Facelift After 70: What Is Possible at 74, 77 and 80 (Before and After)

9 hours ago

5 min read

Quick answer: Yes, a facelift after 70 is possible and can be safe when general health is good. What matters is not the number on your ID but your heart, blood pressure, medications and skin quality. Older patients often benefit from combining the facelift with a neck lift and fat grafting, and some can be operated on under local anaesthesia. Healing takes a little longer, but the change is often larger than in younger patients.

Key takeaways

There is no fixed upper age limit for a facelift; health is the deciding factor.
Blood pressure, heart health and blood-thinning medicines are checked before surgery.
Thin skin and lost facial volume are common after 70, so fat grafting is often added.
Local anaesthesia with sedation is an option for selected older patients.
Expect most swelling to settle within 2 to 3 weeks and the final result within 3 to 6 months.

Is there an age limit for a facelift?

No. Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas has operated on many patients in their 70s and a physician aged 80. The videos below are among the most watched facelift videos on our YouTube channel: the 74-year-old patient's result has more than 9 million views. People respond to them because they answer a question many older people are afraid to ask: "Am I too old?"

Video: 74-year-old facelift and neck lift, before and 7 days after. Watch on YouTube

The honest answer is that age changes the planning, not the possibility. A healthy 76-year-old can be a better candidate than a 55-year-old with uncontrolled diabetes who smokes.

What is checked before surgery

Heart and blood pressure: an ECG and, when needed, a cardiology opinion. Blood pressure must be well controlled, because high pressure increases the risk of bleeding under the skin.
Medications: blood thinners, some supplements (for example fish oil, ginkgo, vitamin E) and certain anti-inflammatory drugs are adjusted or paused with your doctor's approval.
Blood tests: blood count, clotting, kidney and liver function, blood sugar.
Skin and bone: after 70 the skin is thinner and the facial bones lose volume. This affects how the lift is designed.

How a facelift is different after 70

Older faces usually show three changes at the same time: loose skin, sagging deeper tissue (the SMAS layer) and lost volume. Lifting skin alone gives a pulled look that does not last. The approach used in our clinic repositions the deeper layer, lifts the neck and, when the face is hollow, restores volume with the patient's own fat (fat grafting, with nano fat added to improve skin quality). Incisions are hidden around the ear and in the hairline, so the scars are hard to see once healed; this is what we call a "scarless" facelift, although every facelift leaves fine scars.

Neck lift before and after
Neck lift before and after
Facelift before and after
Facelift before and after

A second facelift at 77

Many older patients had a classic facelift years ago and now see sagging again, sometimes with a visible old scar. A revision facelift can still give a good result. In the video below, a 77-year-old woman with a scar from a previous classic facelift is shown before and 6 days after a scarless revision facelift.

Video: 77-year-old revision facelift after a classic facelift, 6 days after. Watch on YouTube

"I do not operate on an age. I operate on a person. If the body is healthy and the expectations are clear, a facelift in the 70s can be one of the most rewarding operations." — Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas

Local or general anaesthesia?

Both are possible. For selected patients, especially when the operation is limited to the face and neck, local anaesthesia with light sedation avoids the effects of general anaesthesia, so most patients are awake, eating and walking on the same day. The video below shows an 80-year-old physician who had her facelift under local anaesthesia. Read more in our guide to facelift under local anaesthesia.

Video: 80-year-old physician, scarless facelift under local anaesthesia. Watch on YouTube

Recovery after 70

First 48 hours: a light head dressing; rest with the head raised.
Day 6 to 7: stitches are checked; most patients can walk outside comfortably.
Weeks 2 to 3: visible swelling and bruising fade, sometimes slower than in younger patients.
Months 3 to 6: the scars soften and the final contour appears.

Plan to stay in Istanbul for about 7 to 10 days if you travel from abroad. See our guide on how long to stay in Istanbul after a facelift.

Results you can expect

After 70, a facelift will not erase every line, but it can lift the jowls, sharpen the jawline, tighten the neck and soften deep folds. The face looks rested and like a younger version of the same person, not like someone else. Fine wrinkles around the mouth and eyes may need laser or other skin treatments as a complement.

Why patients come to Istanbul

Many older patients travel with a family member. The clinic organises airport transfers, the hotel near the clinic and follow-up visits, so the patient only needs to focus on resting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 75 too old for a facelift?

Not necessarily. If your heart, blood pressure and general health allow surgery, a facelift at 75 can be safe. The decision is based on a medical assessment, not on age alone.

Are the risks higher for older patients?

Some risks, such as bleeding under the skin and slower healing, rise with age and with high blood pressure or blood thinners. Careful preparation and close follow-up reduce these risks.

How long does a facelift last if I have it at 70?

The face keeps ageing, but the lifted position of the deep tissues usually keeps you looking younger than you otherwise would for many years.

Can a neck lift be done at the same time?

Yes. In older patients the neck is almost always part of the plan, because loose neck skin and bands are among the main concerns.

Can I have a second facelift if I had one before?

Yes. A revision facelift can lift tissues again and can improve an old, visible scar in many cases.

About the Author

This article was written and medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas, a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon in Istanbul with over 20 years of experience. He is the author of Rhinoplasty in Practice (CRC Press, 2020), has more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications and five patents, and teaches facelift and rhinoplasty techniques to surgeons at international courses. Read more about Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas.

Individual results vary. Before and after photos and videos are shared with patient consent. This article is for general information and does not replace a personal medical consultation.

See More Before and After Results

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