Thanks to facelift surgery, signs of aging such as wrinkles, volume loss, and skin laxity can now be effectively corrected. The cervico-facial lift remains the most comprehensive cosmetic surgery procedure for achieving lasting rejuvenation.
But which technique should you choose among all the available options? We explain all the techniques in detail to help you understand them better.
Correcting while Preserving your Natural Expressions
Modern facelift surgery no longer aims to excessively pull the skin. Current cosmetic surgery techniques allow for natural correction of aging effects while preserving your natural expression. At Laclinic-Montreux, the procedure is personalized according to your goals and the condition of your skin.
During the first consultation, your surgeon will assess several factors:
- The degree of skin laxity in the face and neck
- Volume loss in the cheekbones
- Excess skin and fat
- Tissue quality and elasticity
- Deep wrinkles and folds
- The facial oval and its contours
This consultation helps determine if cosmetic surgery alone is sufficient or if complementary aesthetic medicine treatments (such as hyaluronic acid or lipofilling) are necessary.
1. Deep-plane Facelift
The benchmark procedure in cosmetic surgery
The deep-plane lift represents the pinnacle of modern cervico-facial lifting. This procedure works beneath the SMAS muscle layer, allowing for harmonious repositioning of all facial structures. The surgeon completely releases the ligaments to avoid any excessive tension on the skin.
The operation, performed under sedation, lasts approximately 3 to 4 hours. The incisions, discreetly placed around the earlobe and in the hairline, become almost invisible after a few months. This technique allows for:
- Effectively correct facial and neck laxity
- Restore lost volume
- Redefine the facial oval
- Treat significant jowls
Recovery takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Risks remain rare when performed by an experienced surgeon. A hematoma may sometimes appear, requiring careful monitoring in the first postoperative hours.
2. SMAS Facelift
The perfect balance between effectiveness and postoperative recovery
The SMAS facelift is a fundamental technique in facial cosmetic surgery. The procedure directly targets the muscle layer to achieve natural rejuvenation. The surgeon can either fold the SMAS (plication) or remove a portion of it to optimally tighten the tissues.
Performed under sedation, the operation lasts 2 to 3 hours. The scars follow the same path as for the deep-plane facelift. This procedure treats:
- Moderate to severe skin laxity
- Excess skin in the neck area
- Pronounced nasolabial folds
- Loss of contour definition
Patients resume their activities after 10 to 14 days. Stitches are removed between 7 and 10 days. Swelling gradually disappears over 2-3 weeks.
3. Mini-facelift
The minimally invasive surgical aesthetic solution
Do you wish to correct the first signs of aging without major surgery? The mini-facelift is the ideal option. This minimalist cosmetic surgery technique effectively treats early skin laxity in the lower face.
The procedure, often performed under local anesthesia, lasts approximately 2 hours. The incisions, limited to the area around the ear, result in very discreet scars. The surgeon gently tightens the skin and can work superficially on the muscles as needed.
Advantages of the Mini-Facelift
- Mild postoperative effects
- Quick return to activity (one week)
- Minimal risks
- Natural result
- Possibility to combine with aesthetic medicine treatments
This procedure is particularly indicated for individuals with mild to moderate laxity, nascent jowls, or a less defined facial oval, who wish to regain a firmer and more harmonious appearance while preserving their natural expression.
4. Mid-facelift
Focus on the mid-face with or without lipofilling
The mid-facelift is a surgical procedure focused on the mid-face, primarily the cheeks and cheekbones. The operation can be performed alone or combined with lipofilling to restore lost volume. The mid-face lift allows for:
- Correct skin and muscle laxity in the cheeks
- Restore volume and support the cheekbones
- Smooth nasolabial folds and reduce early signs of aging
The surgeon repositions the malar fat that has descended over time. When necessary, lipofilling complements the procedure by reinjecting your own fat harvested from the body. This combination of surgery and aesthetic medicine offers remarkable results.
The procedure, performed under sedation, lasts 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on complexity. Recovery requires 10 to 15 days.
To discover which technique best suits your needs, consult our page dedicated to facelift surgery where you will find all available treatments.
The mid-facelift offers natural, subtle, and harmonious rejuvenation, without affecting the lower face or neck, and is ideal for those who wish to improve their facial appearance without resorting to a full facelift.
5. MACS-Facelift
Minimally invasive technique with lasting results
The MACS-Facelift revolutionizes the cervico-facial lift approach with its minimalist philosophy. This procedure uses permanent suspension sutures to create a natural vertical lifting effect, without extensive skin dissection.
The operation, performed under local anesthesia with sedation, lasts approximately 2 hours. Incisions are limited to the area in front of the ear, without extending into the hairline. The surgeon places 2 to 3 sutures that act as internal suspensions to:
- Lift sagging tissues
- Correct early jowls
- Redefine the facial oval
- Improve moderately lax neck
Postoperative effects remain simple with little swelling. Patients return to work after one week. Scars become almost invisible after 3 months.
6. Preservation Facelift
The new approach to cosmetic surgery
The preservation facelift represents the most recent evolution in facial cosmetic surgery. This technique maximally preserves natural anatomy, particularly fat compartments and ligaments. Instead of repositioning everything, the surgeon works selectively to maintain natural harmony.
This approach, necessary in some cases, allows for:
- Preserve natural facial volumes
- Reduce the risk of complications
- Achieve a perfectly natural look
- Minimize postoperative swelling
- Accelerate recovery
The procedure, performed under general anesthesia, lasts 2.5 to 3 hours. Patients particularly appreciate this technique for its respect for their physiognomy. Results gradually refine over 3 to 6 months.
7. Ponytail Facelift
The permanent ponytail effect
The ponytail facelift surgically reproduces the tightening effect naturally achieved when tying hair in a high ponytail, hence its name. This cosmetic surgery procedure creates an oblique pull that:
- Lifts the lateral eyebrows
- Opens up the eyes
- Lifts the cheekbones
- Redefines facial contours
Incisions, hidden in the hair at the temporal and frontal areas, remain completely invisible. The operation can be combined with other treatments: eyelid surgery, lipofilling, neck liposuction, or hyaluronic acid injections.
Performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the extent, the procedure lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. This technique is particularly suitable for young patients seeking a “sculpted” facial effect.
Complementary Aesthetic Medicine Treatments
Facelift surgery can be enhanced with several aesthetic medicine treatments to optimize facial rejuvenation:
Facial Lipofilling
This technique involves reinjecting your own fat to:
- Restore lost volume
- Fill deep wrinkles
- Improve skin quality. Fat is harvested by liposuction from the body, then purified before reinjection.
Hyaluronic acid injections
Hyaluronic acid ideally complements a facelift by:
- Deeply hydrating the skin
- Filling residual wrinkles
- Refining results
These injections can be done during the procedure, but it is recommended to do them a few months after the facelift for optimal results.
Eyelid Surgery
Often associated with a cervico-facial lift, a blepharoplasty operation treats excess skin and under-eye bags, thus complementing overall rejuvenation.
You’ve Decided on your Facelift, What are the Next Steps?
Consultation with your Plastic Surgeon
The first consultation is an essential step not to be overlooked to precisely define your facelift project. The surgeon examines your face and neck to assess skin laxity, skin quality, and areas requiring intervention.
This consultation allows for establishing a personalized treatment plan, including the appropriate facelift technique and any complementary aesthetic medicine treatments.
A detailed quote is provided to you, and a reflection period is observed before the procedure. A second consultation can be scheduled to finalize operative details and answer your remaining questions.
Preparing for the Procedure
A few weeks before your facelift, certain measures are necessary to optimize results. Smoking cessation is imperative to avoid healing problems. Preparatory aesthetic medicine treatments can help prepare your skin for the procedure. A complete preoperative assessment, including blood tests and an anesthesia consultation, is performed.
After the Operation
After the operation, you generally remain under observation for 2 days at our clinic. Swelling, normal in the first few days, gradually decreases. Stitches are removed between 7 and 10 days. Activity resumption is gradual: social life after 2 weeks, sports after 4 to 6 weeks. The final result is appreciated after 3 to 6 months.
Choosing the Right Facelift Technique, for You!
The “right” choice depends on many factors. Your age influences the type of procedure: a mini-facelift may suffice at 45, while a complete cervico-facial lift will be more suitable after 55. The condition of your skin, its quality, and its elasticity also guide the decision.
Your personal goals remain paramount:
- Mild correction → Mini-facelift or MACS-Facelift
- Overall rejuvenation → Deep-plane or SMAS facelift
- Focus on cheekbones → Mid-facelift with lipofilling
- Sculpted look → Ponytail facelift
- Natural approach → Preservation facelift
Recovery constraints also influence the choice. Some techniques allow for a quick return to activities, while others require more time. At Laclinic-Montreux, the quality of our care ensures optimal recovery regardless of the chosen technique.
Criteria for a Successful Facelift at Laclinic-Montreux
We do everything possible to ensure the success of your facelift:
Our team of specialized surgeons in cosmetic surgery masters all cervico-facial lifting techniques, from mini-facelifts to deep-plane facelifts. This versatile expertise allows us to truly personalize each procedure according to your morphology and goals.
Our holistic approach systematically integrates surgery and aesthetic medicine for optimal results. Before your facelift, we offer preoperative treatments at the beauty institute that significantly improve your skin quality and prepare it for your procedure. This meticulous preparation promotes better healing and more lasting results.
Postoperative support is an integral part of our protocol. Our teams closely follow you throughout the entire recovery phase. We provide specific care: lymphatic drainage, LED therapy, and complementary aesthetic medicine treatments. This comprehensive care, within the privileged setting of Montreux, ensures a serene convalescence.
At Laclinic-Montreux, we always prioritize transparency and honesty. During the consultation, we establish realistic goals together. A successful facelift according to our standards makes you look 10 to 15 years younger while preserving your identity.
Our philosophy is to reveal your natural beauty, not to transform it. It is this respectful approach and our recognized expertise that make Laclinic-Montreux a reference in cosmetic surgery in Switzerland and worldwide.
