Facelift Surgery in Leeds & Yorkshire

A Facelift aims to reduce sagging in your face and neck. There are lots of different types of facelift techniques, each with their own merits. Recently the tendency has been towards less invasive procedures with smaller incisions and less downtime.
5.0 Stars · 88 Reviews
GMC Registered
NHS Consultant
Home / Face / Facelift

Procedures

Short scar facelifts.

Short scar facelifts, like low SMAS, high SMAS, R-lift, and MACS lift, avoid scars under the chin or behind the ear. They focus on lifting the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) with minimal incisions. Sometimes, a longer scar is necessary for more neck improvement.
Book a consultation
<i>Short scar</i> facelifts”>
                    </div>
                </div>
                            <div class=

Procedures

Deep-plane facelift.

The Deep-plane facelift involves longer scars and deeper tissue repositioning, providing a more harmonious and durable result by lifting both skin and underlying structures.
Book a consultation
<i>Deep-plane</i> facelift”>
                    </div>
                </div>
                            <div class=

Procedures

Personalised approach.

I offer various facelift techniques tailored to different aging stages and areas, ensuring a personalised approach. We can discuss and decide the best option for you. Additionally, facelifts can be combined with procedures for the eyes and brow/forehead for a comprehensive rejuvenation.

Procedures

Book a consultation
<i>Personalised</i> approach”>
                    </div>
                </div>
                </div>
</section>


<section class=

Who is a facelift for.

Women/Men are usually aged 45 and above with concerns about wrinkly necks, jowling, sagging of the cheeks and drooping of their mouth.
Facelifts can be performed in patients along with other cosmetic surgery such as eyelid surgery or brow lifting. A combination approach offers a more complete facial rejuvenation but it must be carefully considered as it increases recovery time significantly.
A good trick to see if a short scar facelift will work for you is to gently place a finger on the angle of your jaw and either side and raise both fingers up to the level of your earhole. If you like what you see then you may benefit from this type of facelift.
A facelift is best performed in people who have a stable weight and do not smoke.
A facelift is not for someone who has concerns about fine wrinkles around their mouth, eyes and forehead. These require different techniques that can be discussed at your consultation.
A good to trick to see if you would benefit from a deep plane facelift is to place your middle finger on your cheekbones, your index finger on the corner of your jaw, and your and your thumb under your chin and lift up and back. IF you like the added improvement in your neck and cheekbones then then you may more likely benefit from a full facelift such as a deep plane facelift.

Procedure Overview.

PROCEDURE TIME

3.5-6 hours.

HOSPITAL TIME

1 night.

WORK OFF TIME

1-2 weeks.

NO gym FOR

2 weeks.

NO DRIVING

2 days.

GARMENT

1 week.

FOLLOW UP

1,2,6,12 weeks.
1.

The Consultation.

The consultation is where we talk about what you like and don’t like, and what exactly it is you want to achieve. Many patients who come asking for a facelift actually need something else to address the areas they are bothered by. I will examine your face and neck region before taking some photographs. These will then be used to help guide our discussion about your options. . You will be shown a presentation with post-operative photos and details about the procedure. I will also give you advice on ageing and if necessary recommend alternatives to surgery. The consultation can be long and detailed so it is supplemented by leaflets and a comprehensive clinic letter for you to read at your leisure. You will be sent a quote separately by the hospital.

2.

The Planning.

You will have a second consultation free of charge where we discuss the procedure in more detail, answer any questions and prepare you for your surgery. If everyone is happy then we complete your consent form.

This is a good opportunity for a friend to come for support. We advise no holiday abroad within two months of surgery.

3.

The Procedure.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic. I like my patients to have an overnight stay so that I can remove your dressings the following day and see your result! We then let you go home with a protective bespoke facelift garment.

4.

The Aftercare.

Most of the stitches are dissolvable and I don’t use drains. You will be followed up with a courtesy e-mail at 48-hours to troubleshoot any issues. At one week you will have your sutures removed. You are then seen regularly until your scars have settled.

Patient reviews

Patient reviews

5.0 stars 5.0 from 88 verified reviews
iWantGreatCare Certificate of Excellence 2025 iWantGreatCare Certificate of Excellence 2025
View all on IWantGreatCare →
5 stars
I had a Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty in February 2020. Mr Holmes was amazing from the first consultation to my last check up. I couldn’t recommend him more. I felt at ease the whole time, considering it been a sizeable operation. He explained everything so thoroughly, so much so that I wasn’t left with any…
5 stars
Mr Holmes was professional yet friendly from my very first appointment. He listened to my concerns and answered any questions with ease. He talked me through my surgery, drawing diagrams to make it clear. I am very happy with my constructed breast and every aspect of the care I received.
5 stars
Firstly, I would like to emphasise I always felt like a person and not a number. I felt fully informed at every stage and empowered to ask questions and make decisions about my own treatment and care. Mr Holmes accommodated my requests and supported my decisions wherever possible. I have now purchased my first bra…

Ready to take the next step?

Join hundreds of patients who’ve trusted Mr Holmes with their care. Consultations in York and Leeds.

My approach

Procedure risks.

Immediate Risks.

  • Pain that is mild and controlled with over the counter medications
  • Minor skin infection that can be treated easily with antibiotics. Severe infection requiring hospital is very, very rare.
  • Bleeding is much less with an R-lift and patients experience minimal bruising
  • Risk of general anaesthetic such a pulmonary embolism or heart attack is very rare but we reduce this even more by ensuring your are optimised for surgery and don’t have any risks factors.

Early Risks.

  • Skin loss around the scars – this is rare but can results in scabbed areas that take many weeks to heal and can leave noticeable scars. This can be treated later with minor corrective surgery.
  • Hair loss can occur at the site of the scars
  • Noticeable scars – they sit just in front of the hairline and he ear and can be noticeable at a close distance initially
  • Skin colour changes – very rare and can be easily covered up with makeup

Late Risks.

  • Recurrence of loose skin – a facelift doesn’t last forever. Your longevity of result will depend on your lifestyle and maintenance regime.
  • Over or under correction – this is dirt more to what a r-lift can and can’t do. We will discuss this at length at your consultation to ensure you are aware what the result will be.
  • Facial nerve damage. This is he most feared complication, resulting in permanent disfigurement, but fortunately extremely rare with this type of facelift technique as we do not operate near it.
  • Cosmetic problems scubas pixie ear or stretched scars. – These are a nuisance and can be usually corrected with a minor surgical adjustment.
  • Numb earlobes – the is usually temporary but can make putting earrings on tricky.
Book a consultation
GMC Registered · NHS Consultant · No obligation

Interested in a
Facelift?

If you are interested to learn more, and would like to come for a face-to-face or virtual chat, please send me and my team a message, and we can get in touch to arrange your consultation.



    Facelift FAQs.

    How long does facelift surgery take?.

    A facelift typically takes 3–5 hours depending on the technique and extent of surgery.

    What is the recovery time after a facelift?.

    Most patients take 2–3 weeks off work. Swelling and bruising resolve over 4–6 weeks, with final results visible at 3–6 months.

    Are facelift results permanent?.

    Facelift results are long-lasting but not permanent — ageing continues after surgery. Most patients enjoy results for 7–10 years or more.

    Can a facelift be done under local anaesthetic?.

    Yes — some facelift techniques can be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation, reducing recovery time. Mr Holmes discusses the best approach at consultation.

    Where is facelift surgery performed in Leeds?.

    Surgery is performed at Spire Methley Park Hospital, Methley Lane, Leeds, LS26 9HG. Mr Holmes also consults at Coppergate Clinic, York.

    Is Mr Will Holmes GMC registered?.

    Yes — Mr Will JM Holmes is fully GMC-registered, holds FRCS (Plast), and is a member of BAPRAS and BAAPS. He is an NHS Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust.

    Facelift Surgery in Leeds, York & Yorkshire.

    Mr Will JM Holmes performs facelift surgery at Spire Methley Park Hospital, Leeds (LS26 9HG) and consults at Coppergate Clinic, York (YO1 9NR). Patients travel from across Yorkshire — including Harrogate, Wakefield, Bradford, Hull and Sheffield — to consult with Mr Holmes.

    As a full-time NHS Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS Plast), Mr Holmes brings a level of training and experience rarely found in private-only practice. He is registered with BAPRAS, BAAPS and PHIN, and holds a 5.0★ rating across 88 patient reviews on iWantGreatCare.

    • Facial surgery Leeds — Spire Methley Park Hospital, LS26 9HG
    • Facial surgery York — Coppergate Clinic, YO1 9NR
    • Patients from Harrogate, Wakefield, Bradford, Hull & Sheffield welcome

    To book a consultation, call 01134 601796 or use the contact form below.