PROCEDURE GUIDE

Facelift in Toronto, Ontario

Alternative Names : Rhytidectomy, Natural Facelift, Mini-Facelift, Face Lift

Why Facelift?Are you a Good Candidate?Before and after Techniques Types of Facelifts Recovery Potential Risks and Complications Additional Facelift Procedures FAQ

Summary of Facelift Surgery

Cost:

$12,000+ (Mini)
$16,000 – 40,500 (Full)

Surgery Length:

1 – 3.5 Hours

Ask why other doctors take 6-7 Hours to do this procedure

Anesthesia:

Local or General Anesthesia
(See Awake Facelift)

Recovery:

4 – 6 Weeks – Full Activity

Synopsis

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a procedure designed to restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance by tightening sagging skin, redefining facial contours, and smoothing deep wrinkles. Correct loose skin, jowls, deep nasolabial folds, overall facial laxity, and more.

SixSurgery Method

SMAS, Deep Plane Facelift and Awake Facelift Expertise
Hidden Incision Placement
Natural-Looking Results – Precision techniques that lift and refresh without the “overdone” look
Combination Procedures – Can pair with neck lift, fat grafting, or eyelid surgery for complete facial harmony

Why get a facelift surgery?

From Kris Jenner to Jane Fonda, facelifts have long been the go-to procedure for celebrities seeking subtle, graceful rejuvenation — and now, patients around the world are achieving similarly refined results with today’s advanced techniques.

As we age, skin naturally loses elasticity, facial muscles weaken, and the underlying fat that once gave the face its youthful contour begins to diminish. This often leads to sagging skin, jowls, and deep wrinkles, particularly in the lower face and neck.

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure designed to lift and tighten loose skin, reposition underlying muscles, and restore more youthful facial contours. By redraping the skin and refining the structure beneath it, a facelift creates a smoother, firmer, and naturally refreshed appearance.

Repositioning of facial fat

As we age, facial fat begins to shift downward due to gravity and loss of support from underlying structures. This can lead to hollow cheeks, deep folds, and a tired appearance. Repositioning facial fat during a facelift restores volume to areas like the midface and cheekbones, helping to recreate youthful facial contours.

Rather than simply removing fat, modern facelift techniques lift and reposition the existing fat pads to where they naturally sat in youth — resulting in a fuller, smoother, and more balanced facial profile without the need for fillers or implants.

Removal of wrinkles

A facelift can effectively smooth and soften deep wrinkles, including smile lines, marionette lines, and creases around the mouth and chin.

While a facelift does not erase every wrinkle, it dramatically softens deep creases, especially in the lower face, such as the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and neck bands. The result is smoother, firmer skin and a more youthful, refreshed appearance.

Tightening loose skin

Over time, skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag -particularly along the jawline, cheeks, and neck. During a facelift, excess, loose skin is carefully removed, allowing the remaining skin to be redraped smoothly and securely over the newly tightened facial structure.

Are You a Good Candidate?

At SixSurgery, we’re proud to be home to one of Toronto’s top facelift surgeons, known for delivering natural, refined results. A facelift is a popular procedure for those looking to rejuvenate their appearance, minimize visible signs of aging, and restore youthful facial contours.

While the ideal age for a facelift can vary based on genetics, lifestyle, and personal goals, most patients begin considering the procedure in their late 40s to 60s and beyond — when skin laxity, deep wrinkles, and facial volume loss become more noticeable.

Have loose or sagging skin around the lower face, jawline, or neck

Notice deep wrinkles, nasolabial folds, or jowls that make you look older or tired

Drooping facial fat, creating exaggerated jowls

Excess fat and sagging skin on the neck, causing double chin or “turkey neck”

Are in good overall health and do not smoke

Have realistic expectations about the outcomes of surgery

Good Health

To be considered for a facelift, you should be in good overall health and free from serious medical conditions. Being medically stable supports proper healing and minimizes risks during your recovery.

Expectations

Having clear and realistic goals is essential. A facelift can help you look like a refreshed, more youthful version of yourself — not an entirely different person. Your consultation will help determine what’s achievable for your unique features.

Skin Condition

Ideal candidates have skin with some natural elasticity. A facelift lifts sagging areas and smooths deep wrinkles, and healthy skin is key to achieving a natural, not overly pulled position.

Bone Structure

A strong underlying bone structure provides essential support for facelift outcomes. Defined features in the cheeks, jawline, and chin help enhance and maintain long-term results.

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Facelift Before and After’s

Deep Facelift

Involves tightening the muscle layer deep beneath the skin. This is a more involved procedure that requires longer recovery.

Neck Lift

Is a procedure that helps to address skin redundancy or deformity and involves an incision that is placed behind the ear and usually beneath the chin.

Mini Facelift

For patients that have only a small amount of skin laxity and require a more subtle change. This procedure is often done on patients to refresh a previous facelift.

How the Surgery is Performed

Facelift surgery is performed under either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your medical history and your surgical plan. Local numbing medication is also used to ensure minimal discomfort as you wake from surgery.

Incisions are carefully placed around and behind the ears, discreetly following the natural contours of the hairline. The skin of the lower face and neck is gently lifted, and liposuction or fat grafting may be performed to enhance definition and restore youthful volume.

The underlying muscle layer (SMAS) is then tightened and repositioned, which is key to achieving long-lasting, natural-looking results. Excess skin is trimmed and meticulously sutured for a seamless finish.

Thanks to strategic incision placement—within natural folds and creases—the resulting scars are well concealed and fade beautifully over time.

Facelift Types

SMAS -Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System: The SixSurgery Favorite (for some)

At SixSurgery, we specialize in the SMAS facelift, a refined surgical technique that allows for natural-looking, long-lasting results with less invasiveness than traditional deep-plane facelifts.

The SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) is a key structural layer beneath the skin that supports facial contours. In a SMAS facelift, the skin and SMAS layer are lifted and repositioned separately, allowing for more precise control over tension and direction. This results in a smoother, more balanced outcome; without the overly tight or “pulled” appearance.

While deep-plane facelifts lift the skin and SMAS together, they can involve more dissection and downtime.

In fact, in a well-known twin study, one twin underwent a deep-plane facelift while the other had a more superficial SMAS facelift — and after 10 years, both had nearly identical results. Interestingly, even the surgeon who originally pioneered the deep-plane technique no longer uses it.

At SixSurgery, we incorporate the most trusted and proven facelift methods, including:
   • The technique developed by Dr. Dan Baker, world-renowned for his natural facelift outcomes
   • The “3-day facelift” method pioneered by Dr. Harold Silver, known for its rapid recovery and minimal downtime
   • The High SMAS technique taught by Dr. Tim Marten, a global authority on advanced facial rejuvenation

Our approach combines decades of surgical innovation with individualized planning to give every patient a refreshed, lifted appearance that still looks like you — just more youthful.

Deep plane facelift

This technique lifts the skin and underlying tissues as a single unit. While it can offer dramatic results, it’s more invasive and often associated with longer recovery times and higher risk of complications. At SixSurgery, we focus on less invasive alternatives that achieve comparable results with less downtime.

Mini facelift

Ideal for younger patients or those with early signs of aging, the mini facelift targets mild sagging around the jawline and lower face. It involves smaller incisions, a quicker recovery, and is often used as a maintenance or touch-up procedure.

Mid-facelift

Focused on the cheeks and under-eye area, the mid-facelift lifts sagging skin and repositions fat pads to restore youthful volume and contour. It’s often combined with other procedures like lower eyelid surgery or fat grafting.

Short scar or MACS lift

The High SMAS facelift targets more vertical lifting in the midface, often for patients needing cheek elevation. The MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) Lift is a less invasive version that uses shorter incisions and is best for moderate aging concerns.

Each technique has its own strengths and is chosen based on your facial anatomy, skin quality, and desired results. The most important factor? Choosing a skilled, board-certified surgeon whose results align with your aesthetic goals.

Toronto’s Natural Facelift Technique

Our team offers a range of advanced facelift techniques tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals.

Over the past few decades, aesthetic surgery has shifted away from simply tightening skin and toward a deeper understanding of the true causes of facial aging; including changes in muscle tone and fat distribution. This evolution has led to more natural, longer-lasting results.

Rather than pulling skin tightly, our focus is on repositioning the underlying muscular structure for a more natural look. Specifically, we use a minimally invasive technique that targets the Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS), the fibrous layer beneath the skin responsible for facial expression and support. By lifting and re-anchoring the SMAS, we can restore natural volume, contour the jawline, and smooth deep creases, all while keeping incisions discreet and recovery time manageable.

Facelift Recovery

Post-Surgery

After your facelift, a loose-fitting bandage will be applied to support the healing process. Swelling and bruising around the face and neck are expected and should begin to subside within 7 to 10 days.

Pain

Most patients find that discomfort is minimal and easily managed. In many cases, only over-the-counter pain medication is needed, though prescription options are available if required.

After Care

To support healing, you'll need to keep your head elevated and avoid strenuous activities for 2 to 3 weeks. Ensure you have all the necessary Post-Surgery Facelift Recovery Supplies and Products for optimal results.

Night 1

You have the option to spend the first night after your surgery in one of the luxuriously appointed rooms at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (additional fee applies). The following morning, a member of the SixSurgery team will visit you in your suite to check on your recovery before you're discharged home. This private, in-room follow-up provides a safer, more comfortable experience and eliminates the stress of returning to the clinic immediately after surgery, ensuring a smoother, more convenient recovery process.

Follow-Ups

Your recovery will be closely monitored through regular follow-up visits. These check-ins allow your surgeon to assess healing progress and ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.

Procedures Commonly Performed Alongside a Facelift

A facelift is often combined with the following enhancement procedures for a full facial rejuvenation:

Blepharoplasty - Eyelid Surgery: Most Common

Eyelid surgery is the most common procedure to be combined with a facelift. In fact, these procedures are performed together more often than not. This removes excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids to reduce puffiness, lift drooping lids, and refresh tired-looking eyes.

There are two types of blepharoplasty surgeries. Depending on your needs and goals, you may need one or both performed

Upper Blepharoplasty

Lower Blepharoplasty

Platysmaplasty - Neck lift

A neck lift targets visible signs of aging below the chin and along the jawline by tightening underlying muscles, removing excess skin, and restoring a smoother, more defined neck and jaw contour.

Eyebrow Lift

If you’re noticing that your brows appear heavy, sagging, or give your face a tired expression, a brow lift can help reverse these signs of aging. Also known as a forehead lift or browplasty, this procedure smooths forehead wrinkles, elevates the brows, and restores a more youthful, refreshed appearance.

A brow lift can also correct asymmetry and redefine the natural arch of the brow. It is often performed in combination with upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), as low-set or drooping brows commonly contribute to the appearance of hooded or sagging eyelids.

Potential Risk & Complications

All surgical procedures, including facelifts, carry potential risks and complications that should be carefully considered before moving forward. It’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the likelihood and severity of any associated risks, and to make an informed decision based on your personal goals, health status, and the guidance of your surgical team.

Here are some of the more common and more relevant risks to be aware of when considering this surgery:

Facelift
FAQs

Would I benefit more from a regular facelift or mid facelift?Who is a good candidate for a facelift?What are the different types of facelift surgery?What type of facelift is best?How long does the procedure take?Why do other surgeons take 6-8 hours to do this procedure?Do I need a “mini” or a “traditional” facelift?Can I have other procedures in combination with a facelift?Is there any preparation needed before the surgery?What type of scarring can I expect?If I plan on losing weight, should I do this before the surgery Will Facelift results be permanent?Are there any risks associated with facelift surgery?How much are facelifts? What are the cost of facelifts?How will I look different with a facelift?Should I do another procedure with my facelift? If not, how should I prioritize?What is the difference between facelifts, upper and lower facelifts, mini-lifts, and neck lifts?

Facelift FAQs

Would I benefit more from a regular facelift or midfacelift?

That depends on the areas you'd like to improve. If you're bothered by hollow cheeks or wrinkles beneath the eyes, a mid-facelift may be ideal. If you also have loose skin around the jawline or neck, a full facelift, or a combination of both, may provide more complete rejuvenation. During your consultation, the SixSurgery team will assess your facial structure and skin quality to determine which option is best for you.

Who is a good candidate for a facelift?

Anyone experiencing sagging facial or neck skin, deep wrinkles, or loss of contour due to aging may benefit. There is no strict age requirement — candidacy depends more on your facial anatomy, skin elasticity, and overall health.

What are the different types of facelift surgery?

There are many different types, including deep facelift surgery, S-lift, mini facelift, SMASfacelift(s), traditional facelift, mid-facelift and others. Each has its own recovery times and isusually decided by the surgeon.

What type of facelift is best?

The vast array of facelift techniques can be bewildering: deep plane, high SMAS, short scar,skin only, MACS lift, SMASectomy and the list goes on. The debate between a “Deep” faceliftand a “Skin Only” facelift has been going on for years. Both can create beautiful results. Deepfacelifts take a lot longer to heal and patients remain swollen for a longer time. A twin studywhere one twin had a deep plane facelift and the other twin had simpler facelift demonstrated that at two years after the surgery there was no visible difference between the quality of results.

It is more important for you to find the right surgeon than for you to try and decide withtechnique is “best.” Look at the results of facelifts done by a surgeon, regardless of thetechnique used. If you like the results, you’re on the road to finding the results you are lookingfor.

SixSurgery intends to make patients look younger and more refreshed through minimallyinvasive superficial procedures rather than deep plane procedures. We find that these resultshave generate beautiful results for our patients while decreasing the downtime andsignificantly lowering the risk of complications.

How long does the procedure take?

A standard facelift takes 2 to 3 hours. If combined with other procedures like eyelid surgery or a brow lift, the surgery may take up to 4 hours.

Why do other surgeons take 6-8 hours to do this procedure?

It often comes down to technique. (some techniques take much longer than others) and on the surgeon’s comfort with the procedure.

Older deep-plane methods require slower, more meticulous dissection to avoid nerve injury. At SixSurgery, we use refined, nerve-safe techniques that do not require exposing the facial nerve, which results in shorter surgical time, lower complication risk, and a faster recovery.

Do I need a “mini” or a “traditional” facelift?

A mini facelift is ideal for younger patients with mild to moderate sagging in the lower face. A traditional facelift offers more comprehensive correction, addressing the neck, jowls, and midface.

Can I have other procedures in combination with a facelift?

Yes. Facelifts are often combined with:
   • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to address drooping eyelids or under-eye bags
   • Brow lift to elevate the forehead and open the eye area
   • Neck lift, fat grafting, or lip lift for full facial rejuvenation  Your surgeon will recommend the ideal combination for natural, balanced results.

Is there any preparation needed before the surgery?

   • Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery
   • Avoid aspirin or blood-thinning medications
   • Discuss your full medication list with your surgeon
   • Ensure you’ve arranged transportation and post-op support

What type of scarring can I expect?

While all surgeries result in some scarring, the SixSurgery team is known for producing minimal, nearly invisible scars. We take care to place incisions in the most concealed areas possible, and provide detailed post-op scar care guidance.

If I plan on losing weight, should I do this before the surgery

If you plan to lose more than 30 pounds, it's best to reach and maintain your goal weight before surgery. Small weight fluctuations aren’t typically an issue, but significant weight loss after your procedure could alter your results.

Will Facelift results be permanent?

A facelift can turn back the clock, but it doesn’t stop the natural aging process. Most results last 7–10 years or more, especially with a healthy lifestyle. Think of it as setting a new, younger baseline for aging — you'll still age, but you'll look significantly more refreshed for years to come.

Are there any risks associated with facelift surgery?

As with all cosmetic surgeries, there are some risks involved. These risks include bleeding,infection, swelling, scar irregularities and blood clots, but they are rare. Our operating suite isstate-of-the-art, and we do everything we can to minimize the risks associated with surgery.Most importantly, the SixSurgery team has various protocols in place to prevent complications from occurring.

Generally though, Facelifts are safe if performed by a well-trained Plastic Surgeon. Like anysurgery, facelift procedures carry some risks. Infection, bleeding, and abnormal scarring canoccur but these are not common. Nerve injury is rare and usually temporary. Healing is usually uneventful unless a you are a smoker.

The incidence of these risks relate closely to the surgeon’s skills. However, these remain smallbut real risks even in the best surgeon’s operating room.

How much are facelifts? What are the cost of facelifts?

Facelifts are $16 000 – $40 500+ with us. This ranges case by case. Please see facelift feespage for more information.

For mini facelifts, they start at $12 000+.

How will I look different with a facelift?

Most patients look refreshed. A good facelift is one where the patients looks younger, not“operated on” as if nothing has been done beyond rest and relaxation. If you need anexplanation… just say you came back from two weeks in a tropical paradise.

Should I do another procedure with my facelift? If not, how should I prioritize?

Combining procedures, such as a facelift with rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, or fat grafting—can be both safe and effective when performed by an experienced surgical team. In many cases, combining surgeries allows for a more balanced, harmonious result, a single recovery period, and greater overall transformation.

However, whether or not procedures should be performed together depends on:
   • Your overall health and ability to undergo longer anesthesia
   • The extent and complexity of each procedure
   • Whether your goals can be safely and effectively addressed at the same time

If you're not combining them, your facelift should typically be prioritized first, as it sets the foundation for facial rejuvenation. Additional refinements (like rhinoplasty or fillers) can be done later to complement the results.

During your consultation, the SixSurgery team will evaluate your goals and facial anatomy to recommend the safest and most effective treatment plan, whether that's staged or combined.

What is the difference between facelifts, upper and lower facelifts, mini-lifts, and neck lifts?

When plastic surgeons talk about a facelift, we’re typically referring to a procedure that rejuvenates the cheeks, jowls, and neck. This involves incisions placed carefully in front of and behind the ears, allowing the skin and underlying tissues to be lifted and repositioned for a more youthful contour.

A neck lift specifically targets loose or sagging skin beneath the chin and along the neck. This procedure usually involves an incision behind the ear and sometimes a small one under the chin, depending on the degree of correction needed.

A mini facelift is best suited for patients with milder signs of aging, especially in the lower face. It's often chosen as a refresher procedure for those who’ve previously had a full facelift or are looking for a less invasive option.

Some surgeons may refer to “upper and lower facelifts”—this terminology is another way of describing the full facelift procedure, encompassing both the midface (cheeks) and lower face/neck in a single surgery.