Face lift

A facelift in Paris is a major cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at correcting skin and muscle slackening associated with aging. Long considered the flagship procedure for facial rejuvenation, facelifts remain popular today despite the development of aesthetic medicine (hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin, thread lifts).

Thanks to modern surgical techniques that are more targeted and better tolerated, facelifts now deliver natural, long-lasting results that preserve facial expressions.

Dr. Christelle Santini, a cosmetic surgeon in Paris, combines different facelift techniques to tailor the procedure to each patient. The goal is to rejuvenate the features without altering the patient's identity or personality, restoring the natural harmony of the face and neck.

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Face lift in Paris | Malar lift, Forehead lift | Plastic surgery | Dr Christelle Santini

Cervico-facial lift

What are the indications for a facelift in Paris?

A facelift is recommended when skin and muscle slackening becomes too severe to be corrected by cosmetic medicine alone. In particular, it can:

  • correct sagging of the facial contours

  • treating jowls and neck sagging

  • lift sagging areas

  • remove excess skin

A facelift acts on both the skin and the deep muscle structures, known as SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system). This approach guarantees longer-lasting and more natural results.

Combining facelifts with other cosmetic procedures

To optimize the results of a facelift in Paris, it is common to combine the procedure with other surgical or medical procedures, performed during the same operation or as a complementary treatment:

These combinations enable a comprehensive and harmonious rejuvenation of the face.

The different techniques of facelifts in Paris

Cervico-facial lift

A cervico-facial lift is the most comprehensive technique. It treats the lower face and neck, correcting sagging jowls, chin, and neck tissue.

Over time, these areas gradually sag. A cervico-facial lift can redefine the contours of the face, tighten the muscles, and remove excess skin. The result is a younger, more rested, and natural-looking face, without altering the features.

The scars are hidden in the hair and around the ears, becoming very discreet after healing.

Midface lift

A mid-face lift mainly targets the cheekbones, lower eyelids, and dark circles under the eyes. It repositions sagging cheekbones and fills in the tear troughs. Scars are located under the eyelashes and in natural wrinkles, making them barely visible.

The temporal lift

A temporal lift corrects sagging of the lateral part of the eyebrow and crow's feet. It tightens the skin on the outer part of the eye without changing its expression. The incision is completely hidden in the hair.

Mini facelift (MACS lift)

A mini facelift, also known as a MACS lift, is recommended for moderate sagging of the face and neck. It results in a shorter scar, faster recovery, and natural-looking results. This technique is suitable for patients whose sagging is still limited.

Personalized care

Every facelift in Paris is a customized procedure. Dr. Christelle Santini adapts the technique based on the clinical examination, aesthetic analysis, and the patient's expectations. Facelifts are not covered by social security, as they are considered cosmetic procedures.

What should you do before a facelift?

The preoperative process includes several essential steps:

  • thorough consultation with the surgeon

  • analysis of indications and contraindications

  • explanation of techniques and scars

  • consultation with the anesthesiologist

  • additional tests if necessary

Certain recommendations must be followed:

  • discontinue medications containing aspirin 10 days prior to the procedure

  • strict fasting 6 hours before the operation

  • quitting smoking one month before and after

  • antiseptic washing of the body and hair on the day of the procedure

How a surgical facelift is performed

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and lasts an average of 2 to 3 hours. The surgeon makes discreet incisions, lifts the skin, tightens the muscle layer, and repositions the sagging tissue. The lift is always natural, respecting the elasticity of the skin and facial expressions.

Postoperative care after a facelift

After a facelift, it is common to see swelling and bruising, which gradually disappear within one to three weeks. A 10- to 15-day recovery period is generally recommended.

You can resume work after about two weeks, but you should avoid sports for a month. Regular post-operative follow-up care is provided at the clinic.

Results of a facelift in Paris

The results of a facelift in Paris are visible gradually, with the final result appearing between 6 and 12 months. The face appears firmer, the features are rested and rejuvenated, with an aesthetic improvement of up to ten years. The scars are discreet and fade over time. However, if they become a source of discomfort for the patient, it is possible to perform UrgoTouch laser to fade them.

Results vary depending on skin quality and lifestyle.

See all the before-and-after pictures
face lift in Paris before and after

Cervico-facial lift

Cervico-facial lift for a 68-year-old patient performed by Dr Santini, plastic surgeon in Paris

Left profile image of a man's face before/after facelift | Dr Santini Paris 16

Cervico-facial lift

Cervico-facial facelift combined with cosmetic surgery of the 4 eyelids and liposuction of the neck in an 82-year-old patient performed by Dr Christelle Santini, Plastic Surgeon in Paris

Right profile image of a woman's face before/after cervicofacial lift | Dr Santini Paris 16

Cervico-facial lift

Cervico-facial facelift combined with cosmetic surgery of the 4 eyelids and liposuction of the neck on a 69-year-old patient performed by Dr Christelle Santini, Plastic Surgeon in Paris

Right profile image of a woman's face before/after cervicofacial lift | Dr Santini Paris 16

Cervico-facial lift

Cervico-facial lift for a 60-year-old patient performed by Dr Santini, plastic surgeon in Paris

Right profile image of a woman's face before/after cervicofacial lift | Dr Santini Paris 16

Cervico-facial lift

Facelift (lower face and neck lift) combined with neck liposuction on a 47-year-old patient performed by Dr Christelle Santini plastic surgeon in Paris

Right profile image of a woman's face before/after facelift | Dr Santini Paris 16

Cervico-facial lift

Cervico-facial facelift combined with cosmetic surgery of the 4 eyelids and liposuction of the neck on a 59-year-old patient performed by Dr Christelle Santini, Plastic Surgeon in Paris

Right profile image of a woman's face before/after cervicofacial lift | Dr Santini Paris 16

Cervico-facial lift

Patient aged 47 who underwent a mini facelift by Dr. Santini, plastic surgeon in Paris

Close-up right profile view of a woman's face before/after facelift | Dr Santini Paris 16

Cervico-facial lift

Cervicofacial lift in a 67-year-old patient associated with inferior blepharoplasty via the subciliary approach.

Right profile image of a woman's face before/after facelift | Dr Santini Paris 16

CERVICO-FACIAL LIFT

Cervico-facial lift combined with cosmetic surgery of the 4 eyelids on a 66-year-old patient performed by Dr Christelle Santini, Plastic Surgeon in Paris.

Facelift: key points

  • one night in hospital

  • 10 to 15 days off work

  • lasting results without freezing expressions

The facelift in a nutshell...

What should you do before undergoing a cervico-facial lift?

Before undergoing a facelift in Paris, several consultations are necessary:

  • 1 to 2 consultations with Dr. Christelle Santini, including a thorough clinical examination and medical photographs

  • a mandatory consultation with the anesthesiologist

  • the provision of a detailed quote, with a legal cooling-off period of 15 days between the initial consultation and the procedure

  • conducting a blood test and additional tests if necessary

These consultations enable us to precisely define the indications for a cervico-facial lift, explain the techniques used, and verify that there are no contraindications.

How is a cervico-facial lift performed?

A cervico-facial lift is performed under general anesthesia.

  • Duration of the procedure: 2 to 3 hours

  • discreet incisions, partially concealed behind the ears and in the hair

  • deep tissue tightening for long-lasting results

  • overnight hospital stay, usually after surgery

This technique effectively treats sagging skin on the face and neck while maintaining a natural result.

How is a facelift performed?

Depending on the facelift technique chosen in Paris (cervico-facial lift, mini-lift, targeted lift), the principles remain similar:

  • general anesthesia

  • procedure lasting an average of 2 to 3 hours

  • scars hidden in natural areas (hair, around the ear)

  • short hospital stay, usually overnight

The technique is tailored to each patient in order to achieve the best possible aesthetic result.

What are the postoperative effects of a cervico-facial lift?

The postoperative effects of a cervico-facial lift are well documented:

  • possible use of a press-lift type compression bandage

  • Follow-up visit to the doctor's office to have the stitches removed approximately 10 days after the procedure.

  • recommended time off work of 10 to 15 days

  • suspension of sports activities for one month

  • return to work generally after 15 days

The final result of a facelift is appreciated gradually, with the final result visible after approximately 6 months.

FAQ

How long does the facelift procedure last?

A facelift generally takes between 2 and 4 hours, but this depends on the type of facelift performed and the extent of the area to be treated. If several areas are involved, such as the neck and cheeks, the procedure may take longer. The surgeon also takes into account the complexity of the adjustments required to achieve natural, harmonious results.

Are there any risks associated with a facelift?

Like all surgical procedures, facelifts entail certain risks. Among the most common are infection, hematomas (accumulations of blood under the skin), and scarring. Finally, smokers and people with underlying medical conditions may be more susceptible to complications, which should be discussed during pre-operative consultations.

Are the results of a facelift permanent?

The results of a facelift are not totally permanent, as the natural aging process continues after the procedure. However, the effects of a facelift are long-lasting, and can improve the appearance of the face for 10 to 15 years. Results vary according to individual factors such as skin quality, lifestyle habits and post-operative care.

At what age can a facelift be considered?

There's no set age for considering a facelift, but the majority of patients are between 40 and 60, when the signs of aging become more visible. That said, facelifts can also be performed on younger patients wishing to correct premature sagging, or on healthy older people, if their skin is still sufficiently elastic.

Does a facelift leave visible scars?

As with any surgical procedure, scars are inevitable, but an experienced surgeon takes care to place them in discreet areas, such as behind the ears or in the hairline. Over time, these scars fade and generally become very inconspicuous.

Dr Christelle Santini

specialist in cosmetic surgery & medicine in paris

  • Over 15 years' experience in cosmetic surgery in Paris.
  • Surgeon qualified by the Collège Français de Chirurgie Plastique et Esthétique, registered with the Conseil de l'Ordre des Médecins in Paris.
  • Member of the French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SoFCPRE).
  • Former Senior Registrar at the Paris Faculty of Medicine.

 

 

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Procedures associated with cervico-facial lifting