Facial surgery covers operations on the nose, eyelids, brow, face and neck, done to change appearance, to restore function such as breathing or vision, or both. The same complaint can have different causes, and some of them are better treated medically or not with surgery at all, so the cause comes before the operation.
In short
A blocked nose, a heavy upper eyelid or a looser jawline each has several possible causes, and only some respond to surgery. Guidance for nose surgery asks surgeons to explore motivation and expectations, check the airway and look for conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder before operating.2 Results of facial operations are not assured, they carry real risks, and do not stop the face from ageing afterwards.45 An in-person examination is needed before any option can be judged.
What this field covers
- Nose surgery: rhinoplasty changes the shape or size of the nose1; septoplasty straightens the central wall (septum) to improve airflow. The two are sometimes combined.
- Facelift and neck lift: reduce loose skin of the lower face, mainly the jowls, and the neck.4
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): removes excess skin or fat from the upper or lower lids, sometimes combined with ptosis surgery, which lifts a drooping lid.6
- Brow lift: raises a low or heavy brow.
- Chin and jaw contouring: implants or other techniques to change the profile, with filler as a non-surgical counterpart.
Start with the cause
| Concern or symptom | Possible causes | Usual first step / type of specialist |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked nose or noisy breathing | Deviated septum from birth, injury or ageing; swollen nasal lining during colds or allergies; infection3 | GP, then an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon if it does not clear with treatment3 |
| Dislike of the shape of the nose | Inherited shape; previous injury3; previous surgery; body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)2 | GP first1; facial plastic or ENT surgeon who assesses both form and airway2 |
| Heavy or hooded upper eyelids | Excess upper-lid skin; a drooping lid muscle (ptosis)6; a low brow | Eye specialist or oculoplastic surgeon; vision and visual field testing if side vision is affected6 |
| Under-eye bags | Excess lower-lid skin or fat6; changes that make shadows look deeper | Clinician examination of skin, fat and lid support |
| Jowls and a looser neck | Age-related skin laxity; repeated weight gain and loss5; neck fat | Facial plastic surgeon; assessment of whether laxity is enough to justify surgery |
| Fine lines, sun damage, uneven colour | Skin-surface ageing, which a facelift does not treat5 | Dermatologist or medical aesthetic treatment rather than surgery |
Main types of option
| Option | What it can do | What it cannot do |
|---|---|---|
| No treatment or watchful waiting | Avoids surgical risk; appropriate when symptoms are mild or the concern is purely cosmetic and stable | Change shape or laxity |
| Medical treatment | Address nasal swelling that worsens with colds, allergies or infection3; treat BDD, where other treatments serve patients better than surgery2 | Correct a structural problem such as a markedly bent septum |
| Non-surgical aesthetic treatment | Address skin-surface changes that surgery leaves untouched5; add volume in selected areas | Remove excess skin or reshape bone and cartilage |
| Functional surgery (septoplasty, ptosis repair, upper-lid surgery for vision) | Improve airflow or side vision blocked by sagging lids6 | Promise a set outcome; recognised risks include permanent breathing difficulty after nose surgery1 and a need for further eyelid surgery6 |
| Cosmetic surgery (rhinoplasty, facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty) | Change nasal shape; lift sagging cheeks, jawline and neck5; remove lid skin or fat6 | Stop ageing; results are not lifelong5; full facelift results take 6 to 9 months and scars do not disappear completely4 |
What cannot be decided online
Nose surgery needs an examination of the inside of the nose as well as the outside, because airway obstruction should be evaluated before surgery.2 Skin thickness, cartilage strength and previous injuries are felt and seen, not photographed. Eyelid surgery may need a full eye examination, tear testing, eyelid measurements and visual field testing.6
Your health also shapes what is safe. Smoking greatly increases the risk of poor wound healing and skin loss after a facelift, and blood thinners, some supplements, poorly controlled diabetes or blood pressure and clotting disorders all change the risk.5 Obstructive sleep apnoea and bleeding disorders matter before nose surgery.2 These are reviewed in person, with your full medication list.
When to seek urgent medical help
- After a facelift: severe pain on one side of the face or neck within 24 hours, which can signal a blood collection (haematoma).5
- After eyelid surgery: severe new eye pain, bleeding or any vision problems.6
- After any facial operation: shortness of breath, chest pain or an irregular or unusual heartbeat.56
- Severe pain or any unexpected symptom: contact the team that operated as soon as possible, or NHS 111 in England.14
Guides in this section
Nose surgery has its own section: see rhinoplasty, functional rhinoplasty and deviated septum. For non-surgical treatment of skin and volume, see medical aesthetics.
Common questions
- Can Rhinoplasty Improve Breathing?
- What Is Septoplasty?
- Open vs Closed Rhinoplasty: What Is the Difference?
- What Is Preservation Rhinoplasty?
- How Long Does Swelling Last After Rhinoplasty?
- Deep Plane vs SMAS Facelift: What Is the Difference?
- How Long Does a Facelift Last?
- Neck Lift vs Facelift: Which Addresses What?
- Where Are Facelift Scars and How Visible Are They?
- What Is Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)?
- What Is a Brow Lift?
- Chin Implant vs Chin Filler: What Is the Difference?
Sources
- NHS. Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty). NHS website; reviewed 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/nose-reshaping-rhinoplasty/. Accessed 5 November 2026.
- Ishii LE, Tollefson TT, Basura GJ, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty Executive Summary. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery; 2017;156(2):205–219. DOI: 10.1177/0194599816683156. https://escholarship.org/content/qt10f7x1jr/qt10f7x1jr.pdf. Accessed 5 November 2026.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Deviated septum: symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic; n.d. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deviated-septum/symptoms-causes/syc-20351710. Accessed 5 November 2026.
- NHS. Facelift. NHS website; reviewed 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/facelift/. Accessed 5 November 2026.
- Mayo Clinic. Face-lift. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; n.d. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/face-lift/about/pac-20394059. Accessed 5 November 2026.
- Mayo Clinic. Blepharoplasty. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; n.d. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blepharoplasty/about/pac-20385174. Accessed 5 November 2026.