While nothing can stop skin from aging forever, a professionally done facelift can turn back the clock for up to ten more years.

In this guide, we’ll cover the essentials of facelifts in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur, though you’re welcome to skip the reading and book a consultation with us!

Otherwise, let’s begin!

What’s a facelift? (⇧)

A facelift or rhytidectomy is a surgical cosmetic procedure that removes sagging skin and tightens underlying tissues of the cheeks, jawline, and neck. 

This process removes wrinkles and restores a more youthful contour to the face.

How is the procedure done?

First and foremost, the patient is placed under general anaesthesia.

From there, the facelift is carried out in five simple steps:

1. The doctor makes incisions above the hairline and following the shape of the front of the ear.
2. The skin is gently lifted and pulled back and up to tighten the face.
3. The tightened tissue is secured to the bone around the ear.
4. Extra skin is taken away and the reamaining skin is sewn back into a new, lifted position.
5. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures. 

Alright, so maybe not so simple!

That’s why a full facelift generally takes 3 – 4 hours with patients warded overnight for observation.

It’s not permanent!

Like we said at the start, nothing can halt Father Time forever unless you’re Michelle Yeoh.

The effects of a properly done facelift can last up to ten years, but eventually, the skin may once more begin to sag.

However, that’s another ten years of looking twenty years younger!

Facelifts plus other procedures

A facelift can be combined with procedures that target other parts of the face for a more youthful overall appearance, including but not limited to:

• brow lifts
• forehead / eyelid lifts (Blepharoplasty)
• nose surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Beyond the face, it’s not uncommon to pair a facelift with procedures for the body, such as liposuction, tummy tucks, or breast lifts.

Everyone has different body goals, so it’s a matter of sitting down with a surgeon who can help you chart a plan to achieve yours🙂

Facelift vs mini facelift vs thread Lift (⇧)

Malaysian surgeons and aesthetic clinics often offer thread lifts and mini facelifts as an alternative to full or traditional facelift.

All three procedures tighten loose skin and underlying tissue, but differ in approach, invasiveness, and longevity.

• Facelift: Traditional surgical procedure with the most dramatic and long-lasting results.
• Mini facelift: A less invasive version of a facelift, targeting specific areas.
• Thread lift: A non-surgical procedure using medical threads to lift the skin temporarily.

Here’s a table that shows how they compare to each other.

Procedure	Full facelift	Mini facelift	Thread Lift
Invasiveness	Highest	Moderate	Lowest
Incisions	Extensive	Less extensive	None
Recovery Time	2-4 weeks	1-2 weeks	1-2 days
Longevity	5 -10 years	3-5 years	1-2 years
Cost	Highest	Moderate	Lowest
Results	Most dramatic	Moderate	Least dramatic

While cost is a practical consideration, the decision should be based on the degree of intervention required!

Thread lifts can help minimal sag, while skin in more advanced stages of aging may need a mini facelift, or even a full facelift to be restored.

Facelift prices in Malaysia (⇧)

We’re sure many of you immediately skipped to this part 😉

As of writing this guide, only seven of 42 providers in Malaysia on WhatClinic share general price estimates. 

Based on their data and our own, average costs for the three main facelift types in Malaysia are:

• Full facelift: RM17,000 to RM26,000
• Mini facelift: RM2,888 to RM6,000
• Thread lift: RM2,888 to RM6,000

Of course, prices online may not always be up to date, so please use these figures as a general estimate.

See our guide to facelfit prices in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur for a more in depth understanding of facelift fees

Now for our own pricing.

Prices at Dr. Soma Plastic Surgery (⇧)

On average, our facelift prices start at RM30,000 and go up to RM40,000 depending on the complexity of the case.

Though our rates are above the market average, we believe we deliver value through:

• Dr Soma’s 25 years of experience as a top plastic surgeon in Malaysia
• Your operation being performed at the award-winning Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC)
• An overnight stay at SJMC, and
• 12 months of follow-up appointments and progress updates

This means your operation will be done in a hospital operating theatre with the best equipment and support from trained medical professionals.

Additionally, throughout your 12 months of follow-up appointments, we monitor not just your physical progress but your emotional wellbeing as it’s natural to experience ups and downs throughout recovery.

Postoperative recovery expectations (⇧)

After the surgery, a facelift dressing will be applied to put pressure on the incision line and treatment areas to keep symptoms to a minimum.

However, some amount of bruising and swelling is to be expected, particularly in the neck area, and most facelift patients will go through the following recovery stages:

• First two days: Plenty of rest while keeping bandages dry
• First week: Sleep with head elevated to reduce swelling
• End of first week: Stitches typically removed
• 3-4 Weeks: Slowly return to normal activities as the welling has significantly subsided
• 6-9 Months: Enjoy the full effects as scars fade and final results are on display.

Patients will need time off work and to avoid any strenuous activity, swimming, massages, or saunas for at least two weeks

Potential risks and complications (⇧)

Like any surgical procedure, facelifts carry potential risks that should be considered, including:

• Anesthesia complications
• Bleeding and blood clot risks (DVT, cardiac, pulmonary)
• Facial nerve injury or weakness
• Fluid accumulation
• Infection
• Numbness or skin sensation changes
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing or skin loss
• Prolonged swelling
• Skin discoloration or irregularities
• Visible sutures or irritation
• Temporary or permanent hair loss at incisions
• Scarring and unsatisfactory results (asymmetry, scarring, visible deformities)

While these risks are rare, understanding them is crucial before making a decision to proceed.

For what it’s worth, over a hundred facelifts have been done at Soma Plastic Surgery, and there has never been an issue beyond temporary swelling.

Is a facelift right for you? (⇧)

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have noticeable sagging skin on your face, particularly the jaw, neck, or cheeks?
2. Have non-invasive treatments not helped as much as you expected?
3. Are you in good overall health for post-surgery recovery?
4. Are you comfortable with a more invasive procedure if it meant more dramatic and long-term results?

If you answered yes to all these questions, a full facelift could offer you significant improvements, both in appearance and overall quality of life.

Time to make an appointment with us!

Make an appointment with Dr Soma

With over 25 years of experience and having served thousands of patients, Dr. Soma and his team have helped people from all over Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia achieve their aesthetic goals.