A facelift is a surgical procedure. As such, it carries certain risks, ranging from minor to severe, that the patient assumes when they agree to the operation. What are these risks?
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What are the risks of a facelift?
Summary
Published May 14, 2025,
updated on May 15, 2025,
by
Lilia, Scientific Editor
—
5 min read
Focus on the facelift.
A lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at firming and rejuvenating the skin. It is performed exclusively by a qualified plastic surgeon, assisted by a competent medical team, in a suitable medical environment. The procedure relies on precise techniques to remove excess skin and fat responsible for skin sagging. There are different types of lifts depending on the body area involved: facial lift, including the forehead, eyelids, jowls, lips, chin, and neck, but also arms, breasts with mammoplasty, abdomen with abdominoplasty, buttocks, or thighs with cruroplasty.
Despite some variations depending on the area being treated, the surgical protocol remains largely the same: anesthesia is first administered, followed by incisions, then a separation of the skin to access the underlying tissues. The surgeon then proceeds to excise excess skin and fat, sometimes with the help of liposuction. The tissues are then tightened to achieve the lifted effect, then the skin is sutured and protected by a dressing. Prior to any procedure, a preoperative consultation is essential. It allows the surgeon to explain the course of the operation and the patient to provide essential medical information such as health history, allergies, or any ongoing treatment. After evaluating these elements and conducting medical examinations, the surgeon determines if the operation can be safely considered.
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The risks of a facelift.
Although the facelift is a surgical procedure aimed at aesthetic enhancement with very few risks, some may arise as with any medical intervention. These risks should be clearly outlined by the surgeon during the preoperative consultation. Generally, we distinguish between two types of risks: minor risks and major risks.
Minor risks are the most common and the least concerning. They are temporary, disappearing within a few days, sometimes even within a few hours, and include symptoms such as bruising, swelling, moderate pain, numbness, or itching. Major risks, on the other hand, are rare but potentially serious. They can include surgical complications such as a reaction to anesthesia, infections, or the formation of blood clots. Other risks include allergic reactions to medications or materials used, a loss of sensation, temporary or permanent in the operated area, abnormal healing, excessive bleeding, or even skin necrosis, which is the death of tissues due to poor blood circulation.
Alongside these medical risks, the possibility of unsatisfactory results should not be overlooked. Even if the surgeon provides a simulation or an estimate of the final outcome, the result may be disappointing. Facial asymmetry, an unsightly scar, or an appearance that does not meet the patient's expectations can occur. Therefore, it is essential to mentally prepare for these possibilities before committing to such a procedure.
Sources
BONNEFON A. & al. [The face lift, a light, efficient and long lasting operation]. Annales de chirurgie plastiques et esthétiques (2011).
BALDI A. & al. Outcomes in Thread Lift for Facial Rejuvenation: a Study Performed with Happy Lift™ Revitalizing. Dermatology and Therapy (2014).
BURDORF A. & al. The effect of lifting during work on low back pain: a health impact assessment based on a meta-analysis. Occupational and environmental medicine (2014).
CROTEAU A. Occupational lifting and adverse pregnancy outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2020).
ZINS J. E. & al. How to Prevent and Treat Complications in Facelift Surgery, Part 1: Short-Term Complications. Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2021).
Andersen L.L. & al. Duration and intensity of occupational lifting and risk of long-term sickness absence: Prospective cohort study with register follow-up among 45 000 workers. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health (2023).
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