Facelift in Dubai

Facial ageing is influenced by several factors, including genetics, lifestyle, sun exposure, skin quality, and natural changes in facial tissues.

Patients commonly notice:

• Sagging cheeks Loss of jawline definition
• Deepening nasolabial folds
• Jowls Loose skin around the lower face and neck
• Changes in facial volume
• Reduced skin elasticity

Every face ages differently. For this reason, treatment recommendations are always based on an individual clinical assessment rather than age alone.

A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance of the lower face and jawline by repositioning deeper facial tissues and addressing excess skin where appropriate.

Modern facelift surgery is based on restoring natural facial support rather than simply tightening the skin. The objective is to create balanced facial contours while maintaining natural facial movement and expression.

Depending on individual anatomy and treatment goals, facelift surgery may be combined with complementary facial procedures such as Neck Lift, Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery), or Fat Transfer, where clinically appropriate.

During your consultation, your surgeon will explain the available surgical techniques, expected recovery, potential benefits, and possible risks associated with treatment.

«Facelift» is not one operation. The term covers a group of techniques that differ in how deep the surgeon works beneath the skin, how much of the face is addressed and where the incisions are placed. The technique is selected during the consultation on the basis of your facial anatomy, the degree of tissue descent, skin quality and your treatment goals — it is a clinical decision, not an item chosen from a menu in advance.

SMAS facelift

The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is the fibrous layer that sits between the skin and the facial muscles. In a SMAS facelift the surgeon repositions this layer rather than pulling on the skin alone. Because the tension is carried by the deeper tissue, the skin is closed without strain. This is the most frequently performed approach where there is moderate descent along the cheeks and jawline.

Deep plane facelift

The deep plane technique releases the retaining ligaments that anchor the mid-face and lifts the SMAS together with the overlying skin as a single unit. It is generally considered where there is pronounced descent of the mid-face and deepening of the nasolabial folds. It involves a more extensive dissection than a SMAS lift and is not appropriate for every patient; suitability is assessed clinically.

Mini facelift (short-scar lift)

A mini facelift uses shorter incisions, usually limited to the area around the ear, and addresses the lower cheeks and the jawline. It may suit patients with early or limited laxity. It does not treat the neck to the same extent as a full facelift, and this limitation is explained at the consultation so that the choice is made with realistic expectations.

Mid-face lift

A mid-face lift concentrates on the cheek area and the tissues immediately below the lower eyelid. It is often planned together with blepharoplasty when the eyelids are also a concern, so that the transition between the eyelid and the cheek is treated as one aesthetic unit.

Neck lift

Loss of the jawline angle and sagging beneath the chin are frequently the reason patients seek surgery in the first place. A neck lift (platysmaplasty) tightens the platysma muscle and may be combined with liposuction of the submental area. In many cases the neck is treated in the same session as the face, because lifting the face alone can leave a visible mismatch between the two.

When surgery may not be the first step

If the main concern is skin texture, volume loss or fine lines rather than descent of the tissues, non-surgical options such as injectable contouring or PDO thread lifting may be discussed instead. These are different treatments with different indications and duration. They are not a substitute for surgery where laxity is significant, and a facelift does not replace them where the underlying issue is volume or skin quality. Individual results vary in every case.

Facelift surgery may be appropriate for individuals who wish to:

• Improve facial definition
• Address sagging skin of the lower face Improve jawline contour
• Reduce the appearance of jowls
• Improve neck definition when combined with appropriate procedures
• Restore a more refreshed facial appearance
• Maintain natural facial harmony while addressing visible signs of ageing 

The decision to undergo facelift surgery is highly personal. A comprehensive consultation helps determine whether surgery is appropriate for your individual anatomy and expectations.

• Preparation is an important part of successful surgical planning

Before surgery, your consultation may include:

• Review of your medical history
• Clinical facial assessment
• Medication review
• Lifestyle recommendations where appropriate
• Discussion of pre-operative investigations if required
• Recovery planning and post-operative guidance

Your surgeon will provide personalised instructions before surgery to help you prepare for the procedure and recovery period.

Recovery following facelift surgery varies depending on the surgical technique performed and individual healing characteristics.

Temporary swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are expected during the early stages of healing. These changes gradually improve over time as recovery progresses.

Detailed post-operative instructions will be provided before and after surgery, including guidance regarding wound care, physical activity, follow-up appointments, and the recovery process. Most patients gradually return to normal daily activities according to their personalised recovery plan. Final improvements continue to develop as healing progresses.

Regular follow-up appointments allow your surgeon to monitor recovery and answer any questions throughout the healing process. Have questions about recovery? Our patient care team is available via WhatsApp, or you can schedule a consultation online to receive personalised information before making your decision.

A facelift is a surgical procedure performed under anaesthesia and it carries risks that you should understand before giving consent. Your surgeon and anaesthesiologist will go through these with you in detail, and they are set out in the consent documentation you sign.

Smoking slows healing. Patients are asked to stop smoking well before the operation and throughout the recovery period.

Surgery may be postponed or declined where there is uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, a bleeding disorder or anticoagulant therapy that cannot be safely interrupted, active infection in the operating field, significant cardiac or respiratory disease, or where the outcome the patient is seeking cannot be achieved surgically. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications.

What surgery does not do. A facelift repositions tissue. It does not halt the ageing process, which continues afterwards; it does not change skin quality, sun damage or pigmentation; and it does not lift the brow or the eyelids, which are treated by separate procedures. Individual results vary and no specific outcome can be promised.

Facelift from AED 50,000. Neck lift from AED 25,000. The final price is confirmed in writing after the surgical consultation and depends on the technique and the extent of the correction.

A facelift is quoted individually. The figure depends on the technique, on whether the neck or the eyelids are treated in the same session, on the length of the operation, on the type of anaesthesia and on the level of post-operative care required. For that reason ELEMENTAL does not publish a single price for the surgery itself — you receive a written quotation after the surgical consultation, before you commit to anything.

Consultation fees start from AED 600. The fee depends on the DHA grade of the doctor you see: General Practitioner AED 600, Specialist AED 680, Consultant AED 750. A facelift consultation is with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and is currently AED 680 (Consultant Plastic Surgeon: from AED 750). Prices are current as of 11 August 2026 and may change; the fee applicable to your appointment is confirmed when you book.

The written quotation covers the surgeon’s fee, anaesthesia, use of the operating theatre and the scheduled follow-up visits. Pre-operative laboratory tests, medication and compression garments where required are itemised separately, so that you can see what each element costs.

Aesthetic surgery at ELEMENTAL is currently on a self-pay basis. Cosmetic procedures are in any case generally excluded from medical insurance cover in the UAE; where a procedure has a documented medical indication, the paperwork needed for a claim is discussed at the consultation.

A consultation and clinical assessment are required before any procedure can be planned, and individual results vary. ELEMENTAL Day Surgical Center, Jumeirah 1, Dubai. DHA licence 5323888.

At Elemental Day Surgical Center, patient care is centred on safety, personalised treatment planning, and adherence to clinical protocols.

Every facelift procedure is planned individually, taking into consideration facial anatomy, skin quality, lifestyle, and treatment objectives.

Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive consultation and facial assessment
• Personalised surgical planning
• Modern surgical facilities
• International standards of patient safety
• Individualised post-operative follow-up
• Multidisciplinary patient care
• Clear communication throughout every stage of treatment

We believe that facial rejuvenation should enhance your natural appearance rather than change your identity.

Schedule Your Consultation

Choosing facelift surgery is a personal decision that should begin with a professional consultation.

During your appointment, your surgeon will evaluate your facial anatomy, discuss your concerns and aesthetic goals, explain the available treatment options, and answer your questions. This consultation allows you to make an informed decision based on your individual needs and realistic expectations. To arrange your personalised consultation, contact Elemental Day Surgical Center via WhatsApp or use our secure online appointment booking system. Our patient care team will be pleased to help you schedule a convenient appointment and guide you through the next steps.

At ELEMENTAL this treatment is carried out by Dr. Tarek Rashed, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, and the ELEMENTAL plastic surgery team.

Not every softening jawline needs a facelift. Where the skin has loosened but there is no true excess, minimally invasive radiofrequency contraction may be enough — see FaceTite; where the concern is skin quality rather than laxity, Morpheus8 or HIFU Ultraformer MPT. A facelift gives a different order of change, and the consultation says plainly which one your face actually needs.