Face Lift Cost: Average Price, What Affects It & Financing

A facelift is an elective cosmetic procedure, so patients usually pay the full bill themselves. The price depends on the technique, the surgeon, the facility, and where you live. Most quotes bundle several line items, and the number you hear first may not include all of them.

Figures on this page come from published guides and were checked on Oct 12, 2026. The tables show how the average moves by facelift type and by state.

CareCredit reports a typical range of $8,063 – $21,406. That is a wide spread, and where you land in it depends on the factors covered below.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports an average surgeon's fee. That figure covers the surgeon's fee only.

The ASPS figure leaves out the operating room or surgical facility, anesthesia, medications, and any post-surgery garments or follow-up visits. Those items are often billed separately. That is why a total quote runs higher than the surgeon's fee alone.

"Facelift" covers several different operations. Surgeons name them by how much of the face they address and how deep the work goes, and the average price changes with the technique.

Which technique fits you is a medical decision. A board-certified plastic surgeon can explain the options during a consultation. From a pricing standpoint, the point is that a quote for one type of facelift cannot be compared directly with a quote for another.

Prices vary by region. Rent, staffing costs, and local demand all feed into what a practice charges.

The states above are examples, not a full list. If your state is not shown, treat these figures as reference points and ask local practices for written quotes. Prices at individual practices can sit well above or below a state average.

• Surgeon's fee. Experience, reputation, and demand in your area shape this line.
• Technique. Deeper, longer procedures generally price higher, as the type table shows.
• Facility fee. An accredited surgical center and a hospital operating room can bill differently.
• Anesthesia. Billed by the anesthesia provider, usually by time.
• Add-on procedures. Many patients pair a facelift with other work, such as eyelid or neck procedures. Each add-on raises the total.
• Pre- and post-operative care. Some practices include follow-up visits in the quote, and others bill them separately.
• Location. Large metro areas and high-cost states tend to price higher.

Two guides can quote different "average" facelift costs and both be accurate. They may measure different things. One source may report only the surgeon's fee, while another may report an all-in total. They may also draw on different patient samples, years, or regions.

When you compare numbers, check what each one includes before deciding a practice is expensive or cheap.

Facelifts done for cosmetic reasons are generally not covered by health insurance. Plan on paying out of pocket, and ask your insurer directly if you believe your situation is different.

Because insurance rarely helps, many practices offer payment options:

• Medical credit cards or patient financing. Some offer promotional periods with deferred interest. Read the terms before you sign, because interest can be charged retroactively if the balance is not paid in time.
• In-house payment plans offered by the practice.
• Personal loans. Compare the interest rate and fees against other options.
• Health savings account funds usually do not apply to purely cosmetic procedures, so confirm with your plan administrator.

A consultation is the time to get the full price in writing. Ask:

• Does the quote include the surgeon's fee, facility, anesthesia, and medications?
• Which facelift technique is the quote for?
• Are follow-up visits covered, or billed separately?
• What happens to the cost if a revision is needed?
• What deposit is required, and is it refundable if you cancel?
• Is the surgeon board-certified, and where will the procedure take place?

Your state medical board and the American Board of Plastic Surgery let you verify a surgeon's credentials. Choosing a surgeon on price alone can cost more in the long run, so weigh qualifications alongside the quote.