Facelift

Extra fat and skin under the chin can be a challenging problem. Treatment options depend on the amount of tissue as well as the patients specific anatomy, skin elasticity, and age. There are nonsurgical options which use heat or laser energy to reduce fat, injections to reduce fat, and surgical procedures (including liposuction and neck lift).

Preparing for a facelift includes good skin care, avoiding excess sun (UV) exposure, and maintaining good habits like a healthy diet and regular exercise. Some medications and supplements should be avoided in the weeks before the procedure, including any that can thin the blood.

Taking care of your face after facelift involves gentle skin care, avoidance of sun (UV), avoidance of strenuous activities, and keeping the head elevated.

For the first 2-3 weeks after facelift, patients should limit physical activity to walking. After this, low-impact cardio can be started. Weight lifting and strenuous activities typically are avoided for 4-6 weeks.

Facelift changes are permanent, however the aging process continues. The duration of a facelifts effect is dependent on patient factors including age, diet, exercise, sun exposure, skin type, etc. in addition to the details of the procedure performed.

Fat transfer to the face is permanent, but not all of the fat that is placed will survive. For most patients, about 1/2 to 2/3 of the transferred amount will survive over time. Some patients with specific health problems (e.g., diabetes, vascular disease) or exposures (e.g., tobacco use, radiation) will have a lower fat survival rate.

Swelling in the face after facelift surgery is a normal part of the recovery. Reducing this may include certain medications as well as reducing strenuous activities, avoiding high-salt foods, and maintaining an upright position even during sleep.

Swelling in the face after facelift surgery is a normal part of the recovery. Reducing this may include certain medications as well as reducing strenuous activities, avoiding high-salt foods, and maintaining an upright position even during sleep.

The jawline can be tightened via surgical and nonsurgical procedures. In the nonsurgical options, energy is delivered to the skin and fat in the lower face/upper neck to improve the contour. With surgery, excess skin is lifted and removed around the ears to improve the contour in the jawline.

The initial recovery from the operation is about 14 days. However, the full process of recovery and tissue remodeling, regaining sensation, etc. is about 6 months or so.

The goal of a facelift surgery is to make the face and neck look younger by removing excess skin, tightening the muscle and connective tissues, and elevating the cheek fat.

There are many nonsurgical options for minor laxity, however, the gold standard is a facelift.

Ear pain is uncommon after facelift. In fact, many patients will have temporary numbness in the area of the ears and lateral cheeks. If there is pain, this should be evaluated.

While its often referred to as a facelift, its actual medical name is a rhytidectomy.

It depends. Yes, a facelift can also address some neck/jowl sagging but it is often combined with a necklift for a more comprehensive rejuvenation.

YES! Facelifts are suitable for both men and women, with techniques tailored to each genders anatomy for natural-looking results.

Patients typically need 4 to 6 weeks before resuming vigorous physical activity.

A facelift primarily addresses sagging skin, but complementary treatments like neurotoxins, fillers, or lasers can help address deep wrinkles.

While a facelift provides long-lasting results, aging continues, and some patients may opt for touch-ups or non-surgical treatments over time.

Yes, there are many non-surgical devices for face and neck tightening. These energy-based skin tightening treatments aim to firm skin by heating deeper layers, but they have limitations. They cant tighten the platysma muscle in the neck, which requires surgical correction through a face and neck lift. For patients with poor skin elasticity, non-surgical devices may be used after surgery to enhance skin texture and results. In select younger patients with neck-only concerns, we may combine non-surgical facial treatments with limited neck surgery to avoid full incisions.

A SMAS facelift lifts and tightens the layer of muscle and connective tissue just below the skin to improve sagging in the lower face and neck, whereas a deep plane facelift goes beneath the SMAS layer to reposition deeper facial muscles and tissues for more natural and longer-lasting results.

Bruising and swelling after a facelift or neck lift usually subside within 2–3 weeks, so its best to avoid major events or photo opportunities during that time. Most patients experience gradual healing over 4–6 months, with continued improvement in the texture and color of incisions around the ears and under the chin.

About two days after your sutures are removed, use the provided jade roller three times a day for one minute, starting at the midline of your face with moderate pressure and rolling outward to promote lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness; keeping the roller cold enhances its soothing effect.

In facial and neck surgery, a small or recessed chin can limit jawline improvement. For patients with a short distance between their chin and the voice box, chin augmentation—usually with an implant—can enhance the angle between the jaw and neck, improving contour and overall facial harmony.

The rise in GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss has led to a common side effect known as Ozempic Face—loose skin and volume loss in the face after rapid weight loss. Surgical correction, often with a face and neck lift, can restore facial contour, though it may be more complex depending on age and weight loss extent.

Face and neck lift patients will have two drain bulbs after surgery, which may need to stay in longer depending on fluid collection; detailed instructions will be provided for safe home care and keeping the drains compressed to maintain suction. Button-up clothing is recommended to avoid pulling on the drains or delicate areas during recovery.

Face and neck lift patients should massage along the jawline three times daily for 3–5 minutes, using gentle pressure with the thumb and index finger to press along the incision and jaw bone, avoiding bruising or pain. If significant swelling or discomfort occurs, stop the massage and contact your care team.

We use devices like fractional CO2 lasers, radiofrequency microneedling, and IPL to improve surgical results by tightening skin, enhancing texture, addressing pigmentation, and managing scarring—especially after procedures like eyelid or facelift surgery—to help ensure more seamless healing and nearly invisible incisions.