How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

The average cost of a facelift (rhytidectomy) is $17,690, but the price can range from just $5,600 to as much as $50,000, according to 356 patient reviews on RealSelf.

Some Instagram-famous facelift surgeons charge outrageous prices—upwards of $100,000—for deep-plane facelifts, which lift and sculpt the deeper layers of the face and neck. The good news is that there are plenty of talented, qualified plastic surgeons who operate for more reasonable rates. 

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons puts the cost of a facelift at $9,281, but they note that’s just the average surgeon’s fee. Additional fees for the operating room, anesthesia, and follow-ups can add thousands to your final cost.

This elective cosmetic procedure isn’t covered by health insurance.

Read on to learn:

• what to look for in an all-in cost quote
• why prices vary so widely
• what percentage of patients say their results were worth it
• average facelift costs by state and major metro

Related: Everything You Need to Know About a Facelift

What to look for in a facelift price quote

A quote you get over the phone (without being seen by a surgeon or discussing your goals) may just be the surgeon’s fee, not the full price.

During an in-office consultation, your prospective surgeon should discuss your concerns, listen to your goals, and recommend a personalized treatment plan for your facelift surgery (rhytidectomy). Make sure you understand the scope of their recommended procedure and the expected longevity of the results.

They should then provide you with a breakdown of your full cost estimate. Request a written, all-in price quote that includes:

• the consultation fee (often applied to the cost of your procedure)
• the surgeon’s fee
• facility fees for the surgery center or operating room, as well as surgical supplies
• anesthesia fees
• follow-up care

Also ask:

• whether you’ll need to budget for any prescription medications, pre-op tests, or recovery supplies
• how your surgeon handles the cost of a potential revision surgery, in case you have a complication or concerns about your results. (Some surgeons charge reconstructive surgery fees for facelift revisions when the original procedure was performed by another surgeon.)

Is the cost of a facelift worth it?

Facelift surgery has a 92% Worth It Rating, meaning that a majority of patients who reviewed it on RealSelf thought their results were worthy of the hefty price tag. Facial plastic surgeons also tell us that an expertly performed surgical lift is the most effective, long-lasting facial rejuvenation procedure.

Happy reviewers commonly cite natural-looking results with dramatic transformations that make them look years (or even a decade younger), giving them a major confidence boost.

Among those who say their results were not worth it, some say they saw little change, while others were disappointed by more sagging skin, asymmetry, or even complications like facial nerve injury. 

If you have minimal sagging, you may be a good candidate for a mini facelift, which typically addresses the jawline but not the midface or neck. Results aren’t as dramatic or long-lasting as they are with a traditional facelift, but mini facelift costs can be thousands of dollars less, with a shorter scar and easier recovery.

To determine which procedure is right for you and to get an accurate estimate of your total cost, consult with at least one qualified facial plastic surgeon who can examine your face and neck—ideally in person.

Why facelift surgery costs vary

Your rhytidectomy price will depend heavily on your anatomy, goals, the type of facelift you get, and your surgeon's experience, reputation, and technique.

These are the biggest factors that will influence your facelift price.

1) The complexity of your procedure.

Most modern facelifts:

• lift sagging skin and tissues
• reposition underlying muscles
• remove excess skin (and sometimes fat) to smooth creases and restore more youthful contours

Full facelifts and lower facelifts typically include a neck lift.

Unless you’re opting for a mini lift, most modern facelift surgeries are SMAS lifts or deep plane facelifts, which tighten the underlying facial muscles before tailoring and redraping the skin. The skin-only facelifts of the past have largely fallen out of favor, as results were found to be short-lived and unnatural-looking (think “wind-blown”).

Both SMAS and deep plane techniques remove jowls, sharpen the jawline, tighten the neck, and smooth deep folds for a much more youthful appearance—and longer-lasting results.  

Your surgeon’s expertise and training will determine the type of facelift they’re most adept at performing. Doctors on RealSelf agree that no two facelift procedures are performed in the same way, which accounts for the wide cost range. Some require more time, which makes them more expensive. 

During an extended deep plane facelift, for instance, surgeons typically release various ligaments to achieve a more significant mid-face lift. 

Some versions of a SMAS facelift, on the other hand, may entail only some minor folding and tacking of the SMAS layer closer to the ears, which takes less time and expertise.

This is one reason it can be beneficial to consult with more than one facial plastic surgeon: they may recommend different treatment plans, with very different price tags and end results.

RealSelf Tip: In recent years, plastic surgeons have been talking more about the potential for nonsurgical treatments to complicate future facelifts. When treatments like Sculptra or Ultherapy are overused or performed inappropriately, they can disturb the normal tissue planes of the face, increasing the complexity and duration of facelift surgery. Some surgeons now charge revision rates to operate on faces that have had many nonsurgical procedures prior to a facelift.

2) Any complementary procedures you have at the same time.

A facelift addresses just the cheeks, lower face, and the neck. Patients often pair a facelift with other cosmetic procedures to address other signs of aging and enhance their result. 

Your surgeon may recommend one or more of these popular add-ons:

• A brow lift
• Eyelid surgery
• A lip lift or augmentation
• Laser resurfacing, or another skin rejuvenation treatment
• Facial fat grafting or dermal fillers, to restore volume
• Rhinoplasty (nose job)
• Liposuction

Each additional procedure will add to your total face and neck lift cost. On the other hand, you also save money on anesthesia and facility fees by combining multiple procedures vs. having them individually.

RealSelf Tip: Prior to a facelift, your surgeon may require you to dissolve old hyaluronic acid filler, so they can get a better idea of your baseline anatomy. Dissolving before surgery can also help prevent prolonged swelling post-op. Even if you had filler years ago, ask if you’ll need to factor this into your facelift budget.

3) Your surgeon’s reputation and level of experience.

Cheap facelift surgery is often advertised by general surgeons who market themselves as cosmetic surgeons.

Yes, it costs more to go to an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon. But their extensive training and deeper experience means you’ll have a much better chance of a safe procedure, with natural-looking results that can last for a decade or more.

It’s possible to get facelift revision surgery if you don’t like your result, but it can be very expensive—and there’s a risk of getting unnatural-looking results from repeated procedures. Beverly Hills, California, plastic surgeon Dr. Brent Moelleken warns that you really get only one shot at good facelift results. “Patients cannot just get a bad facelift redone. Do not skimp on your facelift. See the best surgeon and do it right.”

4) Where your procedure is performed.

Facelift costs vary by U.S. state, metro area, and even neighborhood. If your surgeon practices in a major city (particularly New York City or Los Angeles) or in a luxury practice in the heart of a high-rent neighborhood, you’ll probably pay more. 

Facelifts performed by surgeons who practice in smaller cities or less affluent geographic locations are typically more affordable.

For example:

• A full facelift paired with either fat grafting or a neck lift in Austin, Texas at the Austin Plastic Surgeon MedSpa may cost just over $16,000. When pairing a traditional facelift with a neck lift and blepharoplasty, the procedure typically costs just over $18,000.
• Even within the same state, it's possible for prices to vary by zip code. For instance, Houston, Texas plastic surgeon Dr. Sanaz Harirchian says her face lift prices range from $11,000 to $15,000.
• In Tijuana, Mexico, Dr. Alejandro Quiroz says that the average price of a facelift in his practice is around $9,000. "Patients always ask why surgery is cheaper here in Mexico, and the answer is that the overhead fees are less," explains Dr. Quiroz. "We don't have the same expenses, wages are much lower, and all the overhead [costs] are a lot lower [than the United States]." If you go this route, be sure to thoroughly research your surgeon before booking the appointment, as there are always risks involved with medical tourism.
• According to Boca Raton, Florida plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ress, “prices for most plastic surgery procedures are less expensive in South Florida than in New York or California, where prices are almost double.”

5) The type of surgical facility.

Having your surgery in an accredited outpatient surgery center rather than a hospital operating room could save you money. Just make sure your surgeon has privileges at a nearby hospital, in case something goes wrong.

Boston plastic surgeon Dr. Brooke Seckel prefers to perform all facelifts in a hospital operating room for safety reasons. “There, I have the backup if any problems arise,” she says.

6) The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it.

Most full facelifts are performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia. Both options are more expensive than local anesthesia, but you may be more comfortable being fully unconscious for this surgical procedure.

You’ll pay a higher anesthesia fee for an anesthesiologist (an MD) than for a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Both are qualified to administer anesthesia, but anesthesiologists have more training, so some doctors prefer them.

Financing options

Most practices offer monthly payment plans or accept financing options for elective cosmetic procedures like this one.

The CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures. During your consultation, ask which options the practice recommends.

Average facelift costs by state

Browse average facelift costs and ranges by state, according to the 598 most recent RealSelf reviews as of February 2023. (Note: In the map image, blank states don't have enough recent data to display.)

Facelift costs by major U.S. metro