Are fibrin glue facelifts rarely done?

As other answers have pointed out, there is no such thing as a fibrin glue facelift.Rather, fibrin "glue" (usually used as the brand name Artiss) is a medication used during facelifts to reduce bruising and swelling.  It is a liquid that is applied under the skin near the very end of the procedure just before the final sutures are placed to close the incisions.  The fibrin part of the solution helps to reduce oozing which in turn reduces bruising.  That plus the adhesive quality of the Artiss solution also help to reduce swelling.The other key benefit that some surgeons do not realize is that the fibrin glue helps to support the skin and minimize tension on the incision lines which can be one more helpful thing to minimize scars.The next benefit is that by using Artiss there is no need to place drains under the skin which then have to be pulled out a few days later.  Nobody likes that.I routinely use Artiss with my facelift patients and have been very happy with the added benefit.  Cost for the fibrin glue material is only around $300 for the amount needed in a facelift, so overall that really does not have a big impact when you think of the potential benefits and the ability to not have to place drains.

Fibrin glue facelifts are something that some certain surgeons use to encourage healing, but it's not everyone's preference. I think it's important to talk to your surgeon about this.

Remember, a face lift is a surgical procedure. The indication is fallen or ptotic facial skin and soft tissues. Once the procedure is just about completed, the facial skin has to be secured back in place, eg. in front of the ear. This can be accomplished with sutures and sometimes staples. An alternate technique is to use fibrin, a commercial human derived glue. It is costly but may eliminate the need for a drain. Most surgeon prefer sutures. Don't get caught up in sales and marketing