Facelift Frankfurt: Individual facelift for a younger look!
With increasing age, facial skin loses elasticity and resilience. This natural ageing process often first manifests itself in the form of small lines and wrinkles around the eyes, neck, mouth and nose, which deepen over the years. Later on, the facial skin around the eyes and cheeks can increasingly sag and form drooping eyelids, bags under the eyes or sagging cheeks, blurring the contours of the face.
As these changes often make people look unflattering and older, many people look for ways to change this. For a long-term effect, a facelift is recommended, as offered by specialist Dr. Nichlos in his practice. In this routine and very low-risk procedure, the sagging tissue is surgically lifted and the original contours restored.
For a very natural-looking result, a plastic surgery expert with high aesthetic standards like Dr. Nichlos is the right person for you. Arrange a consultation for a facelift in Frankfurt directly online!
Reviewed by the author
Dr. Emmanouil Nichlos is a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery and hand surgery with over 16 years of clinical experience. After working as a senior physician and head of a surgical department at Markus Hospital in Frankfurt, he founded his own practice in Frankfurt in 2025.
The content on this page has been personally reviewed by Dr. Nichlos. It is based on his many years of medical experience and is in line with current specialist standards.
The facelift:
At a glance
Financing
Table of contents
Introduction
What is a facelift?
A facelift is a facial surgery procedure used to tighten and visually rejuvenate the face. A facelift is always considered when there are clear signs of skin ageing in the facial area that the patient does not want to put up with. These include, for example, severely sagging facial skin or visible wrinkles that cannot be reduced with other methods.
Typical treatment areas for a face lift are the forehead, eyelids, cheeks, jawline and neck. This is where the signs of ageing of the skin show up earliest and most clearly. Depending on the initial condition and desired result, plastic surgery offers various methods that can be used for a facelift.
What are the reasons for a facelift?
Women and men usually come to us for aesthetic reasons. They are often dissatisfied with the first signs of ageing, which can manifest themselves in various ways. Typical signs of ageing and the associated loss of elasticity and resilience are a marked sagging of the skin (e.g. sagging cheeks), deep wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes or even a double chin. They make the face appear older, sometimes even tired or sad and often awaken the desire for a younger appearance.
Methods
What methods are available for a facelift?
We have various procedures available for a facelift.
Mini facelift (minilift)
The so-called mini facelift (minilift) is used to correct mild to moderate sagging of the skin. The focus here is on the cheeks and the lower third of the face. Dr. Nichlos only makes small incisions for this procedure, which means that the duration of the operation and downtime are correspondingly short.
Midface lift
The midface lift focuses on the cheek region. Here, the plastic surgeon tightens the area between the lower eyelids and the upper lip and can combine this with an eyelid lift if required.
Eyebrow lift / forehead lift
If the focus is to be on the upper third of the face, an eyebrow lift, for example, is a good option, in which the eyebrows are lifted to create a more open, alert look. This partial lift is often part of a forehead lift. In this procedure, not only the eyebrows are lifted, but the entire forehead region is tightened. In this way, horizontal forehead wrinkles and/or vertical frown lines can be smoothed out at the same time.
SMAS-Lift
The classic facelift is the so-called SMAS facelift. This tightens the skin as well as the deeper structures such as the tissue layers and muscles and also includes the cheeks, jawline and neck in the treatment. By lifting the facial contours, a long-lasting, natural result can be achieved.
Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane facelift is just as demanding as it is effective. In contrast to the classic facelift, not only the skin but also the underlying tissue is tightened or lifted. This allows for a more natural tightening in the mid and lower facial area and has a significant effect on sagging cheeks and visible wrinkles in particular. With a deep plane facelift, the face is treated and rejuvenated in its entirety without altering the natural facial features.
Which method is used in your case depends on the extent of the lift (e.g. only the cheek wrinkles or the entire face including the neck lift) and other factors such as your age and the condition of your skin. It often makes sense to combine several techniques in order to achieve an optimally harmonious result. Let Dr. Nichlos advise you in a personal consultation as to which method(s) are best suited to you.
Preparation
What happens before the facelift?
Before a facelift, it is important to know your reasons and expectations and to inform you in detail about the possible treatment methods. To do this, come to our practice in Frankfurt for a detailed consultation.
During the consultation appointment, Dr. Nichlos will examine you thoroughly and discuss with you which facelift technique is best suited to your wishes and which is best suited to optimally tighten your facial features. The surgeon will explain the exact course of treatment, which anesthesia is best for you and will also discuss the possible risks and complications associated with a facelift in Frankfurt. He can also show you before and after pictures of operations that have already been carried out.
As part of the non-binding consultation, Dr. Nichlos will also draw up an individual treatment plan and a cost estimate for you. If you decide to have the procedure, further examinations (including blood tests and an ECG) are usually required.
If there are no health reasons preventing you from having a facelift in Frankfurt, you can prepare for the operation. If possible, abstain from nicotine and alcohol one to two weeks before the operation. Very important: If you are taking blood-thinning medication, you must inform us of this in advance, as well as of any other illnesses or allergies.
Procedure
Facelift: How does the operation work?
We perform the facelift in the operating rooms of the Berger Klinik in Frankfurt. Depending on the extent of the procedure, it takes 2-5 hours and is usually performed under twilight sedation or, if desired, under general anesthesia.
As soon as the anaesthetic has taken effect and you are asleep, Dr. Nichlos begins to make the carefully marked and very fine incisions. These usually run along the hairline or behind the ears so that the fine scars are not visible later.
The incision is used to tighten the skin – usually together with the underlying connective and fatty tissue – in order to reduce wrinkles and smooth the skin. The resulting excess skin is then removed. At the end of the operation, Dr. Nichlos sutures the incisions with very fine stitches and, if necessary, inserts drainage tubes behind the ears to allow the wound fluid to drain away.
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Testimonials from our patients
Aftercare
What happens after the facelift?
As a rule, you will stay with us at the Berger Klinik for one to two days for observation after the facelift. After the facelift, you will still wear a special head bandage, which we will remove together with the drains after two days if everything goes well.
Do not be irritated by your appearance immediately after the facelift. Swelling, redness or slight bruising are completely normal reactions and usually subside within 1-2 weeks. This also applies to slight feelings of numbness in the face, which you may experience immediately after the operation. Tightness around the sutures is also completely normal and usually subsides after a few days.
Initially, the mobility of your head and face may still be somewhat restricted. Therefore, try to avoid movement as much as possible during this time and keep your head as high as possible when sleeping. We will remove the stitches approximately 10 days after the facelift.
After about a week, you can start with scar care and light massages. Support the healing process by giving your body plenty of rest and avoiding all strenuous activities such as sport and housework for about 4 weeks. Also avoid direct sunlight and UV rays (solarium) during this time.
Please be sure to attend the follow-up appointments at our practice in Frankfurt so that Dr. Nichlos can monitor the healing process.
If necessary, the facelift can be combined with other treatments to optimize the result. For example, a combination with procedures that improve the appearance of the skin, such as microneedling or laser treatment, is popular. However, these should not be carried out too soon, but only a few weeks or months after the facelift, when all swelling has subsided and healing is complete. Only when the final result is visible can further treatments be planned.
Risks
What are the risks associated with a facelift?
If the facelift is performed by an experienced plastic and aesthetic surgeon such as Dr. Nichlos, the risks are low. However, as with any other surgical procedure, there are general surgical risks. These include bleeding, bruising, wound healing disorders and infections as well as numbness or tightness.
In rare individual cases, complications such as temporary or permanent nerve damage, temporary and permanent paralysis of individual facial regions or circulatory disorders can also occur during a face and/or neck lift.
Find out more about the right facelift method
Read the blog article to find out the difference between a mini facelift and a classic facelift and which method is suitable for whom. Read more now.
Consultation appointment
Facelift Frankfurt: Book a consultation now!
You have to come to terms with your age, but the accompanying symptoms such as wrinkles or sagging skin can now be stopped with the help of aesthetic plastic surgery. You are in good hands with Dr. Nichlos. The expert has many years of experience in performing face lifts and will be happy to help you. Simply make an appointment for a consultation at our practice!
Practice location & directions – Frankfurt Westend
You can easily plan your route to our practice at Grüneburgweg 95, 60323 Frankfurt am Main using the integrated Google Maps map. If you are arriving by car, we recommend the Palmengarten parking garage in the immediate vicinity.
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Frequently asked questions
about the facelift:
- What is a facelift and when does it make sense?
There are no strict age limits for a facelift. However, it is advisable not to have a facelift performed too young. Dr. Nichlos recommends a facelift only from the age of around 40-45. The first signs of skin ageing, such as fine lines and small wrinkles, can also be treated very well with other, non-invasive methods. One example of this is injections with botulinum toxin(Botox®) or hyaluronic acid, which can be used to reduce various types of wrinkles such as forehead wrinkles or frown lines.
- How long do the results of a facelift last?
The longevity of a facelift depends on the condition of your skin and your lifestyle. Excessively long or frequent exposure to direct sunlight, an unhealthy diet, alcohol and nicotine consumption cause the skin to age more quickly, which even a facelift cannot prevent. However, if your skin is in good condition and you lead a healthy lifestyle, you can expect the results of the operation to last for around 10-15 years on average.
- Can a facelift be repeated if necessary?
Yes, a facelift can be performed again after a long period of time. However, the procedure should not be carried out too often, as it becomes increasingly difficult to tighten the skin and the face loses its natural appearance.
- Which anesthesia is used for a facelift?
Depending on the procedure, the facelift can be performed under local anesthesia with twilight sleep or under general anesthesia. While minor procedures such as a mini facelift can also be performed under light anesthesia, general anesthesia is usually recommended for more extensive procedures – such as the deep plane facelift – in order to offer patients maximum comfort.
- Can a facelift be combined with non-invasive treatment methods?
Yes, this is certainly possible and can complement the result. A facelift is often combined with an eyelid lift, Botox® or hyaluronic acid treatments. Skin improvement procedures – such as laser or microneedling – are also conceivable at a later stage. It is important to plan a coordinated schedule so that the healing process is not disrupted.
- What methods of face lifting does Dr. Nichlos offer?
In Dr. Nichlos’ practice, various procedures are used – depending on the extent of skin ageing and the desired result. The methods offered include the mini facelift, midface lift, SMAS facelift, deep plane facelift and partial lifts such as the forehead lift or eyebrow lift. The aim of each method is to achieve a natural result with the shortest possible downtime.
- What is the difference between a mini facelift and a deep plane facelift?
The mini facelift is a gentle procedure that removes minor excess skin in the lower face – ideal for the first signs of ageing. The deep plane facelift, on the other hand, goes deeper: not only skin, but also connective tissue and muscles are repositioned. This technique is particularly suitable for severely sagging skin, for example in the middle and lower third of the face, and offers very long-lasting results.
- How does a facelift work and how long does the operation take?
A facelift is usually performed under general anesthesia or twilight sleep. The duration depends on the method chosen: A mini facelift takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, a deep plane facelift around 3.5 hours or longer. Through fine, inconspicuous incisions – usually in the area of the hairline or behind the ears – the skin is tightened, excess tissue is removed and the face is recontoured. This is followed by fine sutures and a bandage.
- Is a facelift associated with pain?
Patients do not feel any pain during the procedure itself – thanks to modern anesthetic procedures. In the first few days after the operation, there may be a feeling of tension, swelling or slight bruising. However, these symptoms can be treated well and usually subside within a few days. If necessary, Dr. Nichlos supports the healing process with accompanying measures such as lymphatic drainage.
- How long does healing take after a facelift?
The initial healing phase after a facelift usually lasts 10 to 14 days. During this time, swelling, bruising and feelings of tension gradually subside. Slight restrictions in facial expressions or chewing are normal in the first few days. Complete recovery can take several weeks, depending on the skin type and the method used. Regular follow-up appointments help to optimally support the healing process.
- What are the risks of a facelift?
As with any surgical procedure, complications can also occur during a facelift – e.g. bruising, swelling, wound healing disorders or temporary loss of sensation. More serious risks such as nerve irritation are rare. Dr. Nichlos attaches great importance to providing his patients with detailed information and follows them closely during aftercare.
- How much does a facelift with Dr. Nichlos in Frankfurt cost?
The cost of a facelift varies depending on the method and complexity. A mini facelift starts at around 5,500 euros (plus anesthesia and overnight costs if necessary), while a deep plane facelift starts at around 9,000 euros. In a personal consultation, Dr. Nichlos will draw up an individual treatment and cost plan that contains all the details transparently.