Facelift For Men

This is a modified version of the traditional facelift, but it is considerably less invasive and generally focuses on the lower portion of the face. This particular treatment is great for addressing bothersome jowls and can even be performed alongside other treatments to enhance the results. For example, chin augmentation (chin implants) are a popular add-on for men who wish to have a more defined, and masculine, jawline.

There are several different mini facelift techniques which we use here at the Cadogan Clinic.

• S facelift - So-called because of the shape of the incision, this particular technique sees the surgeon remove excess skin and fat to contour the lower portions of the face. This results in a more defined profile, a popular request for men seeking a facelift.
• SMAS facelift - A superficial musculoaponeurotic system facelift, more commonly known as a SMAS facelift, targets the bottom two-thirds of the face. This particular technique addresses male concerns of excess fat, sagging skin and unwanted jowls. It can also restore lost volume to the cheeks if required.
• Deep plane facelift - A deep plane facelift is a more in-depth technique which delivers a much longer-lasting result. A surgeon will cut into the deeper layers of tissue between fat and muscle and reposition it to provide masculine definition to the cheeks and jawline.

These techniques target the lower part of the face, but they can be combined with surgeries which target other problem areas, such as eyelid surgery, which can tackle eye bags, a common male complaint. Non-surgical treatments, such as dermal fillers or anti-ageing injectables, can also be used on the upper part of the face alongside a mini facelift.

A traditional full facelift for men targets deep folds and wrinkles, improving the appearance of the whole face. Because it is a more extensive surgery, it requires longer incisions, resulting in a higher likelihood of scarring, compared to the mini facelift.

Another option for a male facelift is the micro facelift. The micro facelift is a new and innovative treatment, popular with younger patients, and can take as much as five years off a person’s face. It is so minimally invasive, it has been dubbed the ‘one-stitch facelift’.

This particular male facelift option focuses on the middle section of the face, from below the eyelids, around the cheekbones and down to the upper lip. This section of the face is particularly prone to the telltale signs of ageing, including common male complaints of hollowed eyes and deep nasolabial folds. 

A micro facelift restores masculine cheekbone definition by targeting saggy cheek fat, and results in a natural, more youthful, appearance overall. A one stitch facelift can also be combined with other surgical procedures, such as a neck lift, for an enhanced result. 

A micro facelift has very little downtime and this procedure can be done with minimal inconvenience, scars and risk. A micro facelift is particularly suitable for men who are displaying the early signs of facial ageing and often acts as a precursor to a mini or full facelift.

We also offer a non-surgical facelift option, which is a bespoke combination of treatments tailored to meet your individual needs.

Your journey with the Cadogan Clinic will start with up to two consultations with one of our leading specialist plastic surgeons at our award-winning premises in Chelsea. These consultations will take between 30 and 60 minutes.

During your consultation, your surgeon will ask about your expectations for facelift surgery and talk about what will happen during the procedure. They will also explain how the procedure will affect you.

It is important that you are open and honest about what you hope to achieve through surgery to help ensure the best possible result. Your surgeon will be happy to answer any questions you may have at this point. It may be a good idea to write your questions down before attending the consultation. Having established what you want from the surgery, and what is possible given your facial anatomy, several key measurements will be made and standard clinical photography will be taken. Your medical history will be discussed and a physical examination will be carried out.

If your surgeon feels you are a good candidate for surgery, you are then invited to consider whether you would like to proceed with your facelift or not following a two week 'cooling off' period.

During this period, you are welcome to come back to the Cadogan Clinic and discuss your potential facelift surgery with your surgeon as many times as you like.

If you decide to go ahead with surgery following the cooling-off period, the next time you will return to the clinic is on the day of the procedure. It is important that you prepare for your male facelift by taking the following measures ahead of surgery.

Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend that you stop smoking six weeks before surgery and during the recovery period.

Avoid taking certain medications. You should avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements in the week ahead of your brow lift. Taking these can increase bleeding.

Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for a friend or family member to drive you home after you leave the hospital and stay with you for at least the first night of your recovery at home.

In the six hours prior to surgery, you must not consume food or any drink, other than small sips of clear fluid which will be allowed up to two hours before you are admitted to the clinic. Clear fluids include still water, black coffee and black tea.

On the day of your procedure, we ask that you arrive for your admission an hour before the agreed start time of surgery. At this point a nurse will come and record blood pressure and other relevant tests, you will meet with your anaesthetist and your surgeon who will make the final mark-ups. A general anaesthetic is administered. Here at the Cadogan Clinic, we use Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA) for full facelift surgery to ensure minimal sickness post-procedure and a quicker recovery time. Local anaesthetic or sedation may be used for less invasive facelift surgery such as mini-lift or micro-lift surgery.

The surgeon will make the appropriate incisions before gently lifting the skin into an upwards position, removing any excess skin. Depending on your individual case, the surgeon may also tighten the deeper tissues on the face. Once the procedure is completed, the incision will be closed with staples or sutures, and dressings will be applied.

Surgery can take several hours, depending on which procedure(s) you are having done. Other treatments can be carried out at the same time as a male facelift, for example, a neck lift to tighten the skin around the jowls and chin.

Following your facelift surgery, you will recover in our ambulatory recovery rooms. You may feel a little drowsy but this often wears off within a few hours.  Once you are able to eat and drink, and our specialist nursing team are happy that your initial recovery is complete, you will be allowed to leave the clinic with a friend or family member.

It is not uncommon to experience some pain following a male facelift and this will wear off in due course. Any pain can be controlled using over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol. You should expect some bruising and swelling at the incision areas.

We recommend taking two weeks off work and avoiding exercise for several weeks to allow yourself to recover from your facelift.

Our 24/7 on-call service is open to all patients for any question or query they may have at this time.

You will meet in person with our nursing team one week after surgery to check the incision sites. We also recommend meeting one of our aestheticians to discuss ongoing treatment to support the healing process if required.

A final check-up will take place six weeks after your brow lift surgery.