Facelift Surgery

A facelift works by removing excess loose and saggy skin. However, it’s also important to lift and tighten the underlying facial tissues, which form the face’s foundation to achieve attractive and enduring results.

The consultant aesthetic surgeons generally perform the Concept™ Facelift under local anaesthetic, although Bella Vou offers sedation and general anaesthesia for patients who prefer not to be awake. The surgeon will inject a local anaesthetic to numb the face so that you are comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure.

Your surgeon will make a short incision that runs from the front of the ear to behind the ear. They will tighten and lift the SMAS, a layer of tissue that supports the face and is vital for its structure and appearance. They then remove all excess skin and stitch the wound closed using fine sutures that dissolve naturally. 

The Concept™ Facelift results in a smaller scar and no hair loss compared to traditional facelifts. The Concept™ Facelift lifts the cheeks, smooths the skin, removes jowls and restores jawline definition for a natural and youthful appearance that lasts for many years.

Before a facelift, you may have lines, wrinkles, jowls, and a loss of definition to the jawline. Age, facial expressions and sun damage can harm the complexion and make the eyes and the corners of the mouth droop. You may progressively develop deep lines and creases that can make you look tired and grumpy, whatever your mood.

After a facelift, the skin will be smoother, the cheeks will be lifted, and the jawline tauter and more defined. Some traditional facelifts can result in a tight, mask-like appearance. However, the Concept™ Facelift treats the signs of ageing to give a fresh, natural look. Following surgery, friends and family should notice that you look well and refreshed, but it should not be evident that you have had a facelift.

Facelift surgery can lift and improve the appearance for many years, with research confirming that improvements in the appearance of jowls, nasolabial, and marionette areas sustained more than five years after surgery. A facelift does not stop the ageing process, but it can help reset the clock. After a facelift, you will continue to age at the same rate but should still look younger than you would have without surgery. 

Lifts that include SMAS tightening, such as the Concept™ Facelift, lift the face’s underlying structure to provide more lasting results than less comprehensive or ‘mini’ lifts. Some patients request surgery to address further signs of ageing ten or more years after the initial surgery. 

For more information, visit our FAQs page on How Long Will My Concept™ Facelift Last?.

The recovery from traditional facelift surgery can be long and painful. The pain and bruising can make it challenging to work and socialise for up to eight weeks. In contrast, the Concept™ Facelift is much less invasive, and you will be able to go home on the day of surgery with no drains or bandages. 

You will have minor bruising, swelling, or scarring following the Concept™ Facelift. The team at Bella Vou will provide pain relief to keep you comfortable and around-the-clock support during your recovery. 

• Rest: Most people can return to their routine within a few days. However, it's essential to give your body time to recover and avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. 

• Keep clean: Keep the wound clean to prevent infection, and don't apply any creams or make-up until the Bella Vou team gives you the go-ahead.
• Stop swelling: Reduce swelling by sleeping on 1-2 extra pillows and applying regular cold compresses. 
• Eating and drinking: Stay well hydrated and choose soft foods; you may experience some pain chewing for the first few days. 
• Protect your bedding: The wound may ooze a little for the first 48 hours. It’s sensible to wear a dark top to travel home. The team at Bella Vou will give you some sterile gauze and a pillow protector to take home.

All surgery has risks; however, the Concept™ Facelift is generally safe with excellent aesthetic results. As the Concept™ Facelift is less invasive and performed under local anaesthetic, there are fewer complications than traditional facelift surgery.

The risks of facelift include bleeding, infection, wound break-down, scarring, and hair loss at the incision site. Complications of the Concept™ Facelift are uncommon; the highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeons at Bella Vou work to reduce risks and support your healthy recovery. 

At Bella Vou, we provide an unparalleled service that offers the best possible care and utilises the top surgeons in the field to ensure our patients are always safe and 100% satisfied. But don’t just take our word for it, listen to what some of our patients have to say.

Love love love the results:

‘I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Amir N and Bella Vou as a clinic. I had the whole lot done under local, which I have to say I was nervous about, but once the anaesthetic was done you just chat away, the anticipation is way scarier than the reality. The results are fabulous, I have a jawline and eyelids for starters and my make-up just looks better. I have a very natural look and it doesn't look like I've had surgery, but getting LOTS of compliments on how well I'm looking!’

You can get a first-hand look at one of our patient’s amazing stories as they explain their time here at Bella Vou.

The revolutionary Concept™ Facelift is exclusively available at Bella Vou. The innovative, trademarked technique was developed by the clinic’s renowned cosmetic surgeons as a less invasive alternative to traditional facelift surgery and attracts clients from across the globe.

Bella Vou offers clients a uniquely individual approach to cosmetic surgery. The state-of-the-art clinic provides the very latest surgical, cosmetic, and aesthetic treatments in a chic, comfortable, and welcoming environment in the heart of the beautiful historic town of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Bella Vou is dedicated to providing satisfaction, the highest standards of care, and a very personal touch throughout the client journey. The highly-skilled, professional staff are passionate about helping people achieve the results they want, but also making their experience enjoyable, stress, and hassle-free.

Bella Vou’s leading cosmetic surgeons are recognised by the most highly-regarded aesthetics and cosmetic surgery associations, including the UK Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (UKAAPS) and named among the world’s top influencers in cosmetic medicine in the prestigious RealSelf 100 awards. The clinic and leading-edge operating suite are approved and inspected to ensure the highest standards of patient care and assured with exacting standards on cleanliness and infection control safeguards.

Bella Vou offers competitively priced packages of care, with no hidden extras. The clinic is confident in the skills and professionalism of the staff and provides a benefit warranty to provide patients with peace of mind. If there is a problem or complication, the client will be looked after throughout, without any extra bills or charges.

Bella Vou combines cutting-edge treatment and clinical excellence with the luxury, comfort, and discretion of a spa and the hospitality of a five-star hotel.