Facelifts aren't about erasing the effects of the past, but about strengthening the connection between how you look and how you feel.
Your Facelift at Avenue Aesthetic Surgery
As we age, our skin loses its tone, elasticity, and volume. It’s a natural, inevitable part of life, and one that isn’t entirely within our control. At our Melbourne clinic , we understand that these changes can subtly affect how we feel about ourselves, sometimes disconnecting the way we look from the way we truly feel inside.
It’s this understanding that informs our approach to facelifts: to maintain the integrity and unique structure of your face rather than simply improving its appearance. Our goal is to preserve the natural character of the face while reducing the signs of ageing that can sometimes make us feel older than we are.
After all, we understand the importance of a natural result and the desire to look refreshed rather than different after a facelift surgery. At Avenue Aesthetic Surgery, we utilise an approach designed to remove excess skin, tighten facial muscles, add volume, and, importantly, avoid risk of injury to the facial nerves.
If you’re considering a facelift, reach out to our friendly team for a consultation with one of our Melbourne practitioners.

Discover
OUR APPROACH TO YOUR FACELIFT PROCEDURE
In the world of facelift surgery, there is no room for error, which is why we take a precise, thorough approach to understanding not just the structure of your face but the personal reasons behind your decision to seek treatment. And like any meaningful, life-enhancing decision, a consultation is an essential first step.
Because every face is different, and every individual’s goals may differ, a thorough evaluation will be performed at your consultation. This allows us to carefully assess your unique facial structure, listen to your hopes and concerns, discuss the different options available to you—whether it’s an upper, mid, lower, or revision facelift—and design a tailored plan that supports not only your physical rejuvenation but also your confidence, sense of self, and overall well-being.
Between your initial consultation and your facelift surgery, we’ll organise another time for our Melbourne doctors to speak with you to finalise your decision, answer any additional questions, and ensure you feel completely comfortable and informed about the next steps. This is an important opportunity to revisit your goals, confirm your personalised treatment plan, and discuss any final details to support your peace of mind.
On the day, the surgery will be performed under general anaesthesia. It may take several hours to complete, depending on the complexity of your procedure and the areas being addressed.
During the procedure, we use minimal, well-concealed incisions to make scarring as imperceptible as possible. Here, facial muscles are carefully tightened and excess skin is removed, all while avoiding damage to the underlying nerves. This provides a long-lasting, natural lift of the neck and jowls while preventing an over-stretched appearance. Your fat is then strategically used to restore lost volume, helping achieve a soft, balanced and refreshed result that feels entirely your own.
Our Three-Dimensional Approach to Facelift Surgery
1 / Total facial rejuvenation
We use your body’s natural fat to restore facial volume and enhance the appearance of the lips, cheeks and brows.
2 / Minimally invasive approach
Our techniques minimise the risk of post-operative bleeding, bruising and scarring.
3 / Avoid nerve damage
We avoid cutting important ligaments to help avoid nerve damage.
Recovery
Before and after your surgery, we will address recovery expectations and provide you with an in-depth, personalised recovery plan tailored to your procedure and lifestyle. For most, recovery typically involves wearing a compression band around the head for two weeks, returning to relatively normal activity and sedentary work after one week.
Aftercare Instructions
We recommend:
- Wearing special compression garments as instructed
- No heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for approximately 4 weeks following surgery
- Taking prescribed pain medication
- Staying out of direct sunlight
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol
Associated Risks
All surgery comes with some degree of risk, regardless of the type. However, it’s important you’re aware of the risks so that you can make a well-informed decision. Complications associated with facelifts include bleeding/hematoma, infection, skin necrosis (skin death/loss), hairline alterations, skin numbness, nerve injury, poor scarring, deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) and anaesthetic complications.
This list is not all-inclusive, and patients may be at risk for additional complications depending on their medical and surgical history. A thorough discussion will occur during consultation with your doctor, including ways to mitigate risks prior to surgery and steps taken to treat complications should they occur.
Have You Considered Other Facial Rejuvenation Procedures?
In order to help you through the decision process, Dr Allan Kalus has written An Open Letter to Facelift Patients. Alternatively, contact our Melbourne office to learn more about the procedure.
*ANY SURGICAL OR INVASIVE PROCEDURE CARRIES RISKS. BEFORE PROCEEDING, YOU SHOULD SEEK A SECOND OPINION FROM AN APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED HEALTH PRACTITIONER.
BOOK A CONSULTATION
We understand you might have questions about the procedure, recovery time, expected results, and whether a facelift is right for you. We’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have to help you feel fully informed and comfortable before taking the next step. Call us on 03 9521 1777 or send us a message, and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
Outside of our opening times? Request a call back
OUR APPROACH TO YOUR FACELIFT PROCEDURE
If you have any questions about the facelift procedure or how our Melbourne clinic can help you, please explore our frequently asked questions below or contact us. Our friendly team is more than willing to answer any queries you may have.
A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to refresh and restore the natural contours of your face and neck. It works by gently tightening the underlying muscles, removing excess skin, and replenishing lost volume where needed. The goal is to create a more youthful and balanced appearance that still looks like you, just a fresher version. Unlike treatments that only address surface wrinkles, a facelift targets the deeper structures of the face to provide lasting, natural-looking results.
There are several types of facelifts, each targeting different areas of the face to address specific concerns:
- Upper Facelift: Targets the forehead, brow area and upper eyelids. It helps to smooth deep lines and lift the brow, creating a more open and rested look.
- Mid Facelift: Focuses on the cheeks, under-eye area and upper jawline. It’s ideal for restoring volume to the cheeks and reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds (smile lines).
- Lower Facelift: Addresses sagging around the jawline, jowls and neck. It tightens loose skin and improves definition in the lower face and neck area.
- Revision Facelift: A revision facelift is performed to refine or correct the results of a previous facelift. Whether adjusting the initial outcome or addressing the natural ageing process over time, this procedure requires particular skill and precision.
Facelift surgery is not about chasing perfection or looking like someone else, it’s about looking like you, just a little more rested and lifted. A facelift can help soften the signs of ageing, restore natural contours, and, most importantly, support how you feel about yourself. It’s a very personal decision, and our goal is always to help you feel proud of your reflection.
You might experience some tightness, swelling and mild discomfort after surgery, but it’s generally very manageable. We’ll provide you with medication and detailed care instructions to keep you as comfortable as possible. And of course, our team is always here if you need reassurance during your recovery.
After your facelift, we’ll ask you to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for a couple of weeks. This helps reduce swelling and protects your incisions while they heal. Many patients find it helpful to place a pillow on either side of their head while sleeping to gently stop themselves from rolling over during the night.
You’ll receive clear, personalised pre-operative instructions from our doctors and nurses, covering everything from medications and fasting times to small adjustments you can make to help support a smooth, comfortable recovery.
Facelift surgery scars are designed to be discreet. Our practitioners strategically place incisions where they can be naturally concealed, helping minimise their visibility as you heal.
We don’t believe there is a ‘best’ age for a facelift. Some people may notice significant signs of ageing in their 40s, while others might not consider surgery until their 50s or 60s. It’s less about age and more about what feels right for you. Typically, the most suitable candidates are those with enough sagging skin for the procedure to make a meaningful difference, but not so much that extensive correction becomes complex or less natural-looking.
During your initial consultation, our practitioners will asses your facial structure and skin quality to help determine if (and when) a facelift is the right option for you.
A facelift primarily focuses on lifting and tightening sagging skin and underlying muscles to restore a more youthful facial contour. While it can reduce the appearance of some wrinkles, especially those caused by skin laxity, it’s not specifically designed to eliminate fine lines or those caused by repetitive movements.