Facelift Surgery Melbourne – Surgical Facial Rejuvenation

Facelift costs in Melbourne vary considerably depending on the surgical technique, the complexity of the procedure, anaesthesia requirements, hospital facility fees, and the experience of your surgeon. As a general guide, facelift surgery in Melbourne typically ranges from $15,000 to $35,000 or more for procedures performed by a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in a registered day hospital or private hospital setting.

At Aesthetica Image Centre, a detailed written cost estimate is provided following your consultation, once the most appropriate surgical approach has been determined for your individual anatomy and goals. We recommend requesting a full itemised fee breakdown from any provider you are considering.

Medicare and private health insurance do not typically cover facelift surgery when performed for cosmetic reasons. A consultation is the best way to receive an accurate, personalised cost estimate.

Suitability for facelift surgery depends on a number of factors including your overall health, medical history, skin quality, degree of facial tissue change, and your treatment goals. Good candidates are generally in good overall health, non-smokers or willing to cease smoking prior to surgery, and have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve.

Not everyone who enquires about a facelift is suited to surgery — and not everyone needs it. In some cases, non-surgical treatments such as Ultherapy or a Thread Lift may be a more appropriate starting point. A consultation with your surgeon is the only way to determine the most appropriate option for your individual circumstances.

There is no single ideal age for facelift surgery. Suitability is based on your facial anatomy, the degree of tissue change, skin quality, and overall health — not chronological age alone. Some patients in their mid-forties notice early structural changes that benefit from surgical intervention, while others may not consider surgery until their sixties or beyond.

What matters most is whether the changes you are experiencing are causing you concern, and whether surgery is the most appropriate option for your individual anatomy and goals. This is assessed during your consultation.

A mini facelift typically uses smaller incisions and addresses earlier or more limited lower face laxity. It may be suitable for patients with mild jowling or early loss of jawline definition who are not yet candidates for more extensive surgery.

A full facelift involves more comprehensive repositioning of the underlying facial tissues — including the SMAS layer — and may also address the neck. It is generally more appropriate where there is moderate to advanced tissue descent, more significant jowling, or neck laxity that cannot be adequately addressed with a limited procedure.

At Aesthetica, we offer several techniques including High SMAS, Deep Plane, and MACS facelifts. The most appropriate approach is determined during your consultation based on your facial anatomy and treatment goals.

Modern facelift techniques focus on repositioning the underlying structural layers of the face — particularly the SMAS — rather than simply pulling the skin tight. This approach aims to restore natural facial proportions and a more rested, refreshed appearance without the stretched or “operated” look associated with older techniques.

The goal at Aesthetica is always a result that looks like a better, more youthful version of you — not a different person. Your surgeon will discuss realistic outcomes based on your individual anatomy.

Yes — the goal of facelift surgery at Aesthetica is to address specific structural changes without altering your natural features or facial identity. Modern techniques work with your anatomy rather than against it, aiming to restore the facial contours you had at an earlier stage of life.

Your surgeon will take time during your consultation to understand what concerns you most, discuss what is achievable, and set realistic expectations based on your individual anatomy. No surgical outcome can be guaranteed, and results vary between individuals.

Facelift results are generally long-lasting, with many patients enjoying the benefits for ten years or more, depending on the technique used, individual ageing patterns, skin quality, and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure and smoking.

It is important to understand that a facelift does not stop the ageing process — it addresses structural changes at a point in time. Some patients choose to complement their results with non-surgical treatments such as Ultherapy or RF skin tightening in the years following surgery to help maintain skin quality and tissue support.

Recovery after facelift surgery varies between individuals and depends on the technique used, your overall health, and how well you follow post-operative care instructions. As a general guide, most patients require one to two weeks away from work and social activities. Swelling and bruising are common in the first one to two weeks and gradually improve over several weeks.

More strenuous activities and exercise are typically restricted for four to six weeks. Your surgeon will provide specific guidance on your recovery timeline based on the procedure performed.

At Aesthetica Image Centre, structured aftercare is provided including scheduled follow-up appointments, 24-hour support, and LED light therapy to assist healing where appropriate.

Yes. Facelift surgery is often performed in combination with other procedures to achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Common combinations include blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to address the upper or lower eyelids, fat transfer to restore volume in areas affected by age-related volume loss, and neck lift procedures where significant neck laxity is present.

Combined procedures are discussed during your consultation based on your individual anatomy and goals. Your surgeon will advise which combination, if any, may be appropriate and safe for your individual circumstances.

All surgical procedures carry risks, and facelift surgery is no exception. Potential risks include bleeding or haematoma formation, infection, temporary or longer-lasting changes in skin sensation, visible or unfavourable scarring, delayed wound healing, asymmetry, and — rarely — nerve injury affecting facial movement. The possibility of further procedures to address complications should also be considered.

Individual medical factors influence both risk and healing. At Aesthetica Image Centre, a thorough discussion of risks, benefits, and alternatives forms part of every consultation to support fully informed decision-making.