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Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures

Facelift — Natural Rejuvenation of the Lower Face and Neck

Deep SMAS technique • Natural, lasting result • Senior facial plastic team

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Facial plastic surgeon consulting a patient about facelift surgery at THANC Hospital, Chennai
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This page explains how a facelift is performed at THANC and what recovery looks like. For the full patient guide to facelift types, non-surgical alternatives, cost, and longevity, read: Facelift Surgery in Chennai — Procedure, Cost & Recovery →

About Facelift (Rhytidectomy) at THANC

A facelift (rhytidectomy) lifts and repositions the deeper structural layer of the face — the SMAS — rather than simply tightening skin, restoring a clean jawline, smoother folds, and a defined neck. At THANC Hospital, our facial plastic surgery team performs SMAS and deep-plane facelifts, mini (short-scar) facelifts, and neck lifts, with meticulous protection of the facial nerve. Where volume is depleted, structural fat grafting is added for a balanced, three-dimensional result rather than a pulled appearance.

Who Needs Facelift (Rhytidectomy)?

You may be a candidate if you experience any of the following:

  • Jowls and loss of a clean, defined jawline
  • Deep nasolabial folds and downturned marionette lines
  • Sagging, loose skin and vertical bands in the neck
  • Midface flattening and descent of the cheek fat pads
  • Moderate-to-advanced laxity no longer helped by fillers or energy devices
  • A wish for natural rejuvenation with results that last a decade or more

What to Expect

A clear step-by-step view of your treatment journey at THANC.

  1. 1

    Consultation & Planning

    Assessment of skin quality, soft-tissue descent, and skeletal support, with standardised photographs. Cardiac and blood clearance is arranged, and smoking cessation is confirmed. A plan is chosen — mini, full SMAS, or extended with a neck lift and fat grafting.

  2. 2

    The Surgery

    Performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. The SMAS layer is elevated and resuspended so tension sits on strong tissue, not skin; excess skin is redraped and trimmed. Incisions follow the hairline and natural ear contours. The facial nerve is carefully protected throughout.

  3. 3

    Recovery in Hospital

    A light dressing and any small drains are placed. Most patients stay overnight or are discharged the same day. Tightness and numbness around the ears and jaw are normal and temporary.

  4. 4

    Follow-up & Healing

    Drains come out at 24 to 48 hours and sutures at 5 to 7 days. Bruising settles by 2 to 3 weeks, when most patients return to work. Light exercise resumes at 4 weeks, full activity at 6 weeks; scars mature and fade over 3 to 6 months.

Why Chennai Chooses THANC for Facelift Surgery

A facelift is only as safe as the surgeon's command of facial anatomy. THANC's facial plastic surgery team, working under Dr. Vidhyadharan S, brings careful nerve-safe expertise to deep-plane rejuvenation — natural, lasting results in a super-speciality surgical setting.

  • Deep SMAS and deep-plane technique for natural, durable results
  • Mini, full, and extended facelifts with neck lift where indicated
  • Facial-nerve-safe dissection by a head-and-neck-trained team
  • Structural fat grafting combined for three-dimensional rejuvenation
  • Super-speciality operating suites with dedicated anaesthesiology
  • Written, case-specific estimate prepared after consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a facelift look natural or 'pulled'?
Because we lift the deeper SMAS layer and place tension there rather than on the skin, expression stays natural and scars heal without tension. Where volume is lost, fat grafting restores fullness so the result looks rejuvenated and three-dimensional, not tight or windswept.
How long does a facelift last?
A well-executed SMAS facelift typically lasts 10 to 15 years. It resets your appearance by about a decade; your face then continues to age naturally from that younger baseline, so you always look more refreshed than if you had not had the surgery.
Where are the scars?
Incisions follow the temporal hairline, trace the natural contours of the ear, and pass into the crease behind the ear. Closed without tension, they fade into fine lines that are difficult to see once fully healed.
Can a facelift be combined with eyelid surgery or fat grafting?
Yes, and it commonly is. A facelift rejuvenates the lower two-thirds of the face; blepharoplasty addresses the eyes and fat grafting restores lost volume. Combining them in one sitting gives balanced, whole-face rejuvenation under a single anaesthesia.
Is the facial nerve at risk?
Facial-nerve safety is central to how we operate. Our team dissects in precise anatomical planes that stay superficial to the motor nerve branches — the same anatomical expertise used across THANC's head, neck, and facial nerve surgery.
Will THANC provide a personalised estimate for my case?
Yes. After your consultation, our team prepares a written, case-specific estimate based on whether you need a mini, full, or extended facelift and any combined procedures. THANC's rates are consistently lower than prevailing market rates in Chennai while delivering world-class care.

Related Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures

RhinoplastyBlepharoplastyOtoplastyFacial Fat Grafting

Related Reading

Patient guides and educational articles on related topics.

Facelift Surgery in Chennai — Procedure, Cost & Recovery

Book a Consultation

Talk to our facial plastic surgery team about facelift surgery for your case — we'll assess your facial structure and design a natural, personalised rejuvenation plan.

Book Appointment+91 73977 68795

Book a Consultation

Meet our senior surgeons to discuss Facelift (Rhytidectomy) for your case.

Book Appointment+91 73977 68795

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Facelift (Rhytidectomy) at THANC

  • Deep SMAS and deep-plane technique for natural, durable results
  • Mini, full, and extended facelifts with neck lift where indicated
  • Facial-nerve-safe dissection by a head-and-neck-trained team
  • Structural fat grafting combined for three-dimensional rejuvenation
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