Facelift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Miami, FL
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a popular surgical procedure designed to restore youthful aesthetics by addressing sagging skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the face. During a facelift, face and neck muscles are tightened and excess skin is removed for a smooth and lifted appearance. Neck contour and profile are enhanced and a more defined jawline is created. Patients tend to look five to ten years younger after a facelift.
The surgeons of the Plastic Surgery Institute of Miami are some of Florida’s leading facelift surgeons. If you would like to further explore the rejuvenating possibilities that facelifts offer, then we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of these expert surgeons. We are a leading provider of cosmetic care, and we can help you achieve your aesthetic goals with personalized treatment plans.
Schedule your consultation online today, or call us directly at (305) 446-7700.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Facelifts
A facelift is a surgical procedure that promotes facial rejuvenation by tightening skin and underlying tissues and removing excess fat. Over time, natural aging leads to loss of skin elasticity and volume in the face, resulting in sagging skin, jowls, and deeper facial lines. (1) Factors like genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices often exacerbate these issues. The procedure tightens facial skin, enhances contour, and reduces signs of aging, making it a sought-after choice for many individuals looking to rejuvenate their appearance.
If you have ever felt self-conscious about your facial features due to age-related changes, a facelift could be the ideal solution for you. A desire to improve moderate to severe sagging skin and wrinkling in the mid and lower face/neck is the most common reason men and women choose a facelift. Although there are many effective minimally invasive anti-aging cosmetic procedures available, they typically cannot come close to the dramatic and long-lasting rejuvenation a facelift provides. (1)
While the procedure of course does not stop facial aging altogether, most patients look at least several years younger after they recover from their procedure. Because of our surgeons’ education, experience, and artistry, results appear natural.
Benefits
Our team of experts are exceptionally talented facelift surgeons. When patients receive treatment at Plastic Surgery Institute Miami, they regularly experience:
- Improved facial contours: Tightening sagging skin and underlying muscles restore youthful contours to the face.
- Reduction of wrinkles: Smooth out nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and other creases.
- Enhanced jawline definition: Tightening sagging jowls and removing excess skin from the upper neck enhances the jawline for a more defined profile.
- Restored volume: Different techniques can restore lost facial volume, creating a fuller appearance.
- Boosted self-confidence: A rejuvenated look can greatly enhance confidence levels.
- Long-lasting results: Unlike non-surgical anti-aging treatments, facelifts offer results that can last for many years.
- Natural-looking outcomes: Advanced surgical techniques preserve facial expression while achieving youthful enhancement.
- Combined procedures: Easily combine with additional treatments like brow lifts or dermal fillers for comprehensive rejuvenation.
Candidates
Ideal candidates for a facelift include men and women grappling with signs of aging, such as sagging skin across the cheeks and jawline, deepening smile or marionette lines, lack of definition in the jaw or neck areas, or a generalized loss of volume in the face. The best candidates are usually in good overall health, do not smoke, and hold realistic expectations regarding the outcomes. Age alone does not disqualify someone; as long as an individual is in good health, they may benefit from this procedure.
Personal Consultation
If you are interested in a customized facelift, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation with one of our surgeons. The surgeons of the Plastic Surgery Institute of Miami believe communication between patient and surgeon is key for receiving optimal results. That communication starts at your initial consultation, which will include a thorough evaluation of your medical history, a complete physical examination, and a detail-oriented discussion of your facelift goals.
All of the numerous options for your surgery and techniques that address your specific concerns are discussed as well.
Preparation
Each patient will receive a set of specific preparation instructions that align with their goals and unique medical history. Patients who smoke (or use nicotine in other forms) will be asked to abstain before, during, and after their procedure. Alcohol and cannabis should also be avoided. You may be asked to adjust your medication regimen to avoid blood thinners or any other medications that could cause issues. Most facelifts are performed with general anesthesia, so you will be asked to fast for a set timeframe and also arrange transportation to and from your treatment through a trusted friend or family member. This individual should also plan to stay with you for a few hours after your procedure to monitor your initial recovery.
If you have any questions regarding proper preparation, please raise these during your consultation or contact our office with any questions at (305) 446-7700.
Procedure
Each facelift is tailored to the unique needs of the individual. Patients have more options than ever and work with their surgeons to design a plan that helps them reach all of their goals. One of three facelift procedures is chosen to meet your specific goals and unique anatomy. A traditional facelift procedure often rejuvenates the midface, lower face, and neck. Two variations of traditional facelifts are the minimally invasive or mini-facelift and the deep plane facelift. The mini is an option for younger women who need less tightening and rejuvenation. This can often be achieved with fewer incisions and a smaller procedure. The deep plane lift is the most advanced type of facelift, which is now the gold standard in achieving the longest-lasting, most beautiful, and most natural results. This is the go-to procedure for patients seeking the most dramatic result and are optimal medical and anatomical candidates.
After creating access to underlying tissues through discreetly placed incisions, your surgeon will tighten your facial muscles and remove excess skin, sculpting a youthful appearance. (2) After internal corrections are made and excess skin is removed, the skin is redraped and incisions are closed with sutures. The duration of surgery typically ranges between 4 to 6 hours, depending on the complexity of the case. Patients are monitored closely during recovery and given instructions on how to care for their incision sites.
Recovery
Following a facelift, it is normal to experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can usually be managed effectively through prescribed medications. Recovery time varies, but many patients return to light activities within a week and resume normal routines after 2 to 4 weeks. During your recovery, you should keep your head elevated to minimize swelling or pooling, especially while sleeping. We recommend that patients form the habit of sleeping on their backs with their heads elevated a few weeks before their procedure. Patients should avoid all strenuous activities until they are cleared to resume by their surgeon.
Results
Patients can expect to notice a smoother, firmer appearance after their facelift. A facelift yields results that can last from 10 to 15 years, subject to individual aging processes and lifestyle factors. Most patients enjoy improved facial contours, reduced wrinkles, and a revitalized appearance. Scars from the incision are strategically placed and often become less noticeable over time.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Oftentimes, reaching the patient’s goals means combining a facelift with other procedures that address other issues. Popular additions to facelifts are procedures that have a refined focus on specific parts of the face, like blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), brow lifts, neck lifts, and more. Autologous fat transfers or other dermal fillers can be used to treat volume loss in certain areas as well. Some add-on procedures can be performed during a facelift, but others may have to wait until patients recover.
Cost of Facelifts in Miami
The surgeons of the Plastic Surgery Institute of Miami prepare each facelift procedure per a patient’s unique anatomy, goals, medical history, and more, so customized facelift costs can vary. Your procedure costs are thoroughly explained during your initial consultation. If you have any questions about arranging a payment plan or have any questions regarding procedures, payments, pricing, preparation, our practice, or more, please do not hesitate to contact our Miami office by calling (305) 446-7700.
FAQ
Why should I choose a facelift over non-surgical options?
Some various nonsurgical creams and lasers can reduce your fine lines and wrinkles and improve your skin texture. However, no nonsurgical treatment option can improve moderate to severe sagging skin like a facelift can. A facelift provides more dramatic results than a nonsurgical treatment because excess skin is removed and tightened.
Does a facelift help with sagging skin in the neck?
Yes, a facelift often addresses the jowls and neck area, enhancing overall facial harmony. Patients concerned specifically about neck contours may also consider additional procedures like a neck lift for optimal results.
How long do the results of a facelift last?
The effects of a facelift can last for several years, though the exact duration may vary depending on individual factors like genetics and environmental influences.
What are nonsurgical facelift alternatives?
For those seeking alternatives, options such as dermal fillers, Botox, or laser treatments provide varying degrees of rejuvenation without the requirement of surgery. However, these solutions typically result in temporary improvements compared to surgical interventions.
What is the best age to receive a facelift?
There is no fixed “best” age for a facelift. Many patients opt for the procedure between their late 30s to early 60s. Individual skin conditions and personal goals play significant roles in determining the right timing.
References
- Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/
- Barrett DM, Casanueva FJ, Wang TD. Evolution of the rhytidectomy. World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2016;2(1):38-44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wjorl.2015.12.001