Ten top facelift surgeons in Turkey 2026 – and answers to your questions

Stock imageplaceholder image
Stock image | Valua Vitaly - stock.adobe.com

Facelift surgery has changed a great deal over the years. It is no longer simply about tightening loose skin or trying to make the face look dramatically younger.

Today, the focus is much more on restoring shape, improving the jawline and creating a fresher appearance without changing the character of the face.

This is one of the main reasons why choosing the best facelift surgeon in Turkey for you can take time. A good result depends on more than technical skill alone. The surgeon needs to understand how the cheeks, jawline, neck and deeper facial tissues work together. A face that looks natural after surgery usually comes from careful planning rather than aggressive correction.

Turkey has become one of the countries most often considered for facial aesthetic surgery, especially by international patients. Istanbul in particular is home to many surgeons working in facial rejuvenation, rhinoplasty and plastic surgery.

1. Ferhat İlen MD

Ferhat İlen MD leads our 2026 list. His work in facial surgery and rhinoplasty gives him a strong understanding of facial proportions, which is particularly important in facelift planning. A facelift should never be treated as an isolated procedure. The jawline, cheeks, chin and neck all affect the way the final result is perceived.

His approach is especially relevant for patients who want to look refreshed without appearing noticeably operated on. In many successful facelift cases, the difference is not about making the face tighter. It is about restoring support in the right areas and allowing the skin to sit naturally over the deeper tissues.

For people searching for their favoured facelift surgeon in Turkey, this focus on facial balance is one of the reasons Ferhat İlen MD stands out. The aim is not to create a different face, but to improve definition while preserving familiar expressions and individual facial features.

2. Güncel Öztürk MD

Güncel Öztürk MD is a well-known name in plastic and aesthetic surgery, with facial procedures forming an important part of his work. His experience covers both surgical and non-surgical facial treatments, giving him a broad view of the ageing process.

What makes facelift surgery challenging is that ageing does not happen in the same way for everyone. One patient may be mainly concerned about jowls, while another may notice changes around the cheeks or neck. Treating every face with the same technique can therefore lead to results that feel unnatural.

A more individual approach allows the surgery to focus on the areas that actually need correction. This can make the outcome look softer and more balanced, especially when the goal is facial rejuvenation rather than a dramatic transformation.

3. Hüseyin Kandulu MD

Hüseyin Kandulu MD has many years of experience in plastic and aesthetic surgery. His work across different areas of cosmetic surgery gives him a strong understanding of skin, soft tissue and body proportions.

In facelift surgery, the way soft tissue is handled is especially important. Simply tightening the skin can sometimes create a stretched appearance. Modern techniques place greater attention on the deeper layers of the face, which helps the result look more natural.

For many patients, the goal is to regain a cleaner jawline and smoother facial contours without losing movement or expression. A facelift that looks good both at rest and while speaking or smiling is usually the result of careful tissue positioning.

4. Mehmet Emre Dinç MD

Mehmet Emre Dinç MD is closely associated with facial surgery and rhinoplasty. His experience in facial proportions makes him a relevant name for patients who want rejuvenation that still works naturally with the rest of their face.

Facial ageing can change the relationship between the nose, cheeks, chin and jawline. This means that even when the facelift itself focuses on the lower face, the surgeon still needs to understand the complete facial profile.

The most balanced results often come from looking at the face as one structure rather than several separate areas. This helps avoid overcorrection and makes the rejuvenated features sit more naturally together.

5. Şaban Çelebi MD

Şaban Çelebi MD is another surgeon on our 2026 list with experience in plastic and facial aesthetic surgery. His work is relevant for patients who are interested in improving facial definition without creating a sharp or artificial appearance.

One of the most common facelift concerns is loss of definition around the jawline. As the facial tissues descend over time, jowls can become more visible and the lower face may begin to look heavier.

A good facelift can improve this area while still keeping the face soft. The best results tend to come from balancing correction and restraint, rather than trying to make every sign of ageing disappear.

6. Batuhan Ünlüler MD

Batuhan Ünlüler MD is included in our list because of his work in aesthetic surgery and facial procedures. His approach reflects the wider shift in modern facelift surgery towards deeper tissue support.

Older facelift methods often focused more heavily on skin tension. Today, many surgeons pay closer attention to the structures underneath the skin because these layers play a major role in facial shape.

This can be particularly useful for the cheeks and lower face. When the deeper tissues are repositioned correctly, the skin can settle more naturally, which reduces the risk of an overly pulled look.

7. Erkin Önsal MD

Erkin Önsal MD is another name worth considering for patients researching facial rejuvenation and aesthetic surgery in Turkey.

Facial ageing involves more than loose skin. Fat can shift, volume can decrease and the support structures beneath the skin can gradually change. These factors can make the face look tired even when the skin itself is still in good condition.

A well-planned facelift should take these changes into account. Instead of trying to recreate the face from twenty years ago, the goal is usually to restore a more defined and rested version of the patient's current appearance.

8. Engin Öcal MD

Engin Öcal MD is included among the surgeons to consider for facial rejuvenation procedures in 2026. His work in facial aesthetics is relevant for patients who want refinement without losing the character of their face.

One of the biggest concerns people have before facelift surgery is looking different afterwards. This is understandable because facial expressions, smile lines and natural proportions are closely linked to identity.

A natural facelift should preserve those features. The jawline can become cleaner and the cheeks can appear better supported, but the person should still look like themselves. For many patients, this is what separates a good facelift from an obvious one.

9. Serhan Derin MD

Serhan Derin MD has experience in facial aesthetic surgery and procedures involving the central structures of the face.

What makes facelift surgery interesting is that even small adjustments can change the overall appearance. The transition from the cheeks to the jawline, for example, can make the face look considerably younger when it becomes smoother and more defined.

This is why surgical planning matters so much. The amount of correction should fit the patient's face rather than follow a fixed formula. Subtle changes can sometimes create a stronger and more natural result than aggressive surgery.

10. Bülent Çığşar MD

Bülent Çığşar MD completes our list of facelift and facial aesthetic surgeons to consider in Turkey in 2026.

Facelift surgery requires both technical skill and visual judgement. Knowing where to reposition tissues is important, but so is understanding how much movement is appropriate. Too little correction may not create enough improvement, while too much can make the face look stiff.

Looking at several before-and-after cases can therefore be useful when comparing surgeons. It gives a better sense of whether the surgeon's style matches the type of result the patient is hoping to achieve.

What is a facelift?

A facelift surgeon in Turkey, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure used to improve visible signs of ageing in the face. It is most often performed to address sagging around the cheeks, jawline and lower face.

Modern facelift surgery generally involves more than removing excess skin. The deeper tissues may also be repositioned so that the face has better support and the skin does not need to be pulled too tightly.

The exact technique depends on the patient's anatomy and level of ageing. Some people mainly need improvement around the jawline, while others may also benefit from changes involving the cheeks or neck.

What makes a facelift look natural? A natural-looking facelift is usually one where the face looks refreshed but not obviously changed. The jawline may be cleaner, the cheeks may sit higher and sagging may be reduced, but the patient's expression should remain familiar.

The deeper facial layers play an important role in this. When those tissues are supported properly, the skin can follow the new contours without excessive tension.

This is also why the same facelift technique does not suit every patient. Face shape, skin quality, age and the position of the soft tissues all need to be considered before surgery.

How do you choose a facelift surgeon in Turkey?

Experience in facial surgery is one of the first things to look at. Facelift surgery involves delicate anatomy, so the surgeon should be comfortable working with the different tissue layers of the face.

Before-and-after photographs are also useful, especially when several cases are reviewed together. One dramatic transformation does not always show the surgeon's typical style. A wider selection gives a better idea of how natural or noticeable the results usually are.

It is also important to think about personal preference. Some patients want very subtle rejuvenation, while others want stronger jawline definition and more visible lifting. The right surgeon should be able to plan the procedure around that goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age for a facelift?

There is no exact age that works for everyone. Many people begin considering facelift surgery when sagging, jowls or changes in the jawline become more noticeable and non-surgical treatments no longer provide enough improvement.

How long does a facelift last?

Facelift results can remain visible for many years. However, the natural ageing process continues after surgery. Genetics, skin quality, lifestyle and surgical technique can all influence how the face changes over time.

Does a facelift improve the neck?

A facelift can improve the transition between the face and neck, especially around the jawline. In some cases, neck surgery may also be performed when loose skin or deeper tissue changes are present below the jaw.

Can a facelift look natural?

Yes. Modern facelift surgery focuses on repositioning and supporting facial tissues rather than simply pulling the skin. This can help create a smoother and more natural appearance.

Is Turkey popular for facelift surgery?

Yes. Turkey is widely known for plastic and facial aesthetic surgery. Istanbul in particular attracts international patients looking for facelift, rhinoplasty and other facial procedures.

What should I look for in a facelift surgeon?

Facial surgery experience, before-and-after results, surgical style and an understanding of natural facial proportions are all important. It is also useful to choose a surgeon whose previous results are close to the type of outcome being considered.

Is a facelift better than fillers or other non-surgical treatments?

They are used for different concerns. Fillers and similar treatments can help with volume and early signs of ageing, while a facelift is generally considered when there is more noticeable sagging and movement of the facial tissues.

Always consult your GP or NHS consultant before embarking on any private medical or cosmetic treatments. Ensure you have adequate travel insurance which includes cover for cosmetic and health procedures abroad , and check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) for the latest advice The NHS also provides advice on considering cosmetic surgery abroad via the NHS website.

Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice