry certain risks. Having your facelift done by a skilled, board-certified cosmetic surgeon can reduce the risk of adverse events and complications.⁵

Risks of a facelift procedure include:¹

• Issues related to anesthesia
• Infection
• Post-surgical hematoma
• Fluid accumulation
• Nerve damage
• Numbness and changes in skin sensation
• Swelling
• Scarring
• Skin color changes
• Hair loss at the incision sites that may be temporary or permanent

What to expect during a facelift procedure

A traditional facelift procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes incisions around your ears, hairline, and below your chin or jawline. The skin is then gently pulled away to expose the underlying tissues so the facial muscles and supportive structures can be tightened, and excess fat in your neck and jowls can be removed. Once this is complete, the skin is repositioned over your face to look natural. Excess skin is then removed.¹

Recovery timeline and expectations

Facelift recovery varies depending on factors ranging from the type of facelift procedure or facelift technique, the extent of the work you have done, your age and your overall state of health.

Your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with aftercare instructions and tell you what concerns to look for at the site of the incisions. You will also be given medications to take orally or apply to the skin.¹

You may have a bandage placed around your face to minimize bruising and swelling. Small tubes may be needed to remove excess blood and fluid in the early stages of recovery and healing after a facelift procedure is performed.¹

Most people are “public ready" or “presentable" within 10-14 days following a facelift, but it can take up to 3 months for your face to feel normal again.¹

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

The average cost of a facelift is $8,005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.³ However, this cost does not include related expenses such as anesthesia and operating room facilities.

The price of a facelift can also vary significantly depending on your geographical location and the surgeon's experience.¹

Another key variable regarding the average cost of a facelift is the type of facelift you choose. Due to all of the different types of facelift procedures, a consultation with a plastic surgeon can help you determine the best option based on your goals and budget.

Below, we've listed some of the most popular types of facelifts, including both surgical and non-surgical facelifts. These may be performed alongside other face-lifting procedures to help you achieve the desired results.

SMAS facelift

SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) facelifts are a variation of a traditional facelift. It involves manipulation of the SMAS, which is the layer of muscle involved in facial expression and supporting the structures for the face and neck. The procedure is used to correct sagging of the neck and the lower two-thirds of your face.⁶

The average cost of an SMAS facelift is $10,700.⁷

Cutaneous facelift

A cutaneous facelift involves the skin only and doesn't disturb any underlying tissues and structures. It's used to remove excess skin from the face and neck.⁸

The average cost range of a skin-only facelift is $6,000 to $11,700.⁸

Mini facelift

A mini-facelift is similar to a traditional full facelift, but with a smaller incision. It focuses on the lower portion of the face and neck and doesn't involve removing as much tissue as a traditional facelift. ⁹

A mini facelift costs between $3,500 and $8,000.¹⁰

Deep plane facelift

A deep plane facelift is generally used to address multiple areas of your face at the same time. The procedure involves lifting the SMAS, fat and skin as a single unit. It provides the most dramatic lifting, but with natural-looking results.¹¹

The average cost of a deep plane facelift is $15,550.¹¹

Eyelid lift

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is used to change the appearance of the eyes.

There are three types of eyelift surgery: ¹²

• Upper eyelid lift is mostly used to improve vision loss and the appearance of the eye due to aging or genetics by creating a more open or rounded appearance.
• Lower eyelid surgery removes wrinkles and under eye bags.
• Double eyelid surgery, while for anyone, is a popular ethnic procedure that involves making a crease in the upper eyelid to make the eyes wider and larger-looking.

The average cost of eyelid surgery is $4,120.¹²

Neck lift

A neck lift is used to address loose/excess fat and skin in the lower face, chin and neck, and to remove a “double chin" or “turkey neck" appearance.¹³

The average cost of a neck lift is $5,774.¹³

Brow lift

Also called a “forehead lift" or an “upper facelift," a brow lift focuses on the skin and underlying tissues above the eyes. It's used to reduce forehead wrinkles and frown lines. It corrects a sagging or hooding brow and eyes for a more alert and youthful appearance.¹⁴

The average cost of a brow lift is $3,900.¹⁴

Mid facelift

A mid facelift targets the skin and underlying tissues from the corners of the eyes to the corners of the mouth, including your nose, cheeks and upper lip.¹⁵ It's also known as a cheek lift or vertical facelift.

The average cost of a mid facelift ranges between $4,000 and $10,000.¹⁶

Lower facelift

A lower facelift targets the skin and underlying tissues below the corners of the mouth, including laugh lines, jawline and often the chin and neck.¹⁵

The average cost of a lower facelift is $9,950.¹⁷

Thread lift (face thread lift)

A thread lift facelift is a less invasive alternative to traditional facelift surgery that simply stitches portions of excess skin to suspend it for a lifted look. A thread lift boosts collagen production, which can help keep the skin firmer and slow signs of aging. ¹⁸

The results are subtle yet visible, but don't last as long as a traditional facelift surgery.

The average cost of a thread lift is $2,050.¹⁹

Lip Lift

A lip lift raises the space between the nose and lip, exposing more of the pink portion of the lip for a fuller lip without adding volume. Different variations are available to accentuate different portions of the lip, such as the corners.²⁰

The cost of a lip lift can range from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the variation you choose.²¹

Facelift tape

This is a non-surgical, DIY facelift that uses special tape to pull and hold up the skin. This creates an instant illusion of a lift that remains while the tape is in place.²²

Dermatologists warn that pulling on the skin could actually affect laxity and accentuate sagging and other signs of aging over time. ²²

The tape can be purchased in beauty stores and online for anywhere from $5 to $100+.

Liquid facelift

A liquid facelift is a type of non-surgical facelift that utilizes a combination of injectable dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, in different parts of the face. It can be customized to address areas of concern, such as wrinkles around the eyes, nose and mouth, or to add volume to the lips, or soften contours and sagging around the eyes and jaw.²³

The cost of a liquid facelift is $2,450, but can vary considerably depending on the type of filler used and how much is needed.²⁴

Ponytail facelift

Ponytail facelift is a marketing term rather than a medical one, much like “mommy makeover." It's used to describe a minimally invasive facelift, like an endoscopic facelift or mini/micro lift that gives the effects of wearing a tight ponytail, such as pulling up the skin of the forehead, brows and cheeks. Unlike other facelifts that involve incisions around the ears, a ponytail facelift uses tiny incisions within the hairline. ²⁵

Since the term “ponytail facelift" is used to describe different techniques and procedures by different surgeons²⁵, the cost of a ponytail lift is hard to pin down. Estimates online range from $3,500¹⁰ to $30,000²⁶, depending on the procedure used, the location and the surgeon.

Non-invasive facelift

Non-invasive facelift is a term often used to refer to any non-surgical facelift procedure. It's sometimes used to refer to liquid facelifts²⁷ or ultherapy which is a non-surgical skin tightening using ultrasound to jumpstart your body's collagen production in the face and neck.²⁸

The cost of a non-invasive facelift depends on the procedure.

The average cost of a liquid facelift is $2,450.²⁸ The average cost of non-surgical skin tightening is $2,456.³

CareCredit Financing for Facelifts

The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for facelift procedures and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* If approved, you can also use it to pay for other cosmetic procedures, treatments and products. Use our Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist who accepts CareCredit.

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. She's written extensively on physical and mental health conditions and treatments, as well as fitness, beauty, and relationships. She's best known for her empathetic and informative pieces for Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today, and more.