Why do people choose a facelift?

Most people do not come to look younger. They come because the face in the mirror no longer matches how they feel inside, and they want to look rested, like themselves again. A facelift is one way to restore that sense of recognition, and is considered individually.

Will a facelift make me look unnatural or done?

The fear of looking pulled or done is common and reasonable. It usually comes from older techniques that tightened skin alone. A deep plane facelift instead repositions the deeper layers of the face, which is why it is associated with more natural movement. Results vary by individual and are discussed at consultation.

What is the most advanced facelift technique?

The deep plane facelift is widely regarded as among the most advanced facelift techniques, because it works beneath the skin, repositioning the SMAS and its ligaments rather than tightening the surface. Whether it suits any individual is a clinical decision.

What is a deep plane facelift?

A deep plane facelift is a surgical technique that repositions the deeper structural layer of the face, the SMAS together with its supporting ligaments, rather than tightening the skin alone.

Am I too young or too old for a facelift?

There is no single right age. Suitability depends on the structure of your face, your health and your goals, not a number. A consultation is the way to understand what, if anything, is appropriate for you.

How do I choose a facelift surgeon in Delhi?

Look for formal training in facial surgery, experience with the specific technique you are considering such as the deep plane facelift, and a surgeon who explains options honestly without pressure. Dr Prateek Sharma is a facelift and facial plastic surgeon in Delhi, MBBS from MAMC New Delhi, MS in ENT from AIIMS New Delhi, and a Commonwealth Fellow in the United Kingdom.

Is a facelift worth it?

Only you can answer that, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you hope to feel afterwards. A good consultation is not about persuading you to proceed; it is about helping you decide clearly, with no pressure either way.

How to Prepare for a Facelift: A Checklist

How to prepare for a facelift

The weeks before surgery affect your result more than most people realise.

By Dr Prateek Sharma ·Facelift Surgeon, Delhi ·5 min read ·Updated 2026-07-30

In short

Stopping smoking well before surgery is one of the most important things you can do.
Disclose every medication and supplement, including herbal ones, honestly.
Arrange help at home and clear your calendar more generously than you expect to need.
Your surgeon's specific pre-operative instructions always take priority over general advice.

People tend to focus entirely on the operation and the recovery, and skip the weeks in between deciding and arriving. That is a mistake, because preparation genuinely affects both safety and result. Here is what actually matters, understanding that your own surgeon's instructions always come first.

Smoking is the big one

If there is one thing on this list to take seriously, it is this. Smoking constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the skin, which directly impairs healing and increases the risk of skin healing problems and poor scars. Most surgeons ask patients to stop well before surgery and to stay stopped through recovery. Some will decline to operate otherwise, and that is a reasonable position rather than a harsh one.

Be completely honest about medications

This includes prescription medicines, over-the-counter painkillers, vitamins and herbal supplements. Several common ones affect bleeding, including some anti-inflammatories and a number of popular supplements. Your surgeon needs the full list to advise you on what to pause and when. Leaving something out because it seems minor is genuinely unsafe.

Nothing on your medication list is too small to mention. The one you leave out is usually the one that matters.

Get your general health in order

Blood pressure well controlled, since it affects bleeding risk directly.
Any chronic conditions such as diabetes managed and discussed openly.
Pre-operative investigations completed as requested.
A stable weight, since significant weight change after surgery can affect your result.

Set up your home before you need it

You will not want to organise anything in the first few days. Beforehand, arrange for someone to be with you initially, prepare easy soft food, stock what your surgeon has recommended, and set up somewhere comfortable to rest with your head elevated. Put loose button-front clothing within reach, since pulling things over your head will not be appealing.

Plan your time away generously

Look at recovery week by week and then add a buffer. People who schedule a major event two weeks after surgery often regret it. If there is a wedding or a work commitment you care about, plan backwards from it with room to spare, because healing does not follow a calendar.

Practical detail people forget: arrange your transport home and your first follow-up appointment in advance, and make sure someone knows how to reach the clinic if you have concerns overnight.

Prepare mentally too

Expect to feel discouraged somewhere in the first two weeks. Nearly everyone does. The face at that stage is swollen, tight and not remotely representative of the result. Knowing this in advance takes most of the sting out of it. It also helps to be clear on what a facelift can and cannot do before the day rather than after.

Everything above is general guidance for understanding, not a pre-operative plan. Your own instructions come from your operating surgeon. If you are at the stage of planning properly, a consultation with Dr Prateek Sharma with Dr Prateek Sharma at Eveite or Aloysia Eveite in Delhi is where your specific preparation would be set out.

Questions people ask

How should I prepare for a facelift?+

Stop smoking well in advance, disclose every medication and supplement to your surgeon, get blood pressure and any chronic conditions well controlled, complete requested investigations, arrange help at home, and plan generous time away from work and events. Your surgeon's own instructions take priority.

How long before a facelift should I stop smoking?+

Most surgeons ask patients to stop well before surgery and to remain stopped through recovery, because smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and impairs healing. Your surgeon will give you a specific timeframe, and some will decline to operate if you continue.

What should I avoid before facelift surgery?+

Avoid smoking, and discuss all medications and supplements with your surgeon, since several common ones including certain anti-inflammatories and herbal supplements can affect bleeding. Never stop or start anything without your surgeon's specific guidance.

Written & reviewed by

Dr Prateek Sharma

Facelift and facial plastic surgeon in Delhi, India. MBBS from MAMC New Delhi, MS in ENT from AIIMS New Delhi, and a Commonwealth Fellow in the United Kingdom, with a focus on the deep plane facelift. Read more about Dr Prateek.

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