How Much Does a Lower Facelift Cost?

The average cost of a lower facelift is $12,408, but the price can range from $4,100 and as high as $24,406, according to 128 patient reviews on RealSelf.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons doesn’t distinguish between different types of facelifts (lower, mid, full, etc.) and cites an average cost of $11,395, stipulating that this is just the surgeon’s fee. Anesthesia, facility fees, or related expenses can increase your total price tag by thousands.

This elective cosmetic procedure isn't covered by insurance. If cost is a barrier, you may want to consider plastic surgery financing options. Some facial plastic surgery practices also offer monthly payment plans.

Read on to learn how the cost compares to a full facelift, whether patients say the results are worth the expense, and all the factors that could impact your lower facelift price.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About a Lower Facelift

How the cost compares to a full facelift or neck lift

A lower facelift addresses the earliest, most common signs of facial aging by:

• creating a more defined jawline
• reducing the appearance of jowls
• removing loose skin
• getting rid of a double chin

The surgical procedure is very similar to what surgeons often call a mini facelift, though a mini lift is usually even less involved and has a lower average cost.

An experienced facial plastic surgeon will be able to talk you through the benefits of each type of facelift procedure and recommend the best treatment plan to improve your most visible signs of aging. Not every patient is a good candidate for every type of facelift, so the choice should be customized to your anatomy and goals.

• A mid facelift (or cheek lift) addresses the zone between the lower eyelids and the upper lip. Average cost: $8,425
• A traditional full facelift (aka rhytidectomy) tightens, smooths, and elevates the skin and muscle layer throughout the face and neck. Average cost: $12,625
• A deep plane facelift combines a mid facelift, lower facelift, and neck lift to rejuvenate the cheeks, nasolabial folds, jawline, and neck for a youthful appearance overall. Because the deep plane lift is in demand and results of this cosmetic surgery are usually long-lasting and natural looking, it tends to be the most expensive option. Average cost: $17,175
• A brow lift repositions the brow to a more youthful position while smoothing forehead creases and sometimes removing excess skin via incisions in the hairline. Average cost: $7,500
• A neck lift (aka platysmaplasty) lifts sagging skin along the entire neck and tightens the platysma muscle to eliminate banding and “turkey neck.” Average cost: $8,675

Combining a lower facelift with a brow lift and/or neck lift will certainly inflate your bill, but if you’re planning to have multiple procedures, it’s most cost effective to combine them in a single operation. Some plastic surgeons offer a discounted rate on each additional procedure, and you’ll save money on the facility and anesthesia fees.

Is a lower facelift worth the money?

Lower facelifts have a 93% Worth It Rating on RealSelf, meaning that most reviewers were happy with their outcome.

Many who say it was "Worth It" reported that they had natural-looking results that made them look younger, which improved their self-confidence.

Among those who rated their results "Not Worth It," several lamented a lack of skill and care from their surgeon. Some cited complications like infections, scarring, and asymmetry.

The up-front cost of lower facelift surgery is significantly more than noninvasive facial rejuvenation treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, and nonsurgical skin tightening, which offer temporary results. 

However, a successful surgery can be much more effective at treating concerns like jowls, skin laxity, and a double chin. It may also be a more cost-effective option in the long run because results can last up to a decade.

If you're weighing whether or not this is the right procedure for you, talk to an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon to make sure you're a good candidate, with realistic expectations about what this procedure can achieve.

Why lower facelift costs vary

The price you'll pay for a lower facelift procedure will depend on these factors.

1) Your plastic surgeon’s credentials, reputation, and level of expertise.

A surgeon’s experience, reputation, and credentials direclty influence their fees.

An experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who's in high demand will charge a higher surgeon's fee than those with less training and experience, but bargain shopping for a surgeon can increase your risk of complications and poor results.

Be especially wary of physicians who market themselves as "cosmetic surgeons" but don't have the same level of training as a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon.

Many plastic surgeons offer complimentary consultations or apply the consult fee to the cost of your procedure. Given how much you may spend and how visible your results will be, it can be well worth spending the money to consult with two or more surgeons before you make your choice.

Take into account not only the cost quote they give you, but also their before and after photos, reviews, bedside manner, how much time they spend answering your questions, and how much they personalize your treatment plan.

Even if you’re traveling for your procedure, have a virtual consultation and speak directly to the surgeon, not just their patient coordinator.

2) The complexity of your surgery.

Every lower facelift procedure should be tailored specifically to the patient’s anatomy and desired result. The more complex the surgery, the more you may pay.

For example, your provider may recommend combining your surgical facelift with other cosmetic procedures, such as a neck lift, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), rhinoplasty, facial liposuction, fat grafting, or injectables to create the most natural-looking outcome.

As we mentioned earlier, each additional facial plastic surgery procedure will add to your total cost, but some providers offer a discount if you have them at the same time.

3) Where your lower facelift is performed.

Providers who practice in expensive areas, like New York City and Beverly Hills, have higher overhead costs for things like rent, staff salaries, and even supplies. Those costs get passed on to patients.

Prices can vary by neighborhood. If you’re looking for reasonable rates and want to stay local (rather than going out-of-state), it can be worthwhile to avoid luxury set-ups in the heart of the city and seek out a qualified surgeon who practices in a more affordable area.

Facility fees can also vary depending on whether you’re having your procedure performed in-office, at a private surgical center, or in a hospital operating room (the priciest option).

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

Your cost quote should include fees for the anesthesia itself, related supplies, and the anesthesia provider.

A lower facelift can be performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation, which can be administered by your surgeon or a trained member of their staff.

With this option, you'd be technically awake but very relaxed and sleepy, with no pain during the procedure.

General anesthesia and IV sedation are more expensive options, but some doctors prefer the patient to be unconscious so there’s no chance of movement during the procedure.

You’ll pay a higher anesthesia fee if it’s administered by an anesthesiologist (a medical doctor) than for a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Both types of providers are considered qualified, but anesthesiologists have more training, so some doctors prefer them.

Lower facelift costs in U.S. states

Browse average lower facelift costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Lower facelift costs in major U.S. metros