Facelift vs. FaceTite: Which Facial Rejuvenation Option Is Best for You?

Aging is a natural process, but it affects each person differently. As skin begins to lose elasticity and muscle tone weakens, visible signs like sagging jowls, deep wrinkles, and hollow cheeks become more prominent. Fortunately, modern aesthetic medicine offers both surgical and non-surgical solutions to restore a more youthful appearance.

Two standout options for facial rejuvenation are the traditional facelift and the minimally invasive FaceTite procedure. Both offer effective solutions, but the best choice for you depends on your goals, anatomy, lifestyle, and tolerance for downtime.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between a facelift and FaceTite; including how each works, who they’re best suited for, and what to expect from your results.

A facelift (also called rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that addresses sagging skin, deep folds, jowls, and loss of volume in the mid-to-lower face. It’s designed to reposition underlying facial tissues, tighten muscles, and remove excess skin, creating a firmer, smoother, and more lifted appearance.

Key Benefits of a Facelift:

• Dramatically reduces sagging in the cheeks, jawline, and neck
• Long-lasting results (typically 10 years or more)
• Repositions deeper tissues, not just skin
• Can be combined with eyelid surgery or fat grafting for comprehensive rejuvenation

What Happens During Surgery:

Facelifts are performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Incisions are typically made along the hairline and around the ears, allowing the surgeon to lift and reposition underlying tissues, trim excess skin, and secure the results.

FaceTite is a minimally invasive facial contouring treatment that uses radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL) to tighten skin and reduce fat. Often described as a “non-surgical facelift,” it delivers energy through a small probe inserted beneath the skin, heating the tissue to stimulate collagen and melt unwanted fat.

FaceTite is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia or light sedation, making it ideal for patients who want visible improvement without going under the knife.

Key Benefits of FaceTite:

• Tightens mild to moderate skin laxity
• Reduces submental (under-chin) fat
• Minimal scarring with tiny incisions
• Shorter downtime than surgery
• Stimulates long-term collagen production

What Happens During the Procedure:

After numbing, a small cannula is inserted under the skin. Radiofrequency energy heats the tissue, tightening fibers and coagulating fat cells. The treatment takes about 45-90 minutes depending on the area, and most patients return to daily activities in 3-5 days.

Facelift

FaceTite 

Pros:

“Better” depends entirely on your goals and baseline anatomy. If you’re in your 30s or 40s and notice sagging around the jawline or neck, FaceTite may offer the refresh you’re looking for without the invasiveness of surgery. On the other hand, if you have significant jowling, deep wrinkles, or sagging cheeks, a facelift is the more definitive solution.

Some patients begin with FaceTite to delay surgery, transitioning from FaceTite to a facelift after a few years when laxity becomes more pronounced.

A growing number of practices combine FaceTite with Morpheus8, a radiofrequency microneedling treatment, to improve skin texture and enhance collagen production. Others pair FaceTite with dermal fillers or laser resurfacing for a full-face rejuvenation plan.

Facelift patients often add fat grafting or eyelid surgery for a more comprehensive outcome. The takeaway? Facial rejuvenation isn’t always one-size-fits-all; it’s often a customized combination of treatments tailored to your unique needs.

Costs vary widely based on location, provider, and scope of treatment.

• Facelift: $8,000-$30,000 or more depending on complexity and whether combined with other procedures.*
• FaceTite: $3,000-$9,000 per treatment area.*

*Excluding OR and anesthesia fee. 

Although facelifts have a higher upfront cost, they typically offer longer-lasting results, reducing the need for repeat treatments over time. FaceTite is more budget-friendly short term but may need to be repeated every few years to maintain results.

Always prioritize expertise and credentials over price. Facial procedures require technical precision and artistic skill.

Facelift Recovery:

• Bruising, swelling, and tightness for 2-3 weeks
• Sutures removed around 7-10 days
• Most return to social activities in 2-4 weeks
• Results visible after 3-6 months

FaceTite Recovery:

• Mild swelling, redness, and tenderness for 3-7 days
• Tiny incision marks fade quickly
• Most patients resume regular activities within a week
• Results improve gradually over 3-6 months

Your provider will give you detailed aftercare instructions, and follow-up visits ensure healing progresses as expected.

Beyond the physical improvements, facial rejuvenation, whether surgical or non-surgical, often provides significant emotional benefits:

• Improved confidence and self-image
• A more youthful, rested appearance
• Increased satisfaction in personal and professional interactions

Patients frequently report feeling more “in sync” with how they feel on the inside-energized, vibrant, and self-assured.

Ask yourself these key questions:

• How significant are my aging concerns?
• Am I willing to undergo surgery and downtime?
• Do I prefer gradual improvements or a one-time transformation?
• What’s my budget and long-term maintenance plan?

Then, book a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or cosmetic provider. They will evaluate your skin, facial structure, and goals to recommend the most appropriate path; whether that’s facelift, FaceTite, or a combination approach.