Facelift -Rhytidectomy

A seasoned, skilled facial plastic surgeon will create natural, beautiful results for patients seeking facelift surgery to improve the signs of aging. A facelift, or rhytidectomy, addresses the natural aging process by improving sagging facial and neck skin. Using incisions along the hairline, excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is tightened to create a softer, more natural appearance. There are many variations of a facelift, depending on the age of the patient, the condition of their skin, and the degree of wrinkles and sagging that needs improvement. Schedule your consultation with Irvine plastic surgeon, Dr. Marguerite Bernett, today to discuss your options for a more youthful you.

Good candidates for facelifts are men or women who demonstrate:

• Looseness of skin in the middle face
• Looseness of skin in the jaw line and neck
• Loss of volume in skin of the face and/or neck

During the consultation, we will evaluate the patient’s overall health along with their skin quality, skin looseness, folds, and wrinkles. In addition, the underlying bone anatomy will be assessed and a facial rejuvenation treatment plan will be created that will help attain the best results. There are several variations of a surgical facelift, including a skin-only lift, which is reserved for patients with less sagging, a mid-facelift, which address the cheeks and mid-face area, and for those with severe sagging, a deep-plane lift, which addresses deeper wrinkles and folds. It is very common to combine nonsurgical techniques with a facelift to maximize results. This may include wrinkle fillers or BOTOX, as well as a chemical peel or a laser treatment to address skin irregularities on the surface, such as scars, sunspots and blemishes.

Depending on the extent of the facelift and the patient’s overall health, patients may have an overnight stay or be discharged later in the evening. Swelling and bruising are expected after facelift surgery. The swelling and bruising will start to resolve during the first week after surgery, although this will vary between patients. Usually, patients may go out in public within 10 days with the aid of camouflage make-up. Most patients can resume modest activity in 2-3 weeks. A complete recovery from a facelift surgery occurs in about 4-6 weeks. Supplemental procedures, such as nonsurgical skin rejuvenation, can usually be performed at this time.

Depending on the technique used and the invasiveness of the surgery, surgical fees for facelift surgery vary greatly. Less invasive facelifts can average between $6,000 to $8,000, while more aggressive approaches can start at $10,000.

Facelifts are becoming more and more common, especially with advanced surgical skills and progressive surgical techniques. Experienced surgeons understand the anatomy of the face and produce results that are not only lasting, but also natural by appearance. If you are ready to turn back the hands of time and look younger today, we encourage you to call our plastic surgery office and schedule a complete consultation to learn more.