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WHAT IS A FACELIFT?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is cosmetic surgery that lifts up and pulls back the skin to make it look tighter and smoother.

It is designed to reduce sagging skin around the neck and jowls.

In the UK, costs vary from clinic-to-clinic from a few thousand pounds for a mini facelift to £10,000 for a face and neck operation.

All independent and hospital clinics that carry out the procedure in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission, which publishes inspection and performance reports.

Facelifts are normally performed under a general anaesthetic, but can sometimes be local.

They often involve making cuts above the hairline at the temples, as well as under the chin. 

The operation lasts around three hours, with most patients having to stay in hospital over night.

It takes around two-to-four weeks to recover from a facelift, with patients being unable to work.

Bruising is often visible for two weeks.

It could take up to six-to-nine months to see the effects.

Common side effects include a puffy face, bruising, scars and a raised hairline.

The procedure carries the risk of blood collecting under the skin, nerve injury, hair loss, thick scars and asymetrical features. 

As with all operations, it can also cause excessive bleeding, blood clots, infection and allergic reaction to the anaesthetic. 

Figures show there were 5,600 facelifts carried out in the UK in 2012. It is unclear how many deaths are recorded from the procedure each year but the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons warns death is possible. 

Source: NHS Choices 

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