Facelift
Facelift in Singapore
Noticing sagging skin or deeper lines when you look in the mirror?
As we age, it’s natural for the skin to lose firmness and facial features to change. You may notice looser skin, deeper folds, or less definition around the cheeks and jawline.
While skincare and non-surgical treatments can offer short-term improvement, a facelift surgery provides a more effective and longer-lasting way to lift and refine your features, helping you look refreshed and naturally renewed.
Medically Reviewed by Dr Colin Tham
Consultant Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon MB ChB (Aberdeen), FRCS (Ireland), FAMS
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that improves visible signs of ageing in the face and neck. It involves lifting and tightening the underlying facial tissues, removing excess skin, and recontouring the face to achieve a tighter, more youthful appearance.
Facelift surgery helps to improve:
- Sagging skin in the mid-face or cheeks
- Deep creases around the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds and marionette lines)
- Jowls along the jawline
- Loose skin or excess fat under the chin and neck
Who Should Get a Facelift?
A facelift is often considered when non-surgical treatments can no longer effectively address the signs of ageing. It's a suitable option for those looking to reposition sagging facial volume, tighten loose skin and muscle to achieve a fresh, youthful appearance. .
A facelift can help if you:
- Have sagging or loose skin on the face and neck
- See deep creases or folds that make you appear tired or aged
- Have lost definition in the jawline or developed jowls
- Feel that fillers or non-surgical options are no longer effective or durable
Ultimately, the goal of a facelift is a natural, young and rejuvenated appearance that does not look “overdone”.
Specialised Facelift Techniques We Provide
Deep-Plane/Sub-SMAS Method
This lifts the deeper layers of tissue and muscle together for more durable results; rather than just tightening the skin. By repositioning the underlying structures, it restores definition to the cheeks and jawline while keeping expressions natural.
Vertical Vector SMAS Lift
The deeper facial tissues are pulled upwards, reversing the gravitational direction of ageing. Volume is restored to its youthful position enhancing cheek contour and defining the jawline. The effect is youthful rejuvenation without the “pulled high-speed” look.
SMASectomy & MACS Techniques
For varying degrees of skin laxity, Dr Tham offers SMASectomy (SMAS excision) and MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) lifts.
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SMASectomy
involves removing a small strip of the SMAS layer before tightening it, more suited for patients with moderate to more advanced sagging. -
MACS
lifts use shorter incisions with looped sutures for patients with earlier signs of ageing, offering noticeable lift with reduced downtime and more discreet scarring. - In suitable patients and for more durable results, Dr Tham will perform a SMASectomy while using anchoring methods from both SMASectomy and MACS lift techniques.
Designed for Safety, Comfort & Convenience
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Day Surgery
Most patients return home on the same day and are able to resume light activities within a few days. -
Comfortable Experience
Many facelifts are performed under local anaesthesia with light sedation; although general anaesthesia is also available upon request. -
Minimal Downtime & Scarring
Tissue (fibrin) glue helps reduce bruising and swelling without the need for drains, while discreet tragal incisions and complimentary scar laser sessions hide external evidence of the procedure. -
No Drains
Dr Tham’s techniques minimise bleeding and fluid accumulation, eliminating the need for post-operative drains in most cases. -
Stitch & Garment Removal
Sutures and facial support garments are typically removed within a week, making post-surgical care straightforward and convenient.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for a Facelift?
The best candidates for a facelift are individuals who are in good general health and have realistic expectations about the outcome. You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are in your 40s to 70s (although healthy older patients may also be considered)
- Have moderate to more extensive signs of facial ageing
- Have good skin elasticity and strong bone structure
- Are a non-smoker, or willing to stop before and after surgery
- Do not have uncontrolled medical conditions
During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your facial anatomy, medical history, and aesthetic goals to determine whether a facelift, or a different facial rejuvenation procedure, is the best option for you.
How Is a Facelift Performed?
Facelift surgery is usually performed under intravenous sedation (or general anaesthesia if requested), and typically takes 3 to 5 hours depending on the complexity and whether other treatments, like a neck lift or eyelid surgery, are included.
The procedure begins with discreet incisions along the edge of the tragus (the ridge of cartilage in front of the ear) and around the ears. Through these openings, deeper layers of the face including muscles and fat are lifted, repositioned, and tightened, while any excess skin is removed. The skin is then carefully re-draped, and the incisions closed to minimise visible scarring.
For those with loose skin or extra fat under the chin, a neck lift can be performed at the same time through the same incision, helping to improve overall contour and definition.
What to Expect Before, During, and After a Facelift
Before Surgery
During your consultation, your surgeon will review your goals, medical history, and take photos for planning. You may be asked to:
- Stop smoking and avoid certain medications (e.g. blood thinners)
- Undergo lab tests or a medical evaluation
During Surgery
On the day of your facelift, anaesthesia is given to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure. The surgeon will perform the facelift based on your customised plan, carefully making incisions, repositioning tissue, removing excess skin, and closing the incisions with sutures. After the procedure, you’ll be monitored in a recovery area before going home the same day.
After Surgery
Some swelling, bruising, and tightness in the face and neck are normal and usually ease within a week. A compression garment will be used to support healing, and any discomfort can be managed with medication.
Follow-up appointments allow your care team to monitor progress and remove stitches. Most people are able to resume light activities within a week, with full recovery taking several weeks.
Recovering from a Facelift
Recovery from a facelift happens gradually, and following your post-operative care instructions is key. Here’s a general timeline to give you an idea of what to expect:
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First week
Swelling and bruising usually peak but start to improve. Mild discomfort is common. -
Second week
Bruising and swelling fade, and many patients feel comfortable going out in public. -
Weeks 3-4
Residual swelling continues to improve. Most people can return to normal routines, including work and social activities. Exercise and more strenuous activities can be resumed. -
After 6 weeks
The final results of your facelift become more visible as healing completes.
Scars are discreet and continue to fade over the following months. Proper wound care, avoiding direct sun exposure, and complimentary scar lasers help support a smooth recovery.
Are There Non-Surgical Alternatives to a Facelift?
Yes. If you’re looking for less invasive ways to refresh your appearance, there are several non-surgical options for mild to moderate signs of ageing, or if you wish to avoid surgery:
Dermal Fillers
Restore volume and smooth out wrinkles, especially in the cheeks and around the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds and marionette lines).Muscle-Relaxing Facial Injections
Temporarily reduces dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement (e.g., crow's feet, forehead lines).Thread Lift
Uses dissolvable threads to subtly lift sagging skin.Ultherapy or Thermage (Radiofrequency) Treatments
Stimulates collagen production and tightens/lifts skin with ultrasound or radiofrequency energy.Laser Resurfacing
Improves skin tone, texture, and reduces fine lines.
While these treatments offer noticeable improvements, they cannot match the dramatic and long-lasting results of a surgical facelift. Many patients start with non-surgical options and later transition to surgery for more substantial and lasting rejuvenation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expertise You Can Trust
Dr Colin Tham
Consultant Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon MB ChB (Aberdeen), FRCS (Ireland), FAMS
Dr Colin Tham is an accredited plastic surgeon in Singapore with more than 20 years of experience performing facelifts with good patient outcomes. He has trained in Scotland, Taiwan, and Singapore, gaining in-depth experience across a variety of techniques.
Combining surgical precision with a deep understanding of facial anatomy, Dr Tham strives to achieve natural-looking results that rejuvenate one’s appearance without changing their unique facial character.