Why look at 10 years, not the first bill
The upfront comparison is simple. A surgical facelift in London usually costs £7,000 or more. Genuine Endolift for the lower face or full face is commonly £2,000 to £3,900, and at TK Medispa it is £2,000 for the lower face and £2,500 for the full face, all inclusive.
But the 2 treatments do not last the same length of time, and they do not do the same job. Endolift results can last up to 2 years. Some people choose to repeat it, and others are happy to have it once and let time take its course. So the fairer question is what each path might cost over a decade, and what you get for it.
A worked example over 10 years
The table below uses TK Medispa's current prices and assumes, for illustration only, that someone repeats Endolift whenever the effect has faded. Prices can change over time, and nobody can predict exactly how long your own result will last, so treat these as rough guides rather than quotes.
| Scenario | Treatments in 10 years | Lower face (£2,000 each) | Full face (£2,500 each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single treatment, no repeat | 1 | £2,000 | £2,500 |
| Repeat every 3 years | 4 | £8,000 | £10,000 |
| Repeat every 2 years | 5 | £10,000 | £12,500 |
| Surgical facelift | Usually 1 operation | Usually £7,000 or more | Usually £7,000 or more |
On these numbers, a single Endolift is clearly cheaper. If you repeat it regularly over a full decade, the total can match or exceed the price of surgery. That does not make either choice wrong. It simply means cost alone should not decide it.
It is also worth remembering that a facelift does not stop ageing. Skin continues to change after surgery, and some people later choose further treatment of their own, surgical or non surgical. The surgical figure in the table is a starting point, not necessarily a 10 year total.
Equally, the Endolift figures assume you repeat it on a fixed timetable. In practice, many people decide each time based on how they look and feel, so the real number often sits somewhere between the first 2 rows.
What the numbers do not show
They are not the same treatment
Endolift is minimally invasive. A fibre 200 to 600 microns wide is placed beneath the skin through a tiny entry point under local anaesthetic. It tightens the fibrous bands under the skin, can reduce small pockets of fat and starts collagen remodelling that improves results for around 6 months. It suits mild to moderate laxity.
A facelift is surgery. It can remove and reposition excess skin, which Endolift cannot do. For heavy, hanging skin of the lower face and neck, surgery is the more effective treatment, and repeating Endolift will not turn it into surgery. Our page comparing Endolift and a facelift covers the clinical differences.
Time away from life has a value
With Endolift, most people return to work the next day or within 48 hours, although swelling, bruising and temporary numbness are common for a while. Surgery involves incisions, stitches and a longer recovery. If time off work costs you money, that belongs in your sums too. So does the cost of help at home, travel to follow up appointments and any time you would rather not be seen in public while you heal.
Risk is part of the cost
Both options carry risk. With Endolift, rarer problems include burns, skin irregularity, infection, scarring at the entry points and temporary nerve weakness, for example of the marginal mandibular nerve, which can affect the smile. Surgery carries its own, generally larger, set of risks. Ask whoever treats you how often they see complications and how they manage them. Our page on side effects and safety explains the Endolift risks plainly.
Timing changes the picture
Many people use Endolift in their 40s or 50s, when laxity is mild to moderate, and consider surgery later if they need it. Others go straight to surgery because their skin is already beyond what a laser can tighten. Our article on Endolift in your 40s, 50s and 60s looks at how age and skin quality affect the choice.
Things that make results last longer
Whatever you choose, some factors affect how long you enjoy the result. For Endolift these include:
- Keeping your weight stable.
- Protecting your skin from sun.
- Not smoking.
- Your age and the starting quality of your skin.
The longer each result lasts, the fewer repeats you are likely to want, and the lower your 10 year total. Our guide to how long Endolift lasts goes into this in more depth.
Dr Seth's view As a plastic surgeon who also performs Endolift, Dr Seth often sees patients weighing these 2 paths. He has described Endolift as offering "what is close to a surgical facelift with no scarring, pain or downtime at a fraction of the cost", but he is equally clear that this applies to the right patient. When skin is heavy and hanging, he recommends surgery, and when it is mild to moderate, he usually starts with the less invasive option. Swelling, bruising and some recovery time still apply, and results vary.
How to make your own comparison
- Get an honest opinion on whether your skin is in the Endolift range or the surgical range.
- Ask for an all inclusive price for each option, including consultation, anaesthetic, aftercare and review.
- Think about how often you would realistically repeat a non surgical treatment.
- Add the cost of time off work for each option.
- Consider how you feel about surgery itself, not only the bill.
Next step
If you are unsure which side of the line your skin falls on, Dr Seth can tell you. Send 3 photos (front, left and right, in natural light) for his free assessment. If Endolift looks suitable, a free video consultation follows with a plan and a fixed price. If surgery would serve you better, he will say so. Send your photos for assessment.
Questions people also ask
Do I have to repeat Endolift?
No. Many people have 1 treatment and are content to let their skin age naturally from that improved starting point. Others choose to repeat it when the effect fades. Results can last up to 2 years, and vary with age, skin, weight, sun and smoking.
Can I have Endolift now and a facelift later?
Yes, people do. Endolift can suit mild to moderate laxity earlier on, and surgery remains an option if skin becomes heavier with age. Tell your surgeon about any previous treatments in the area so they can plan around them.
Is Endolift cheaper than a facelift in the long run?
It depends on how often you repeat it. A single treatment costs far less than surgery. Repeating it every 2 or 3 years for a decade can bring the total close to, or above, the price of a facelift, so it is worth doing the sums for your situation.
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Results vary between individuals and are not guaranteed. Endolift® and LASEmaR® are registered trademarks of Eufoton® S.r.l.