How Much Does a Facelift Procedure Cost? - GoodRx (2024)



Faces get noticed. And loose skin and deep wrinkles are things some people don’t want noticed.

Facelifts, which can make the skin look smoother and tighter, are among the top 5 cosmetic surgeries performed every year. There were more than 230,000 of these procedures performed in 2020, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. They’re not a new phenomenon, either —they’ve been performed for more than 100 years.

Here’s a breakdown of how much facelifts can cost, and what your payment options are.

What happens during a facelift?

A facelift is a surgical procedure meant to restore a youthful appearance. The procedure can reduce wrinkles and tighten sagging skin in the lower face and neck.

The procedure usually involves a plastic surgeon making an incision from the front of each ear, underneath, and up behind to the scalp — outlining the ear with the incision. The skin is then pulled tight and the excess skin is removed, while the underlying tissues are repositioned. Incisions are closed with sutures, staples, or glue. Often the surgeon makes a third incision just below the chin to tighten the skin on your neck. Once you are healed, these incisions are usually almost invisible.

Other versions of a facelift can include a limited incision facelift, also known as a mini-facelift or weekend facelift. These facelifts use smaller incisions that curve under your ears. The results are less dramatic, but you recover more quickly.

There are also less invasive, nonsurgical facelifts. These facelifts don’t require incisions, anesthesia, or hospitalization. They typically involve dermal fillers, which are injections of material such as hyaluronic acid or collagen that plumps the face. Some nonsurgical facelifts use Botox injections, while others inject your own fat cells into your face.

Recovery for a traditional facelift can take up to 30 days. A surgeon might insert small tubes into your face to drain blood and other fluids as you recover. Your face will be swollen and bruised, and it can take a few weeks for the swelling to go down and the bruising to fade. The final results of the procedure — where all the swelling is gone and healing is done — can take as long as a year.

How much does a facelift typically cost?

The average cost of a traditional facelift is $8,005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. One of the biggest portions of that cost is the surgeon’s fee.

Here are the average costs of common facelift procedures in different parts of the U.S.:

• Deep plane facelift: This procedure can cost between $15,000 and $30,000, according to the Glasgold Group in Princeton, New Jersey. Deep plane facelifts are more invasive, but last longer than traditional facelifts. They are more common in older patients with advanced signs of aging.

• Mid-facelift: Elite Plastic Surgery in Tampa, Florida typically charges $6,000 to $8,000 for this type of facelift.

• Mini-facelift: The average cost of a mini-facelift at one Chicago-based plastic surgery and med spa is $7,150.

• Liquid (nonsurgical) facelift: This procedure can range from $2,000 to $5,000, according to a facial plastic surgeon in Ohio.

But how much you actually pay depends on a number of factors, including the type of procedure, where it’s performed, and the costs of anesthesia and other add-ons.

Factors affecting the costs of a facelift

The averages above don’t include all the charges you might pay. Other costs may include:

• Consultation fee: The fee you pay simply to meet with the plastic surgeon. Often the fee is applied to your procedure, but sometimes it is a separate cost.

• Anesthesia fees: This is the cost of the anesthetics and the anesthesiologist treating you. In most cases, general anesthesia is used, but there are other types. General anesthesia is typically more expensive than local anesthesia.

• Hospital or surgical facility costs: There will be a charge for the operating room your surgeon uses, which can be in an inpatient or outpatient facility. Your surgery might happen in a hospital, office-based surgery center, or ambulatory surgery center. Some people can go home just a few hours after surgery. Others need to stay in the hospital for at least a day, which can add to the final cost.

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• Medical tests: You may need blood work or other tests before your facelift.

• Post-surgery garments: Many patients buy compression facial wraps to reduce discomfort and promote healing.

• Medication: You’ll need to pay for any painkillers, antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, or steroids (to keep swelling down) your surgeon prescribes for your recovery.

• Post-surgical corrections: Some patients need further procedures because they are unhappy with their facelift, or they had complications during surgery.

Fees can vary between locations and surgeons. A very experienced surgeon might charge more than a less experienced one. The same is true of an anesthesiologist. You might also pay more in areas where there is higher demand for plastic surgery or fewer plastic surgeons.

Does insurance cover a facelift?

In most cases, a facelift is considered cosmetic surgery and will not be covered by insurance. That means you’ll have to cover the cost.

The IRS doesn’t allow you to use funds from a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for cosmetic procedures, either. These accounts allow you to use pre-tax funds to pay for health care expenses, but cosmetic surgery doesn’t qualify.

However, you don’t have to save up tens of thousands of dollars before your surgery. Many lenders offer personal loans that can be used for any reason. If you have a good credit score, you can typically get a loan with a good interest rate. Look for a low annual percentage rate (APR).

In addition, some plastic surgery practices offer in-house financing, often through medical credit accounts like CareCredit.

Carefully compare interest rates, loan terms, and any potential fees between lenders to protect your money.

Is a facelift worth it?

The results of a facelift can be subjective. You might be thrilled or wonder why you bothered. It’s a highly personal choice.

You can get helpful information beforehand by having a consultation with a plastic surgeon. They will determine if you are a good candidate for a facelift based on factors such as:

• Your expectations

• Your history of recovery from surgery or anesthesia

• Your health (you may not be able to have surgery if you have a medical condition affecting your blood, skin healing, or immune system

The consultation is also a good time to ask the surgeon questions you may have, such as:

• The surgeon’s qualifications, such as certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery

• Surgery risks

• What to expect during recovery

And as with any surgery, there are risks with getting a facelift that you should consider, including:

• Scarring

• Numbness

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Hematoma (bad bruising)

• Seroma (a buildup of fluid at the surgical site)

• Asymmetry

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• Nerve damage that could cause facial paralysis

• Change in skin color or skin sensation

• Risks from anesthesia, such as allergic reactions and vomiting

Some procedures may cause too-taut skin or changes to your earlobe shape. That’s why a facelift is often combined with an earlobe reduction. It’s important to consider these outcomes as well before saying “yes” to a facelift.

Are there cheaper alternatives to a facelift?

If you’re not sure a facelift is right for you, you have other options. You can try a microneedling or radiofrequency procedure. These help skin produce collagen for a fuller look.

Another procedure, thread lifts, involves a provider inserting temporary sutures beneath the skin to lift it in key places.

Finally, you can try face yoga, a series of facial exercises thought to tighten and firm the skin.

How long does a facelift last?

In many cases, a facelift lasts about 10 years. But some surgeons say the procedure can last up to 15 years. Your genes, weight fluctuation, and sun exposure (both past and future) play a role in how long it lasts. Usually, more invasive procedures last longer.