Tel: (301) 215-5955

Home > Procedures > Facelifts

Facelifts

Over time, the long-term effects of gravity, exposure to sun, and general stress takes its toll on an individual's face and neckline. Jowls can develop under the jaw line with folds and fat deposits. Sometimes creases begin to form between the nose and the mouth. A facelift can considerably reduce these signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening the underlying muscles, and redraping the skin around the neck and face. Facelifts can be done alone, or frequently performed in conjunction with another procedure such as a brow lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. If your problem areas are limited to the neck, a more conservative procedure, known as a "neck lift" will be recommended. In some cases, a facelift can reduce the outward signs of aging by ten to fifteen years.  Newer procedures such as "short scar" technique or "S-lift" help improve results while decreasing the length of scars and recovery time.

While a facelift removes coarse wrinkling and sagging skin, it cannot remove the fine wrinkling associated with sun exposure. This procedure will provide benefits regardless of the client’s age. A facelift may be desired whenever changes due to aging become bothersome to the individual.
Patients often ask how long a facelift lasts. The answer is as individual as the patient. While surgery can turn back the clock, it does not stop aging. Facial aging will continue at the normal rate for that person. The average time before people begin to consider a second facelift is usually 10-15 years. Many patients never need a second procedure.

In scheduling your surgery, we recommend that you allow six weeks for healing prior to any important function you plan to attend, in case your healing is slow or there is an unexpected complication. This procedure is typically done under general anesthesia and may require a one night hospital stay. Full recovery to normal activity level typically takes 4-6 weeks.

Learn more about facelifts from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at www.plasticsurgery.org.

• See this procedure in 3-D animation.

Please contact our cosmetic surgery practice to schedule an appointment for this procedure.