At a glance
- Is a male facelift different from a female facelift? The anatomical principles are the same, but the details change: where the incisions go, how the beard-bearing skin and sideburns are handled, and how the jawline is shaped.
- Where are the incisions placed for a man? They are planned around the beard and sideburns so that hair grows where it should after surgery and the scars blend into the natural hairline and the shadow of the beard.
- Will I look feminised or “done”? That is precisely what a male-specific approach avoids: the aim is to keep a strong, angular jawline and your own features, not to pull the face tight.
- Which facelift technique suits men? Most men consult for jowls, a blurred jawline and a loose neck, which is why the deep plane facelift, often extended to the neck, is frequently discussed. The choice is made in consultation.
- How much does a male facelift cost in Turkey? It is priced on quote. As a guide, Aram Clinic full facelift packages start at €3,700, including surgery, hospital stay, hotel and transfers.
Men are increasingly asking for a facelift, often for the same reasons as women: jowls, a jawline that has lost its definition, a tired look that does not match how they feel. Yet a male facelift is not simply a female facelift performed on a man. As a facelift specialist practising in Turkey puts it, male facelifts are a little different: the anatomy-based principles stay the same, but the details change. This page explains which details, and why they matter for a natural result.
Same principles, different details
Whatever the patient’s sex, a modern facelift works on the deep structures of the face rather than on the skin alone. In a deep plane facelift, for instance, the surgeon releases the ligaments that hold the face down and repositions the tissues as one unit, instead of stretching the skin. That foundation does not change for men.
What changes is everything around it. According to this specialist, incision placement, beard-bearing skin, sideburns and facial anatomy all influence the approach. For a man, these details decide whether the result looks natural or obviously operated.
| Detail | Why it matters for a man | What the surgeon adapts |
|---|---|---|
| Incision placement | A man often has short hair and no make-up to hide a scar | Incisions designed around the ear and the hairline so they stay discreet |
| Beard-bearing skin | Skin that grows a beard is moved during the lift | Planning so the beard does not end up too close to or behind the ear |
| Sideburns | A poorly planned lift can raise or remove the sideburn | Preserving the position and shape of the sideburns |
| Jawline and bone structure | A sharp, angular jaw is a masculine feature | Redefining the jawline without softening or rounding it |
Incisions, beard and sideburns
In a woman, the incision usually runs in front of the ear and into the temple hair. In a man, the surgeon must think about where the beard grows. When the skin of the cheek is repositioned, the beard-bearing skin moves with it; without careful planning, hair could end up growing on the ear or too close to it.
The sideburns are just as important. A lift that pulls the skin upwards can shorten or displace them, which immediately gives away the surgery. The incision is therefore drawn to keep the sideburn where it belongs. The good news is that, once healed, the beard and its shadow also help the scars blend in.
Keeping a masculine face
The specialist sums up the goal simply: preserve the features that make you look like you, while addressing the changes that come with ageing. Your natural bone structure, jawline and facial proportions all matter.
- The jawline: it should remain straight and well defined, not softened.
- The cheeks: a man’s cheeks are usually flatter; over-lifting or over-filling them can feminise the face.
- The neck: a sharp angle between the neck and the jaw is often what men want most.
- The overall look: rested and in proportion, never pulled or “windswept”.
Same anatomy-based principles. Different details. A personalised approach.
Which facelift for a man?
Most men consult for jowls, a blurred jawline and a loose neck. That is why the deep plane facelift, often extended to the neck, is frequently discussed: it treats the jawline and the neck together. To compare the mini lift, the SMAS lift and the deep plane techniques, read our guide to the different types of facelift.
The right choice depends on your anatomy, your skin and your expectations, and is made with the surgeon in consultation. For an overview of all our facial procedures, see our page on the face lift in Turkey.
Procedures men often combine
A facelift can be combined with eyelid surgery to refresh a tired look. Some men also choose a beard and mustache transplant in Turkey to densify a sparse beard, or, for the body, a gynecomastia surgery. Each combination is assessed by the surgeon according to your health and the length of your stay.
Recovery and practical points for men
Recovery follows the same broad steps as for any facelift: swelling and bruising in the first days, a check-up before flying home and a gradual return to normal activities. A few points are specific to men:
- Blood pressure: it is checked and controlled before and after surgery, as it plays a part in the risk of bleeding.
- Shaving: the surgeon tells you when you can shave again, as the skin of the cheek may feel numb for a while.
- Sport: intense exercise is resumed progressively, only once the surgeon agrees.
The length of your stay in Turkey is an estimate given in your quote, as it depends on the procedure and how you heal. To get organised, see how to prepare your medical trip to Turkey and read our guide on cosmetic surgery safety in Turkey.
How much does a male facelift cost in Turkey?
The price is set on quote, according to the technique, the neck work and any combined procedures. As a guide, Aram Clinic full facelift packages start at €3,700 in Istanbul or Izmir, including surgery, hospital stay, 5-star hotel and transfers with a driver. In a private London clinic, a deep plane facelift is generally quoted at around £15,000 to £30,000, travel and hotel aside.
Our facelift surgeons
At Aram Clinic, facelifts for men are performed by plastic surgeons experienced in facial anatomy, in Istanbul and Izmir. Meet our plastic surgeons in Turkey.
Dr Mehmet Karaaltin (Istanbul)
A graduate of the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in Istanbul, certified by the Turkish Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of EBOPRAS and ISAPS, he has more than 25 years of experience. As an ISAPS member surgeon, he provides ISAPS insurance for the cosmetic procedures he performs. Facelift and advanced facial rejuvenation are among his core areas, and he was part of the team that performed the world’s third full face transplant.
Dr Tolgahan Alpaydin (Izmir)
A graduate of Ege University (Izmir), he completed his plastic surgery residency there (1995–2001), then a microsurgery fellowship and aesthetic surgery training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (USA). He has directed the Izmir Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Clinic since 2003. He performs endoscopic and deep plane facelifts with a natural anti-ageing approach, as well as eyelid surgery.
Dr Orhan Fahri Demir (Istanbul)
Trained at Gazi University (Ankara) and in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at Ege University, he has practised as a plastic surgery specialist at Memorial Bahçelevler Hospital in Istanbul since 2025, with more than eight years of clinical and academic experience. Endoscopic and deep plane facelifts are part of his expertise; in 2024 he took part in a facelift congress in Azerbaijan.