A youthful face is characterized by smooth skin, defined jawlines, high cheek volume, and a well-contoured neck. As we age, the effects of gravity, sun exposure, volume loss, and weakening facial support structures gradually lead to sagging skin, jowls, deep folds, and neck laxity.
A facelift and neck lift are among the most effective procedures available for reversing visible signs of facial aging. Unlike non-surgical treatments that primarily improve skin quality or provide temporary lifting, facelift surgery addresses the deeper structural causes of aging to produce long-lasting and natural-looking rejuvenation.
At NEU Advanced Aesthetics Center in Makati, Dr. Al Farabi Jaafar performs personalized facelift and neck lift procedures designed to restore youthful contours while preserving natural facial expressions and ethnic identity.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that lifts and repositions the deeper facial tissues and removes excess skin to restore a younger facial appearance.
A facelift can improve:
✅ Sagging cheeks
✅ Deep nasolabial folds
✅ Marionette lines
✅ Jowls along the jawline
✅ Loss of facial definition
✅ Loose skin of the lower face
Contrary to popular belief, a modern facelift does not simply pull the skin tighter. The deeper support layer of the face known as the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) is repositioned to create natural and longer-lasting results.
A neck lift is often performed together with a facelift and addresses:
✅ Loose neck skin
✅ Turkey neck deformity
✅ Vertical neck bands
✅ Double chin
✅ Loss of jawline definition
✅ Excess neck fat
A neck lift restores a smoother transition between the face and neck, creating a sharper and more youthful profile.
Facial aging occurs through several mechanisms:
1. Skin Laxity
Collagen and elastin decline with age, causing skin to become thinner and less elastic.
2. Volume Loss
Fat compartments of the face shrink and descend, creating hollow areas and sagging.
3. Gravity
Soft tissues gradually descend downward, contributing to jowls and neck laxity.
4. Muscle Changes
Neck muscles become more prominent and can create visible vertical bands.
5. Bone Remodeling
Facial skeletal support diminishes with age, contributing to facial collapse and loss of youthful contours.
Best for:
Early signs of aging
Mild jowls
Younger patients
Benefits:
✓ Smaller incisions
✓ Faster recovery
✓ Less downtime
Best for:
Moderate facial aging
Visible jowls
Deep folds
Neck laxity
Benefits:
✓ Comprehensive rejuvenation
✓ Long-lasting results
✓ Natural appearance
Best for:
Significant facial aging
Advanced tissue descent
Benefits:
✓ Powerful lifting effect
✓ Improved midface elevation
✓ Longer-lasting outcomes
Depending on anatomy, neck rejuvenation may include:
Neck Liposuction
For:
Excess fat under the chin
Mild skin laxity
Platysmaplasty
For:
Neck bands
Muscle separation
The neck muscles are tightened to create a smoother contour.
Skin Redraping
For:
Significant loose skin
Excess skin is removed and repositioned.
Facelift and neck lift procedures may be performed under:
Intravenous sedation
General anesthesia
Mini Facelift: 2–3 hours
Facelift: 3–5 hours
Neck Lift: 2–4 hours
Combined Facelift & Neck Lift: 4–6 hours
Most patients return home on the same day or after an overnight observation period.
Modern facelift incisions are carefully hidden.
Facelift Incisions
Neck Lift Incisions
May include:
Under the chin
Behind the ears
These locations allow excellent access while minimizing visible scarring.
Facial Benefits
✓ Younger appearance
✓ Better facial proportions
✓ Reduced jowls
✓ Elevated cheeks
✓ Improved jawline definition
✓ Softer facial folds
Neck Benefits
✓ Tighter neck contour
✓ Reduced double chin
✓ Elimination of neck bands
✓ Improved side profile
Psychological Benefits
✓ Increased confidence
✓ Refreshed appearance
✓ Looking as energetic as you feel
First Week
Expected:
✓ Swelling
✓ Bruising
✓ Mild tightness
✓ Temporary numbness
Patients should rest with the head elevated.
Week 2
✓ Majority of bruising improves
✓ Sutures removed
✓ Return to social activities
Many patients feel comfortable appearing in public.
Weeks 3–6
✓ Swelling significantly decreases
✓ Facial contours become more refined
✓ Exercise gradually resumed
Months 3–6
✓ Scars continue to mature
✓ Final results become more evident
✓ Natural appearance fully develops
Two Weeks Before Surgery
Avoid:
❌ Smoking
❌ Nicotine products
❌ Aspirin
❌ Ibuprofen
❌ Herbal supplements that increase bleeding
Maintain:
✓ Proper hydration
✓ Good nutrition
✓ Stable medical conditions
Patients with hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, or heart conditions should obtain appropriate medical clearance when indicated.
Do's
✓ Sleep with head elevated
✓ Take prescribed medications
✓ Wear compression garment if instructed
✓ Attend follow-up appointments
✓ Walk regularly
Avoid
❌ Heavy lifting
❌ Strenuous exercise
❌ Alcohol
❌ Smoking
❌ Direct sun exposure
❌ Facial massage unless approved
Will I look unnatural?
A properly performed facelift should make you look younger and refreshed, not different. The goal is rejuvenation, not alteration.
How long do facelift results last?
Most patients enjoy results for 10–15 years. Although aging continues, patients typically continue to look younger than if they had never undergone surgery.
Will scars be visible?
Facelift scars are strategically hidden within the hairline and natural contours around the ears. They typically become difficult to notice after healing.
At what age should I consider a facelift?
Most facelift patients are between 40 and 70 years old, but suitability depends more on facial aging than chronological age.
Can a facelift remove wrinkles?
A facelift improves sagging tissues and deep folds but does not eliminate all fine wrinkles. Additional treatments such as laser resurfacing, skin tightening, Botox, or fillers may be recommended.
Can a neck lift be performed without a facelift?
Yes. Patients whose primary concern is neck aging may benefit from an isolated neck lift procedure.
What is the best age for facelift surgery?
There is no ideal age. The best time is when facial aging becomes noticeable enough that non-surgical treatments no longer provide satisfactory improvement.
Treatment Improves Sagging Improves Jowls Longevity
Botox No No 3–4 months
Fillers Limited Limited 12–24 months
Threads Mild Mild 6–18 months
Energy Devices Mild Mild Variable
Facelift Excellent Excellent 10–15 years
Dr. Al Farabi Jaafar combines surgical precision with a deep understanding of facial aesthetics and Asian anatomy. His philosophy emphasizes natural rejuvenation, restoring youthful facial contours while preserving each patient's unique features and expression.
Every facelift and neck lift procedure is customized according to the patient's anatomy, degree of aging, skin quality, and aesthetic goals. The objective is not to create an artificial or overly tight appearance, but rather to help patients look refreshed, youthful, and confident.
At NEU Advanced Aesthetics Center in Makati, patients receive comprehensive consultation, individualized treatment planning, meticulous surgical care, and close post-operative follow-up to ensure optimal results and safety.
Schedule Your Consultation
If sagging skin, jowls, deep facial folds, or neck laxity are making you look older than you feel, a facelift and neck lift may provide the long-lasting rejuvenation you seek.
Book a consultation with Dr. Al Farabi Jaafar today and discover how modern facial rejuvenation surgery can restore a naturally youthful appearance.