Facelift

We are often asked about methods for a "non-surgical facelift", such as HIFU facelifts (ultrasound) or facelifts using fillers. These treatments can temporarily tighten the skin or restore volume and can be a good first step. However, it is important to know that even the best non-surgical facelift can never provide the same lasting or extensive anatomical restructuring as a genuine surgical facelift, particularly where there is a significant amount of excess skin. How much does a non-surgical facelift cost? Injections are significantly cheaper (from around 4,000 SEK depending on the method), but require regular maintenance.

A lower facelift (sometimes called a mini facelift) focuses exclusively on the lower third of the face – that is, the jawline and sometimes the upper part of the neck. It is less extensive and often has a shorter recovery time. Prices for a lower facelift also start at a lower level (from SEK 80,900). A full facelift addresses the entire mid-face, cheeks, jawline and neck simultaneously.

The term "botched facelift" often refers to older techniques where the skin has been pulled too tightly, resulting in a tight or "wind-blown" appearance, or where severe scarring has occurred. To minimise the risk of this, our specialists use modern "deep plane" and SMAS techniques, where the tension is applied to the underlying tissue, not the skin. Choosing a qualified plastic surgeon with extensive experience, and strictly adhering to a ban on smoking and alcohol, are the most important factors in ensuring a safe and medically sound outcome.

Scars are inevitable with surgery, but in a facelift, the incisions are strategically placed to be as discreet as possible. They are usually made within or just at the edge of the hairline at the temples, follow the natural creases of the ear (sometimes inside the ear) and continue behind the ear into the hair at the nape of the neck. With our advanced suturing techniques and strict post-operative care instructions, these scars fade during the first year and often become very difficult to detect.

The first 48 hours are the most critical in terms of swelling, and dressings are often used to apply pressure (face lift). You should expect to take time off work and avoid social gatherings for around two to three weeks due to bruising and swelling. Physical exercise, activities that raise your heart rate and heavy lifting must be avoided for at least four to six weeks so as not to increase blood pressure and risk bleeding under the skin and increased swelling.

A facelift does not stop the natural ageing process, but it does ‘turn back the clock’ anatomically. Depending on your genetics, the quality of your skin and how well you protect yourself from the sun, most patients find that the results of a deep facelift last for 10 to 15 years. The surgery establishes a new, firmer underlying structure, which means that, anatomically speaking, you will always look younger than you would have if you hadn’t had the procedure.

It is only natural that many people search for “the best clinic for a facelift” or “the best plastic surgeon in Sweden for a facelift”; after all, you can’t hide your face. At The Faculty, we always encourage patients to be critical of their sources, to check the plastic surgeon’s formal specialist qualifications, to look for verified reviews, and to ensure that the operation takes place in premises equipped to the highest safety standards. The most important thing is that you feel completely confident during your consultation.