Yes and no. Most standard facelifts do not affect the nasolabial fold or marionette lines. Some special techniques and a particular type of facelift known as a mid facelift can improve these areas. Usually these areas respond best to soft tissue augmentation.
Most facelifts involve common principals of repositioning deeper structures, removing excess fat, and excising loose skin. Many can be performed under local anesthesia while the patient is awake. The face is infiltrated with anesthetic solution which numbs the face and reduces bleeding allowing for more precise dissection. Incisions are made under the chin and around the ear followed by dissecting the skin away from the deeper structures. The SMAS is then plicated (sutured up) to reposition the jowls and cheek tissue. The skin is then carefully removed and sutured back in place. Excess fat is removed from the neck, followed by tightening of the neck muscles (platysma). All sutures are removed in 5-7 days and recovery takes 1-2 weeks. Pain is minimal.
Complications can include bleeding, infection, seroma, tissue loss, and nerve damage. Other tell-tale signs of a facelift which should be avoided include pulling of the external auditory canal, a pixie ear, disappearing sideburn, abnormal vectoring, and abnormal scarring.