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risques du lifting.

What are the risks of a facelift?

A facelift is a surgical procedure. As such, it carries certain risks, ranging from minor to severe, that the patient assumes when they agree to the operation. What are these risks?

Summary
Published May 14, 2025, updated on May 15, 2025, by Lilia, Scientific Editor — 5 min read
Facelift

Focus on the facelift.

A lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at firming and rejuvenating the skin. It is performed exclusively by a qualified plastic surgeon, supported by a competent medical team, in a suitable medical environment. The procedure relies on precise techniques designed to remove excess skin and fat responsible for skin sagging. There are different types of lifts depending on the body area concerned: facial lift, including the forehead, eyelids, jowls, lips, chin and neck, but also arms, breasts with mammoplasty, abdomen with abdominoplasty, buttocks or thighs with cruroplasty.

Despite some variations depending on the area being treated, the surgical protocol remains largely the same: anaesthesia is first administered, followed by incisions, then a separation of the skin to access the underlying tissues. The surgeon then proceeds to excise the excess skin and fat, sometimes with the aid of liposuction. The tissues are then tightened to achieve the lifted effect, then the skin is sutured and protected by a dressing. Prior to any procedure, a preoperative consultation is essential. It allows the surgeon to explain the course of the operation and the patient to provide essential medical information such as health history, allergies or any ongoing treatment. After evaluating these elements and conducting medical examinations, the surgeon determines if the operation can be safely considered.

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The risks of a facelift.

Although the facelift is a surgical procedure with aesthetic objectives involving minimal risks, some may arise as with any medical intervention. These risks should be clearly outlined by the surgeon during the preoperative consultation. Generally, we distinguish between two types of risks: minor risks and major risks.

Minor risks are the most common and the least concerning. They are temporary, disappearing within a few days, sometimes even within a few hours, and include symptoms such as bruising, swelling, moderate pain, numbness or itching. Major risks, on the other hand, are rare but potentially serious. They can include surgical complications such as a reaction to anaesthesia, infections, or the formation of blood clots. Other risks include allergic reactions to medications or materials used, a loss of sensation, temporary or permanent in the operated area, abnormal scarring, excessive bleeding or even skin necrosis, that is, the death of tissues due to poor blood supply.

Alongside these medical risks, the possibility of unsatisfactory results should not be overlooked. Even if the surgeon provides a simulation or an estimate of the final outcome, the result may be disappointing. Facial asymmetry, an unsightly scar, or an appearance that does not meet the patient's expectations can occur. Therefore, it is essential to mentally prepare for these potential outcomes before committing to such a procedure.

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