Types of Facelifts in Barcelona: A Guide to Cervicofacial, Regional, and Mini-Facelifts
How can you restore your face's firmness without losing your natural expression?
Over the years, facial aging does not occur solely on the surface of the skin. Due to the effects of gravity, facial muscles lose firmness, and the natural fat that gives us volume shifts downward.
Fortunately, modern facial surgery is no longer limited to simply “tightening the skin” as it was in the past. Today, we work in depth to return each structure to its original position. Understanding the different types of facelifts will help you discover which option is ideal for restoring your face’s freshness, firmness, and harmony, while always maintaining the naturalness of your expression.
At Turó Park Aesthetic, we conduct a personalized analysis of each face’s anatomy before any surgery. The goal is not to change your facial features or alter your appearance, but to return sagging tissues to their original position. In this way, we achieve a fresh, firm, and long-lasting result, always preserving the naturalness of your expression in a safe medical setting.
What you need to know about treatment
Types of Facelifts in Barcelona with the Surgical Team at Turó Park Clinics
Choosing a facial surgical technique requires the expertise of surgeons with extensive experience in the anatomy of the neck and face. At our center, located in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, the procedures for facial cosmetic surgery are performed by internationally renowned surgeons such as Dr. Alejandro Mazarro, Dr. Lloyd Nanhekhan, and Dr. Oriol Cases.
During the consultation, the medical team assesses the degree of skin laxity, muscle tone, and each patient’s expectations. This allows them to determine precisely whether the best approach involves comprehensive treatment of the face and neck, a region-specific procedure, or a minimally invasive technique with a quick recovery time.
What are the main types of facelifts, and how do they differ?
Although there are various ways to perform this surgery according to the medical literature, a facelift is always tailored to the area we need to treat, the depth at which we work, and the size of the small incisions.
Clinically, we classify these techniques into three main categories: the cervicofacial lift (for the entire face and neck), the regional lift (focused on specific areas such as the temples, cheekbones, or neck), and the mini-lift (designed for the first signs of sagging).
Below, we’ve summarized the main features of each procedure so you can find out which one best suits your needs:
- Main Anatomical Area: Middle third, lower third (entire face), and entire neck
- Clinical goal: Overall rejuvenation, definition of the facial contour, and correction of neck sagging.
- Duration of the procedure: 5 hours
- Type of anesthesia: General.
- Results: Immediate
- Effect: Long-term
- Recovery time: 14–21 days
- Main Anatomical Area: Upper third (forehead/temples) or middle third (cheekbones)
- Clinical goal: Eyebrow lift, cheek augmentation, and smoothing of the nasolabial fold.
- Duration of the procedure: 2–3 hours
- Type of anesthesia: Local with sedation or general.
- Results: Immediate
- Effect: Long-term
- Recovery time: 7–12 days
- Primary Anatomical Area: Lower third of the face and mandibular line
- Clinical objective: Correction of early sagging of the jawline and jowls.
- Duration of the procedure: 2 hours
- Type of anesthesia: Local with conscious sedation or general anesthesia.
- Results: Immediate
- Duration: Approximately 5–10 years.
- Recovery time: 5–8 days
En Turó Park Aesthetic, estamos comprometidos con tu bienestar antes, durante y después del procedimiento, asegurándote profesionalismo no solo en el tratamiento sino en el camino hacia la recuperación.
Cervicofacial Lift: Comprehensive Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck
The Cervicofacial Facelift It is the most comprehensive surgical procedure for treating moderate and advanced signs of aging holistically. As the years go by, laxity in the lower jaw area combines with sagging of the neck muscles (the platysma muscle), creating vertical bands and a loss of definition in the cervicofacial angle.
This procedure is intended for people—generally those 50 and older—who notice the following changes in their face:
- Loss of definition in the jawline: The outline of the face becomes less distinct.
- Sagging cheeks and cheekbones: The tissues lose their firmness, and the face looks more tired.
- Sagging neck and double chin: An accumulation of loose skin or sagging beneath the chin.
To resolve this issue permanently, we make small, discreet incisions in the natural preauricular and retroauricular folds. From there, we access the deep muscular layer of the face (SMAS) and the plane beneath this structure (deep-plane facelift). By repositioning and tightening this deep structure—and not just the outer skin—we restore firmness to the face, giving it a fresh, natural appearance.
In the field of cervicofacial lifts, the Deep Plane technique represents the cutting edge of facial surgery. Performed by specialized plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgeons such as Dr. Oriol Cases, Dr. Lloyd Nanhekhan, and Dr. Alejandro Mazarro, a maxillofacial surgeon, this technique releases the deep retaining ligaments of the face. This allows the fat pads and sagging muscles to be repositioned as a single unit without creating tension on the skin. The benefits include a completely natural appearance, less postoperative swelling, and results that typically last more than 10 or 15 years.
Regional Facelift: Targeted treatment for specific areas of the face
Not all patients require a comprehensive surgical approach. When the signs of aging are concentrated in a specific area, the A regional facelift allows for an anatomically precise and targeted approach, reducing both surgical time and recovery time.
It focuses on the area above the eyes:
- Forehead lift: Corrects deep wrinkles on the forehead and frown lines typically caused by muscle hyperactivity.
- Temporary facelift: It is performed through small, hidden incisions in the scalp to lift the tail of the eyebrow, smooth out “crow’s feet,” and open up the eyes in a very natural way. It is often an ideal complement to the blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery.
Rejuvenation of the midface focuses on restoring the cheekbones to their proper position. Over time, the fat pads in the cheeks shift downward due to gravity. By lifting the cheekbone area again, we achieve two major benefits at once: we directly smooth out the nasolabial fold (the line running from the nose to the mouth) and restore the cheeks’ firmness naturally, without resorting to excessive injectable fillers.
Among the regional exercises, this is one of the most useful. Like the others, it targets a specific area—in this case, the neck.
Mini Facelift: A Minimally Invasive Approach to the First Signs of Sagging
The mini-facelift (or S-Lift) (due to the small incision) is a modified, less invasive version of traditional facelift surgery. It has become extremely popular among younger patients who are beginning to notice the first signs of sagging skin.
- Minimal incisions: The scar is limited to the front of the ear and remains completely hidden from view.
- Shorter procedure: It is usually performed under local anesthesia combined with conscious sedation, allowing the patient to return home the same day without a prolonged hospital stay.
- Quick Postoperative Recovery: Swelling and inflammation are significantly reduced, allowing patients to return to their work and social routines in as little as one week.
A mini-facelift is the ideal procedure for patients between the ages of 40 and 50 who have mild to moderate sagging concentrated in the lower third of the face (loss of jawline definition and slight jowls), but who still have a firm neck without pronounced bands.
The Step-by-Step Procedure and Surgical Recovery
To ensure your maximum comfort and peace of mind, at Turó Park Clinics we follow a rigorous three-phase protocol:
During this appointment, the surgeon will thoroughly evaluate your bone structure, skin elasticity, and medical history. We’ll take clinical photographs to plan the surgery precisely and design the treatment that best suits you.
All facelift procedures are performed in fully equipped hospital operating rooms featuring the latest technology in Barcelona. The surgery lasts between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the type of facelift you need.
- The first 48 hours: We apply a soft bandage to the face to control initial swelling and prevent discomfort. During this time, it is important to rest with your head slightly elevated.
- During the first week: We remove the bandage and the stitches. Discomfort at this stage is mild and can be effectively managed with the pain medication prescribed by the medical team. In addition, depending on the specific case, it may be necessary to wear a chin strap for the first few weeks.
- Between the second and third weeks: The slight swelling and minor bruising will gradually subside. Your skin will regain its natural sensitivity, and you’ll be able to return to your social and professional life looking refreshed and rejuvenated.
Our specialists are just a click away. Schedule your initial consultation and receive a treatment plan tailored specifically for you.
What do our patients say?
Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Facelifts in Barcelona (FAQ)
There is no set biological age. The decision depends on the condition of the skin and muscle structures. A mini-facelift is typically recommended for people between the ages of 40 and 50, while a cervicofacial facelift or the Deep Plane treatments yield their best results for people aged 50 or 60 and older, when sagging is most noticeable, but this will depend on each individual case and will require a personalized evaluation by a specialist.
Modern surgical techniques place the incisions along natural anatomical creases (in front of and behind the ear, or within the scalp), making them virtually invisible. After the first few months, once the scars have matured, the marks are practically imperceptible to the naked eye.
A facelift does not stop the natural aging process, but it “turns back the clock.” A mini-facelift provides results that last between 5 and 8 years, while a deep-plane cervicofacial facelift ( Deep Planemaintains its benefits for 10 to 15 years. The patient will always look younger than they would have if they hadn’t undergone the procedure.
Yes, it’s very common. To achieve overall harmony, a facelift is usually combined in the same surgical procedure with a blepharoplasty upper eyelid surgery to correct under-eye bags, or facial lipofilling (autologous fat grafting) to restore lost volume in the cheeks and temples. Subsequently, noninvasive treatments such as Facial cosmetic procedures, such as CO2 laser treatment, can improve skin quality.
Why Choose Turó Park Clinics for Your Facelift in Barcelona
Undergoing facial surgery is an important decision that requires complete trust in the medical team and the facility. At Turó Park Clinics, we offer our patients:
- Top-tier specialist surgeons: A multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in the most advanced facial rejuvenation techniques.
- Prime location and facilities: Located in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi neighborhood, we offer a discreet, comfortable setting that’s easy to reach.
- Multilingual, barrier-free care: Our team is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, English, French, and more than 7 other languages, ensuring that patients understand every detail of their treatment with complete peace of mind.
- Comprehensive Care: From the first consultation through advanced postoperative follow-ups, patients receive continuous medical care 365 days a year.
If you’d like to determine which type of facelift is best for you, we invite you to schedule a medical consultation with our surgical team.