Home · Plastic surgery · Facelift & neck lift
Facelift (rhytidectomy) · Istanbul & Izmir, Turkey
Facelift in Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey, deep plane, SMAS or mini
A facelift (rhytidectomy) repositions the muscle layer under sagging skin and tightens the jawline and neck — something fillers and skincare alone cannot reverse once the deeper tissue has dropped. JFS Clinic plans your facelift in Istanbul or Izmir, Turkey, with transfers and a personal coordinator included, from £3,650 (with neck lift from £4,000).
Patient service award three years running · Licensed for health tourism
Key facts
Facelift in Turkey at a glance
Your price and your dates
Facelift Turkey cost and available dates
Your facelift package is listed from £3,650 (from £4,000 with a neck lift) and includes your surgery, every transfer and a personal coordinator; your hospital and hotel nights are confirmed once your surgeon sets your technique. Two photos are all your coordinator needs to put together your plan and the open dates on your surgeon's calendar. Most people pick a date within about a week of that first message.
Am I a candidate?
Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
At your consultation, your surgeon checks three things: how far your SMAS layer has dropped, how much loose skin needs trimming, and whether your neck needs its own incision. That hands-on assessment — not what technique you ask for — is what decides between a mini, SMAS or deep plane facelift.
Jowls and a dropped SMAS layer, why fillers cannot lift them
Below the skin, a sheet of muscle and connective tissue called the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), only a couple of millimetres thick, holds the cheeks, jawline and neck in their youthful position. With age that layer gradually loosens, and the tissue it supports slides downward, forming jowls along the jaw and folds beside the mouth. Filler can soften the surface for a period, typically months to around a year depending on the product, but it adds volume rather than lifting the layer underneath. Once the SMAS itself has visibly dropped, repositioning it — not adding more volume on top — is what brings the jawline and cheek back toward their earlier line.
Signs a facelift may suit you
- Jowls along the jawline, or a jaw that no longer looks defined when you look straight ahead.
- Loose skin and vertical bands in the neck, sometimes called a "turkey neck", that scarves and collars no longer hide.
- Fillers and non-surgical treatments have started giving a puffy rather than lifted look, or stop lasting as long as they used to.
- You are a non-smoker, or able to stop smoking well before and after surgery — smoking slows healing along the incision.
- You are otherwise fit and well, without a health condition that would make a general anaesthetic risky.
| Mini facelift | Full (SMAS or deep plane) facelift | |
|---|---|---|
| Area treated | Lower face and jawline only | Mid-face, jawline and often the neck |
| Tissue moved | Skin, with limited work on the muscle layer | SMAS muscle layer repositioned, skin redraped over it |
| Incision | Shorter, mostly in front of the ear | Hairline at the temple, around the ear, into the lower scalp |
| Result longevity | Shorter-lived, as it does not address the deeper layer | Longer-lasting, since the supporting layer itself is lifted |
| Typical candidate | Early jowling, good skin quality, no neck concern | Established jowls, loose neck skin, visible muscle bands |
What to discuss at your facelift consultation
- How far the SMAS layer has dropped, and whether a mini, SMAS or deep plane technique fits your face (see the comparison below).
- Whether a neck lift should be added in the same operation if muscle bands or loose skin extend below the jaw.
- Whether blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) should be combined if your eyes are part of what you want to address.
- Where your final scar will sit, so it stays hidden within your hairline and the fold of your ear.
- Your full medical history, including any previous facial surgery or filler treatment.
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis. Only your surgeon can confirm what's right for you, once they've reviewed your photos and medical history.
Not every facelift is the same
Types of facelift, deep plane, SMAS and mini
At JFS Clinic, your surgeon chooses between a mini, SMAS and deep plane facelift by assessing, by eye and by feel, how far the cheek and jowl have descended and how far jowling runs along the jaw — the technique follows that assessment, not a request.
- 1Incision along the hairline and around the ear
- 2SMAS layer freed and lifted
- 3Excess skin trimmed
- 4Neck muscle bands tightened under the chin
How a facelift is done
| Technique | Best for | Incision | Tissue repositioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini facelift | Early jowling, good skin quality, little or no neck concern | Shorter, mostly in front of the ear | Limited, mostly skin |
| SMAS faceliftMost common | Most patients with established jowls and mid-face sagging | Hairline at the temple, around the ear, into the lower scalp | SMAS muscle layer across the mid and lower face |
| Deep plane facelift | Deeper jowls and a heavier mid-face, where a more connected lift is wanted | Same as the SMAS technique above | Skin and SMAS lifted together as one layer after the ligaments beneath are released |
| Facelift with neck lift | Loose neck skin and visible vertical muscle bands under the chin | Facelift incision extended with a short cut under the chin | Neck muscle bands brought together, loose neck skin removed |
| Facelift with blepharoplasty | Patients who also want puffy or hooded eyelids addressed in the same operation | Same as the chosen facelift technique, plus a separate eyelid incision | Same as the chosen facelift technique above |
Incision placement and length always depend on how much lifting is needed — your surgeon marks the exact line with you before surgery.
Mini vs SMAS vs deep plane facelift, how your surgeon decides
The choice is not about what you ask for, it is about what your skin and the SMAS layer show at the consultation. Your surgeon checks how far the cheek and jowl have dropped, pinches the skin to judge how much excess there is and looks at whether muscle bands have formed in the neck. Early jowling with good skin quality in patients roughly in their 40s usually points to a mini technique, which is usually the shortest operation; established jowls with a heavier mid-face, more common from the mid-50s onward, point to an SMAS or deep plane lift instead, depending on how connected the surgeon wants the repositioning to be. Loose neck skin and two visible vertical bands under the chin are what move the plan toward adding a neck lift.
A neck lift is often added rather than chosen instead — it addresses loose skin and muscle bands below the jaw that a facelift alone does not fully correct, since a facelift mainly lifts the cheek and jawline while a neck lift works on the area beneath it. The extra time in theatre for combining the two is confirmed by your surgeon. Many patients end up with a combined operation once their surgeon has assessed both areas together. A neck lift performed on its own, without lifting the cheeks, is covered on its own neck lift page.
How far the SMAS has dropped is judged by eye and by feel during the consultation, comparing the position of the jowl and cheek against the jawline. A deep plane technique is usually reserved for a heavier mid-face or more pronounced jowling, where lifting skin and SMAS together after the ligaments are released gives a more natural movement of the cheek than tightening the SMAS separately under a lifted skin flap. The same assessment shapes how much time your surgeon books in theatre: a mini facelift can be under two hours, while a deep plane lift with an added neck lift can run past four.
Our promise to you
A good facelift looks rested, not 'done'. Your surgeon plans a natural lift that suits your face and your age, and your coordinator stays with you from your first photos to your flight home and beyond.
How soon
How soon can you have a facelift in Turkey?
Most JFS facelift patients are in Istanbul or Izmir within about a week of their first message, with the dates of their choosing — there's no waiting list to join.
- 1
Send two photos
Message us on WhatsApp or use the form, with two photos of your face, one straight on and one from the side, and a few lines about your health, medication and any previous fillers or facial surgery.
- 2
Get your personal plan
Your coordinator shares them with your surgeon, who comes back with a suggested technique and a price, plus the open dates, at no cost to you.
- 3
Choose your dates
Once your flights are booked, the hospital, hotel and every transfer are arranged on our side, along with a checklist of what to stop and what to bring.
- 4
Fly to Istanbul or Izmir
Your time in Turkey begins with bloodwork and a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, who signs off on the plan once your results are in.
What can delay your facelift date
Being able to travel within a week does not mean every patient is ready to go straight into theatre. Your surgeon reviews a short list of factors before signing off on the date, and moves it if your blood tests or the pre-operative check point to waiting a little longer. Nothing is booked ahead of that review.
| Factor | Why it matters | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking or nicotine | Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows healing along the facial incision | You are asked to stop for several weeks before and after surgery |
| Recent fillers or Botox | Product still settling can make it harder to judge the natural tissue position | Most surgeons prefer to wait a number of weeks after your last treatment |
| Blood thinners and some supplements | They can increase bruising and bleeding during and after surgery | Your surgeon tells you what to pause and when. Never stop prescribed medication without your own doctor's advice |
| Uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes | Both can raise the risk during a general anaesthetic and slow healing | Surgery is planned once the condition is stable and confirmed safe by your team |
| Active skin condition or infection | Operating through inflamed or infected skin raises complication risk | Surgery waits until the skin has cleared |
If you live in the UK, the NHS rarely funds a facelift, since it's treated as a cosmetic operation, which is why patients weigh up private clinics both at home and overseas. Before committing anywhere, find out how quickly you'd be seen, what the plan is if a test result pushes your surgery back, and exactly who supports you once you've flown home.
Your time in Turkey
How long to stay in Turkey for a facelift
Your coordinator is with you from the moment you land. Transfers between the airport, hotel and clinic are included; your surgeon confirms exactly how many days your technique needs.
- Day
1Arrival
We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Evening call with your coordinator to confirm your plan and answer any last questions before tomorrow's tests.
TransferHotel - Day
2Consultation & tests
Blood tests, then you mark the plan with your surgeon — technique, incision line and whether a neck lift or eyelid surgery is being added.
TestsConsultation - Day
3Surgery
Your facelift takes place under general anaesthesia, typically taking two to four hours depending on your technique. Your surgeon confirms how many nights you then spend in hospital.
SurgeryHospital - Day
4First dressing change
Your initial dressing is checked and often replaced with a lighter support garment. Swelling and bruising are usually at their most visible around now.
Check-up - Day
5Back to the hotel
You rest with your head elevated and take your first short walks with help. Your coordinator shows you how to manage any drains or compression garment.
Rest - Day
6Recovery
Most people feel steadier each day and can manage short walks around the hotel on their own. Your coordinator checks in and arranges anything you need.
Rest - Day
7Check-up
Stitches or clips are checked, and removed if your surgeon confirms healing is far enough along, before you are cleared to travel.
Check-up - At your check-up
Fly home
Final instructions, your aftercare kit and advice for the flight — head elevated, avoid lifting your luggage. Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp.
TransferAftercare
Facelift recovery in Istanbul or Izmir, hospital and hotel
Your coordinator books your hotel in the city where you have surgery — Istanbul or Izmir — and confirms the transfers in your written plan. They stay close by through the quieter days before your final check-up and flight home.
Patient videos
Facelift Turkey reviews in patients' own words
Package & price
Facelift Turkey package and what it includes
- Facelift surgery with your surgeon — a neck lift can be added in the same operation
- 1 day in hospital and 3 hotel nights
- All transfers — airport, hotel, clinic
- Personal coordinator who speaks your language
- Check-ups and aftercare (aftercare items listed in your quote)
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Facelift package, from £3,650 (€4,200 / $4,900) | Surgery included |
| Facelift + neck lift package, from £4,000 (€4,650 / $5,400) | Surgery included |
| Hospital stay after surgery (1 day) | Included |
| Hotel nights during recovery (3 nights) | Included |
| All transfers — airport, hotel, clinic | Included |
| Personal coordinator throughout your stay | Included |
| Check-ups during your stay in Turkey | Included |
| Compression garment or dressings | Confirmed in your quote |
| Post-op medication | Confirmed in your quote |
What changes the price: adding a neck lift or blepharoplasty in the same operation, and how far the lift needs to extend (mini vs. SMAS or deep plane). A mini facelift with limited repositioning can sometimes cost less than the standard package; a deep plane technique, or a combined operation with a neck lift, typically costs more because of the extra surgical time it involves. Your final price is confirmed after your surgeon reviews your photos and your consultation notes.
The operation
How a facelift is done, step by step
At JFS Clinic, your surgeon marks the incision line — from your temple hairline, around the ear, into the lower scalp — while you sit upright, before you go under general anaesthesia for an SMAS or deep plane facelift.
Your facelift starts under general anaesthesia, so you are fully asleep for the whole operation. Those pre-surgery marks, made a few minutes earlier while you sat upright, are a direct continuation of the plan you agreed at your consultation, down to where any neck incision sits if a neck lift is being added.
The operation itself begins with the incision, cut along the line marked earlier. The skin is then lifted away from the SMAS layer beneath it, working forward across the cheek and jawline to reach the area that needs repositioning for your chosen technique.
Inside the lift
Facelift SMAS repositioning in four steps
- 1Dropped SMAS layerThe muscle sheet under the cheek and jaw, assessed before lifting.
- 2SMAS freed and repositionedStitches secure the muscle layer back toward its earlier position.
- 3Excess skin trimmedThe skin is redraped over the lifted layer and the excess removed.
- 4Incision closedFine sutures close the wound within the hairline and ear fold.
Facelift SMAS repositioning
Underneath, the SMAS layer is lifted and secured with several rows of internal sutures, repositioning the cheek and jawline tissue closer to where it sat before gravity and time pulled it down. In a deep plane facelift, the skin and SMAS are lifted together as one layer after the ligaments beneath are released; in an SMAS facelift, the skin is lifted first and the SMAS is tightened separately. With the deeper layer repositioned, the skin is redraped over it and the excess is trimmed away; how much comes off depends on how much the skin has loosened, which is why the technique your surgeon chose at your consultation matters here.
If a neck lift is being added, a short incision under the chin allows the surgeon to bring the vertical muscle bands in the neck together and remove loose skin from that area, continuing the same lift down past the jawline. The incision around the ear and hairline is closed in layers — deeper sutures take the tension off the skin so the scar heals as thin as possible, then fine stitches close the surface close to the hairline and within the natural fold of the ear. A thin drain is sometimes placed for the first day to clear any fluid.
Throughout the operation an anaesthetist watches your heart rate, oxygen levels and blood pressure, adjusting your anaesthesia as the surgery moves between stages — the SMAS repositioning, any neck work and the skin closure each take a different amount of time depending on how much your face needs. A facelift with a full SMAS or deep plane repositioning typically takes around two to four hours in total; a mini technique with limited repositioning can be shorter, while adding a neck lift or blepharoplasty takes longer simply because there is more surgical ground to cover.
Once the dressing is on, you are moved to a recovery area where nursing staff watch you wake from the anaesthetic before your surgeon confirms whether you go home the same day or stay in hospital overnight. A light compression garment usually supports your jaw and neck from the moment you open your eyes, and a drain, when one is used, is checked at each nursing round and usually comes out within the first couple of days, once drainage has slowed enough for your surgeon to be confident the area will heal cleanly without it.
Recovery, day by day
Facelift recovery time, week by week
Move the slider to any point after an SMAS or deep plane facelift at JFS Clinic to see how most patients feel at that stage, what's usually fine to do, and what to hold off on.
Recovery from a facelift happens in three broad phases. The first 7 to 10 days are about protecting the incision and letting the worst of the swelling pass — you sleep with your head raised on two or three pillows, move gently and avoid bending forward. Weeks two to six are about swelling and bruising going down, most of which settles over the first few weeks, and the jawline settling, which is usually when people feel comfortable in social situations again. From six weeks onward, the focus shifts from healing to the face settling into its final, more defined shape over the following 6 to 12 months.
Keeping your head elevated by around 30 to 45 degrees is not just comfort — it reduces fluid pooling in the face while the deeper tissue settles into its new position, which is why it matters most for sleeping in the first couple of weeks. If a drain was placed during surgery, your coordinator shows you how to manage it at the hotel; most people have it removed within the first day or two, once drainage has dropped to a few millilitres.
Typical timeline for an SMAS or deep plane facelift. Your surgeon may give you a different plan, especially if a neck lift or blepharoplasty is combined.
| Activity | Week 1 | Week 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Week 6 | Months 3–6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Short, gentle walks, head elevated when resting | Walking further each day on your own | Normal walking, no restriction by week 3 | Normal walking pace, no restriction | No restriction |
| Desk work | Not yet — the focus is on rest and swelling | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Most people are back at a desk | No restriction | No restriction |
| Driving | Avoid — reaction times are affected by pain relief | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Set by your surgeon after your check-up | No restriction | No restriction |
| Flying | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Set by your surgeon after your check-up | Cleared by your surgeon as you heal | No restriction | No restriction |
| Gym | Not yet | Avoid — no bending or heavy lifting yet | Still avoid — no running or contact sport | Gradual return, starting light | Normal exercise, as cleared by your surgeon |
| Makeup / sun exposure | Avoid over the incision | Light makeup once cleared, avoid direct sun | Makeup as normal, sun protection on the scar | Sun protection on the scar continues | Sun protection on the scar continues, up to a year |
Typical timeline for an SMAS or deep plane facelift, built from the recovery guidance above. Cells marked "Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up" vary too much by individual healing to generalise — ask at your consultation.
In a patient's own words
She's been there on my hospital bed feeding me soup personally by spoon. Every time I've messaged her, she's got either her or my assistant as well to come and bring me whatever I've wanted, whenever I've wanted.
What to expect
Facelift results and scar healing
Most of the early swelling and bruising is gone within about two to three weeks, and by three months most people see their new jawline, though your face keeps settling for several months as deeper swelling resolves. Your coordinator explains in your written plan how photo check-ins work during this time. Many patients notice the jawline change early, while the very final, settled shape — especially close to the ears and hairline — takes closer to a full year to show through completely.
The scar itself follows its own timeline, usually firm and slightly pink for the first 4 to 6 weeks before it starts to soften. Sun protection for the first year, plus whatever scar care your surgeon recommends, is what turns that early pink line into the thin, pale mark most patients end up with, tucked within the hairline and the fold of the ear — the exact pace still comes down to your own skin.
Results vary from patient to patient. Your surgeon will tell you what is realistic for your face at the consultation.
Your facelift surgeon
Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü
ENT and facial aesthetic surgeon · Izmir
Dr. Gümüşlü's background is in ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery, alongside a facial aesthetics practice: facelift, neck aesthetics and facial rejuvenation are a regular part of his work at JFS Clinic. Which surgeon operates, and in which city, is written in your quote.
- Meets you in person before surgery to plan your technique and incision line
- ENT specialist since 2023, trained at Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul
- Member of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (EAFPS)
Questions
Facelift in Turkey, frequently asked questions
How much does a facelift cost in Turkey?
At JFS Clinic, a facelift package is listed from £3,650 (€4,200 / $4,900) and a facelift with neck lift from £4,000 (€4,650 / $5,400); both include your surgery, transfers and a personal coordinator. Your hospital and hotel nights are confirmed once your surgeon sets your technique, and the final figure is confirmed after your surgeon reviews your photos.
See all package prices →How soon can I have a facelift in Turkey?
For most JFS patients, roughly a week separates that first WhatsApp message from being in theatre. Two photos are enough for a personal plan and a set of dates to come back to you; from there, the date firms up once your bloodwork and the in-person consultation in the city where you have surgery are done, or gets pushed back if that's the safer call.
From first message to surgery →Can I get a facelift on the NHS?
Rarely — a facelift is classed as cosmetic, so NHS funding is only approved in exceptional, board-reviewed cases. That's why patients in the UK tend to weigh up private providers instead, looking at the surgeon, the hospital, what aftercare is included and the overall cost.
Is it safe to get a facelift in Turkey?
The country matters less than who is holding the scalpel and where. Your surgeon works in a hospital licensed to treat international patients, and JFS Clinic itself holds a health tourism licence. Nothing is scheduled until bloodwork and a pre-operative check confirm you're fit for a general anaesthetic — and whichever clinic you choose, it's worth checking the same things: the surgeon's training, the hospital's licence, and what aftercare actually means in practice.
Which country is best for a facelift?
No country can honestly claim to be the best for every patient. Compare clinics on standard points: the surgeon's deep-plane experience, because releasing the facial ligaments is where facelift results differ most; before-and-after photos of the jawline; a hospital licensed for international patients; and follow-up once you are home. At JFS Clinic you see your surgeon's name before booking and meet them before surgery. Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü, an ENT and head and neck surgeon, performs facial surgery, and your coordinator passes any question from home to him on WhatsApp.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how painful is a facelift?
You're fully asleep while the surgery itself happens. What follows is usually described as tightness and pulling around the ears and jaw rather than outright pain, calming down as the swelling subsides — medication is given for it, and everyone's experience of that differs a little.
What's the difference between a deep plane, SMAS and mini facelift?
A mini facelift addresses a smaller zone, typically the lower face, through a shorter cut with lighter work on the tissue underneath. An SMAS lift repositions that muscle layer across both the mid and lower face. In a deep plane lift, the skin and SMAS are raised together as one layer once the ligaments beneath are released, which some surgeons feel gives a more natural movement to the cheek and jaw. Which one fits you is something your surgeon settles at the consultation, not before.
Can a facelift be combined with a neck lift or eyelid surgery?
It's a frequent pairing. Where loose skin or muscle bands run down into the neck, a neck lift is typically added in the same session, and blepharoplasty sometimes joins the plan too. The call on combining procedures comes down to your general health and whether the longer time in theatre stays within a safe window. If only your neck and under-chin bother you, a stand-alone neck lift (platysmaplasty) may be enough.
How long are the scars and do they fade?
The incision typically traces from the temple hairline, round the ear, and into the lower scalp — positioned so it disappears into the hairline and the natural crease of the ear. Expect pink and slightly raised at first, settling into a flatter, fainter line across the months that follow, into the following year.
When can I fly home after a facelift?
After your surgeon's final check-up, usually once stitches or clips have been checked and swelling has started to settle. Keep your head elevated during the flight and avoid lifting your luggage.
How soon will I see my final result?
Initial swelling and bruising take two to three weeks to settle, and most people feel comfortable in social situations by around that point. The jawline and neck continue to refine for up to a year as deeper swelling resolves. Results vary from patient to patient. Your surgeon will tell you what is realistic for your face at the consultation.
Often considered together
Treatments often combined with a facelift
Neck lift
If only your neck and under-chin bother you, a stand-alone neck lift (platysmaplasty) may be enough; your surgeon can also add it to a facelift.
Explore →
Blepharoplasty
Your surgeon assesses your upper lids and under-eye area at the same consultation, and can add eyelid surgery to the same operation.
Explore →
Rhinoplasty
Your surgeon can review nose and face together at one consultation; reshaping the nose itself usually takes 2 to 3 hours.
Explore →
Hair transplant
JFS Clinic can schedule this in the same trip when a receding hairline near the temples is part of your plan.
Explore →Free facelift consultation — Istanbul & Izmir
Send two photos and get a personal plan, price and available dates, free of charge.
+90 555 420 45 05- 1 About your treatment
- 2 A bit more about you
- 3 How to reach you
- 4 Your free quote