Face lifts (rhytidectomy)

How it works: An incision is usually made around the back of the ear, from the hair line down to the lobe in between the groove between the back of the ear and the bone behind. The skin is then pulled back and 'redraped.' Excess skin is removed, and the tightened skin is sewn back into its new position.

Effects and side effects:

The procedure will tighten loose skin in the neck, face and around the corners of the mouth. Glamorous granny images notwithstanding, this is a surprisingly complex operation, and there's risk of damage to the fine nerves that work the facial muscles