Facelift
Restores a firmer, more defined jawlineLong-lasting, natural-looking rejuvenationTailored technique chosen for your face
If you have noticed sagging across your lower face, softening of the jawline, or the appearance of jowls, a facelift may be worth considering. It is a surgical procedure that lifts and refreshes the face, restoring definition where it has been lost over time.
Not every facelift is the same, and the right result comes from choosing the right technique for your face. At our doctor-led clinic in Scotland, we take time to understand your concerns and recommend the option best suited to you. You will still look like you, only rested and more defined.
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Excess skin is lifted and repositioned along carefully placed incisions, with deeper techniques available to reposition underlying tissue for a longer-lasting result. The right approach depends on your individual anatomy.
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Best for those noticing jowls, a softening jawline or lower face laxity that no longer responds to non-surgical treatments. Suitability depends on your facial structure, not your age.
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Downtime typically ranges from one to three weeks depending on the technique chosen. Bruising and swelling settle gradually over this period.
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A well-established procedure with a high satisfaction rate when performed by expert hands. Your procedure is carried out under sedation rather than general anaesthetic.
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Facelift Before and After Results
Understanding Facelift Surgery
A facelift addresses the visible signs of ageing in the lower face and jawline. As we get older, skin loosens, deeper tissues descend, and definition along the jaw is gradually lost. A facelift corrects this by lifting the skin and, with more advanced techniques, repositioning the tissue beneath it. The aim is a refreshed, natural appearance that preserves your own expression.
There is no single facelift that suits everyone. Some faces respond well to a gentler lift with a quicker recovery, while others benefit from a deeper structural approach that lasts longer. This is why your consultation matters. Rather than arriving with a fixed procedure in mind, we assess your face carefully and advise honestly on the technique that will serve you best.
Our surgeon, Mr John Biddlestone, is an experienced head and neck surgeon who spends around eighty per cent of his clinical time working in this area. That depth of focus means he understands facial anatomy extremely well, allowing him to optimise your result while prioritising your safety. He trained at the University of Cambridge, was awarded his PhD by the University of Dundee, and chose to practise in Scotland for its reputation for excellence in plastic surgery.
Types of Facelifts We Offer
At FrownDocs we offer a range of facelift techniques rather than a single procedure, and Mr Biddlestone will advise which is most appropriate during your consultation.
Skin-Only Facelift is a refined option for early signs of ageing, gently lifting and smoothing the lower face.
Suspension Facelift is a minimally invasive lift that targets mild to moderate laxity in the cheeks and jawline.
Deep Plane Facelift works at a deeper structural level for more pronounced ageing and a longer-lasting result.
Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift addresses both the face and neck together in one procedure.
Our deep plane options are covered in full on their dedicated pages. If your concerns extend to the neck, this can often be addressed as part of your treatment.
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Treatment areas
Mid to lower face, jawline and, where needed, neck
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Treatment time
Approximately 1.5 to 5 hours, depending on technique
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Downtime
Around 1 to 3 weeks
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Results
Natural, refreshed rejuvenation
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Frequency
One-off or repeat in several years
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Risks
Swelling, scarring, temporary tightness or numbness
Is a Facelift Right for You?
Ageing looks different on everyone. You may be a good candidate if you have noticed:
A jawline that has lost definition or begun to sag
Jowls forming along the lower face
Skin laxity that non-surgical options have not been able to correct
A general heaviness or tiredness to the face
Age is rarely the deciding factor. What matters more is how your face has changed and what you want to feel when you look in the mirror. Mr Biddlestone sees patients across a wide range of ages and stages, and his starting point is always your anatomy and your goals. Your consultation is where an honest, personalised recommendation is made.
What a Facelift Can Do for You
The goal of any facelift is a result that looks like you on a good day. When the right technique is chosen and carried out with precision, the outcome is a more defined, rested version of yourself rather than something altered or artificial.
A well-planned facelift can deliver:
Reduced jowling and a sharper jawline contour
A lifted, fresher lower face
Results that move and age naturally
Renewed confidence in how you look day to day
We also have on-site specialists in skin and scar care who work alongside our surgical team, so your healing is actively supported and your outcome can be refined long after recovery is complete.
What a Facelift Cannot Change
A facelift works best for structural concerns. Fine lines, skin texture and volume loss sit outside what surgery is designed to correct, and respond better to non-surgical treatments. Addressing these alongside your facelift, rather than instead of it, often produces the most complete result.
Because our clinic brings plastic surgery and non-surgical aesthetics expertise together under one roof, we can look at the full picture with you. If a combination approach would give you a better outcome, we will say so and plan it properly.
Recovering After Your Facelift
Recovery depends on the technique chosen. Most patients set aside one to three weeks, which gives the initial swelling and bruising enough time to settle. The first few days are for rest. Light activity is reintroduced gradually, with anything more demanding brought back only when your surgeon is satisfied it is safe.
Incisions are placed where they sit naturally within the face, and our on-site specialists actively support the healing and appearance of your scars over time. Our team stays close throughout your recovery, answering questions and making sure you always know where you stand.
Facelift Surgery in Scotland with FrownDocs
Mr Biddlestone brings a level of anatomical knowledge to facelift surgery that is difficult to find. Spending the majority of his clinical time on the head and neck means his understanding of this area goes well beyond what a generalist develops over the same period. That expertise shapes the quality of your result and the way he communicates with you. Appointments are unhurried, explanations are clear, and if a different treatment would serve you better, he will say so directly.
We are also one of the few clinics in Scotland where non-surgical aesthetics and plastic surgery expertise sit under the same roof, working in synergy. That means your care is part of a single, considered plan from consultation through to recovery, with on-site skin and scar specialists available to protect and refine your results over time.
Book Your Facelift Consultation
You do not need to arrive knowing which technique is right for you. That is what the consultation is for. Book a private appointment with Mr Biddlestone, tell us what you have noticed and what you would like to change, and we will give you a clear, personalised recommendation based on your face and your goals. There is no pressure to proceed and no obligation.
FAQs about Facelift Surgery
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A relaxed, private appointment with Mr Biddlestone. He will assess your facial anatomy, discuss your concerns and goals, and advise honestly on whether a facelift is right for you and which technique would suit you best. There is no obligation to proceed.
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You may be a suitable candidate if you have jowls, a softening jawline, or loose skin in the lower face that no longer responds to non-surgical treatment. Suitability depends on your facial structure rather than age alone, which is why an in-person assessment matters.
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That depends on your face and your goals. We offer several techniques, from gentler lifts to deeper structural approaches, and Mr Biddlestone will recommend the most appropriate one at your consultation. Our deep plane options have their own dedicated pages with full detail.
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Incisions are placed within natural creases and along the hairline, where they are well concealed. We also offer on-site skin and scar treatments delivered by specialists to help optimise the appearance of scarring as you heal.
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No. All procedures at FrownDocs are carried out under sedation only. This is well tolerated, keeps you comfortable throughout, and avoids the risks associated with general anaesthesia.
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Most patients take one to three weeks away from work and social life, depending on the technique used. Swelling and bruising settle gradually and normal activities are resumed in stages, with our team supporting you throughout.
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This varies with the technique. Deeper structural approaches tend to last longer because they reposition underlying tissue rather than tightening skin alone. While the face continues to age naturally, the improvement to your jawline and lower face is designed to be long-lasting.
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Yes. Where the neck is also a concern, it can often be treated as part of your procedure. Mr Biddlestone will assess both areas at your consultation and advise on the best plan for you.
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Facelift pricing in Scotland typically ranges from £7,000 to £12,000, depending on the surgical technique used and your individual assessment.
It can be helpful to know that lower-cost options are often skin-only facelifts. While these may be suitable in some cases, they do not usually offer the same level of result or longevity as deeper plane approaches.
The cost of a facelift is based on the approach used, the complexity of the procedure and the expertise of the surgeon. This is discussed openly during your consultation, so you have full clarity before making any decision.