A face-lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure to create a younger look on the face. The procedure can reduce sagging skin. It can also help smooth folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline. A face-lift is also called a rhytidectomy.

During a face-lift, a flap of skin on each side of the face is pulled back. Tissues below the skin are altered, and excess skin is removed. This gives the face a more youthful shape.

A neck lift is often done as part of a facelift. It reduces fat and sagging skin on the neck.

A face-lift won’t correct damage from sun exposure, such as fine lines and wrinkles. Other cosmetic procedures can address the look or quality of the skin itself.

Why it’s done

The look and shape of the face change with age. The skin becomes looser and doesn’t snap back as easily. Fat deposits decrease in some areas of the face and increase in others.

A face-lift can address these age-related changes:

• Sagging appearance of the cheeks
• Excess skin at the lower jawline
• Deep skin folds from the sides of the nose to the corner of the mouth
• Sagging skin and excess fat in the neck (if the procedure includes a neck lift)