Facelift

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift, medically referred to as rhytidectomy, is a facial surgery designed to reverse many common signs of aging. Sun exposure, environmental factors, years of smoking, and gravity can all contribute to the development of loose skin, lax facial muscles, jowls, fine lines, and deep wrinkles. With a facelift, our experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Andrew T. Cohen, can smooth the appearance of the skin and tighten the underlying musculature for a more youthful, well-rested appearance.

• Facelift Benefits
• Facelift Candidates
• Facelift Procedure
• Facelift Recovery
• Facelift Risks
• Facelift Alternatives
• Facelift Complementary Treatments
• Facelift Cost

What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?

A facelift offers significant benefits by rejuvenating the face and reducing signs of aging. This surgical procedure is designed to tighten sagging skin, smooth deep wrinkles, and lift drooping facial features, typically resulting in a more youthful appearance and a boost in confidence. A facelift can also help enhance facial contours, improve skin tone and texture, and eliminate excess fat, particularly around the lower face. Additionally, facelift results can be long-lasting, helping you look younger, especially when complemented with a healthy lifestyle and skin care regimen.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Most candidates for a facelift share one or more of the following cosmetic concerns:

Patient Gallery
• Sagging facial and/or neck skin
• Loss of jawline definition
• Deep wrinkles in the cheeks
• Loose skin, wrinkles, or excess fatty tissue in the neck

Ideal candidates are women or men who have adequate skin elasticity and a strong, well-defined bone structure. The best way to determine your candidacy for facelift surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cohen.

How Is the Facelift Procedure Performed?

Each facelift is custom-tailored by Dr. Cohen to suit the unique needs of the patient. Using a personalized surgical plan, Dr. Cohen typically begins the facelift procedure with an incision carefully placed around the natural contours of the ears and hidden within the hairline. At that time, the underlying facial muscles can be tightened where needed to provide greater support. Any excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is re-draped to smooth lines, wrinkles, and creases. When a neck lift is performed in conjunction with a facelift, a small incision is made beneath the chin, allowing Dr. Cohen to remove fat deposits and address any skin redundancy that may be affecting the appearance of the jawline.

Dr. Cohen also performs the deep plane facelift technique, which addresses sagging tissue on a deeper level than traditional methods. This advanced approach lifts the facial musculature and skin as one unit for natural-looking, long-lasting results.

Facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes two to three hours to perform, depending upon the complexity of the surgical plan.

What Is Facelift Recovery Like?

As with any major surgery, swelling, soreness, and bruising can be expected immediately following the facelift procedure. Any discomfort experienced during this time can be managed with oral pain medication, and these side effects typically begin to resolve within a few days. In some cases, a drainage tube may be used to prevent excess fluid from accumulating at the incision. After one week, patients return for a follow-up appointment to ensure the healing process is continuing as expected. The surgical sutures can be removed at this time, and most patients return to work or their normal activities within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for several weeks until the healing process is complete.

What Are the Risks of Facelift Surgery?

Although there are some risks associated with facelift surgery, Dr. Cohen takes great care when creating each surgical plan to minimize the chance of complications. Possible risks include negative reactions to the anesthesia, infection, hematoma, and nerve injury. Dr. Cohen recommends all candidates for facelift quit smoking several weeks before surgery in order to further reduce the risk of complications.

Are There Non-Surgical Facelift Alternatives?

There are several alternatives to a traditional facelift for those seeking to reduce the signs of aging without surgery. Non-surgical facelifts often utilize treatments such as dermal fillers to add volume and smooth out wrinkles, while BOTOX^® Cosmetic is meant to relax muscles that cause facial lines. Laser treatments, another effective approach, can help tighten the skin by stimulating collagen production deep beneath the skin’s surface. These alternatives offer less downtime and may be suitable for those with less severe skin sagging or those who prefer a less invasive option.

What Treatments Complement a Facelift?

Several treatments can complement a facelift to enhance and prolong its rejuvenating effects, including:

Eyelid Surgery 

Eyelid surgery can complement a facelift by addressing signs of aging around the eyes, which may not be corrected by a facelift alone. By targeting the upper and lower eyelids, eyelid surgery can help open up the eyes, reduce wrinkles, and restore a more alert appearance. When combined, these surgeries provide a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. 

Neck Lift 

A neck lift can target an area facelift surgery may not reach, thus enhancing the contour and appearance of the neck. This procedure can harmonize with the results of a facelift and address issues like “turkey neck,” double chin, and jowls, ensuring that the rejuvenation is consistent from the face down to the chest.  

BOTOX^® Cosmetic

By targeting wrinkles that are not typically addressed by facelift surgery, BOTOX^® Cosmetic can be an effective complementary treatment. BOTOX^® Cosmetic works by temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for these expressions, smoothing out the skin and preventing the formation of new lines. When performed with a facelift, which mainly addresses sagging skin and static wrinkles, this injectable treatment can enhance the overall rejuvenating effect. 

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can plump up hollow areas, smooth out remaining fine lines, and enhance lip and cheek contours for a more youthful appearance. This combination of facelift surgery and fillers offers a balanced and natural-looking enhancement that helps maximize the results of facial rejuvenation. 

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

Since the facelift procedure is customized for each patient, the price of the surgery will greatly vary. Factors that can impact the final cost of facelift surgery include the volume of excess skin, the degree of muscle tightening, and whether a neck lift or other procedure is added to the surgical plan. The average cost of a facelift can range anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on what needs to be done and the skill of the surgeon. The cost could be more for cases that require multiple procedures performed on the face. At our practice, the procedure is moderately priced. At the end of your initial consultation, Dr. Cohen will provide you with a personalized quote for the cost of your facelift procedure. We also offer a number of plastic surgery financing options for patients who could benefit from low monthly payments or low interest loans.