Over time, our facial appearance is impacted by numerous factors both in and out of our control, including genetics, environmental elements, lifestyle habits and interests, and even the natural process of aging. While the timing and significance of their effects on the face vary by individual, these factors often lead to wrinkles, skin laxity, jowling, volume loss, neck banding, and various other cosmetic concerns that can make us look much older than we truly are or feel. Fortunately, when aesthetic issues such as these present themselves, there are several treatments available that can help restore a more youthful facial appearance—one of the most effective and popular of which is facelift surgery.

What Is a Facelift?
Facelift Procedure
Facelift Recovery
Facelift Scars
Facelift Results
Facelift Cost

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to achieve a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance through the treatment of aesthetic concerns in the lower face and mid to upper neck. Although loose skin is addressed, the operation does not simply involve removing excess skin. In fact, the basis of all facelifts is tightening of the underlying supporting structures of the face and neck. In addition to this tissue tightening and skin excision, facelift surgery can include fat removal/redistribution, as well as skin rejuvenation in the form of fillers, laser resurfacing, and/or BOTOX^® injections, when necessary.

In short, a facelift can be customized to effectively treat:

Moderate to severe lines and wrinkles
Excess skin and sagging tissue in the face and neck (including jowling)
Under-chin fat accumulation
Facial volume loss and/or fat displacement
Muscle band laxity in the neck

With more than 25 years of experience, Albert Cytryn, MD is well-versed in personalizing facelift surgery for both males and females. Whether performed as a single procedure or in combination with blepharoplasty and/or brow lift surgery, he takes a “less is more” approach and always has the same goal: a rejuvenated, rested appearance that looks completely natural.

How Is the Facelift Procedure Performed?

Facelift surgery is generally performed under light IV sedation, typically taking about one and a half to three hours to complete, depending on whether a modified (small-incision) facelift or a more extensive face and neck lift is performed. Total treatment time may also be extended if complementary procedures are simultaneously conducted. When an area of greater laxity that includes the neck is being addressed, the facelift incision is usually extended behind the ear, but hidden in the posterior hairline. Through this incision, underlying tissue/musculature is carefully elevated and tightened, and any excess skin is removed. This procedure will also often include liposuction of the under-chin and neck to remove stubborn fat, as well as tightening of the platysma muscle to help further create a more desirable neck contour. For patients who do not present with extensive looseness of tissue, a small- or minimal-incision facelift may be ideal. This incision is hidden in the contours within the front of the ear, and with just one or two underlying support sutures, the lower face and jawline can be rejuvenated. Once the surgical aspect of treatment is complete, cosmetic injectables and/or laser resurfacing may be performed to help enhance the final outcome, depending on the specifics of your customized plan.

Prior to each surgery, my consultations with Dr. Cytryn showed him to be sympathetic to all of my concerns. He is honest, confident, and reassuring. He is patient and takes as long as needed to discuss every aspect of your surgery with you. He has a kind, warm, and caring personality and his skill level is outstanding.

What Is Recovery from Facelift Surgery Like?

In the initial days following facelift surgery, some degree of swelling, soreness, and bruising is to be expected. That said, these side effects are temporary and should gradually diminish with time. Rarely do Dr. Cytryn’s patients report feeling significant pain after treatment, but medication can generally provide effective relief if any discomfort is experienced. After approximately seven to ten days, you will likely be able to resume non-strenuous work and normal daily routines; however, in order to provide ample healing time and help ensure an optimal result, Dr. Cytryn usually advises that exercise and other vigorous activities be avoided for several weeks.

Will I Have Visible Facelift Scars?

When a minimally invasive, small-incision facelift technique is employed, incisions are generally concealed in natural contours located in front of the ears, making the resulting scarring nearly invisible. With a more extensive face and neck lift approach, these incisions typically continue behind the ears, though the surgical lines also remain virtually undetectable as they are hidden within the posterior hairline. Of course, the ultimate visibility of facelift scarring will further depend on factors such as genetics and how closely postoperative incision care instructions are followed—but the vast majority of Dr. Cytryn’s patients have no concerns about scars once the incision lines have fully healed and scar tissue has matured.

How Long Do Facelift Results Last?

In general, facelift surgery results tend to last about 10–15 years before signs of aging become apparent enough that some individuals might consider another rejuvenative procedure—though it is often of the non-surgical, minimally invasive variety as opposed to a second surgical facelift. That being said, it is important to note that at this 10–15 year postoperative mark (and even continuing thereafter), patients who underwent facelift surgery will still appear younger than they would if they had never received treatment in the first place. While some factors that impact the longevity of facelift results cannot be controlled—e.g. one’s genetics and natural rate of aging—there are certain elements that can be managed to some degree, including the surgical technique utilized as well as self-care and lifestyle habits following surgery. At our practice, Dr. Cytryn is careful to elevate underlying facial tissue in addition to skin when performing facelifts, as lifting skin alone can often lead to shorter results. Additionally, he often encourages patients to maintain a healthy skin care routine after treatment, as well as to avoid potentially detrimental lifestyle choices like smoking, getting excessive sun exposure, and eating a poor diet. Following your facelift surgery, Dr. Cytryn can provide personalized suggestions on how to help prolong your results based on your unique needs and lifestyle.

What Does a Facelift Cost?

At Cytryn Cosmetic Surgery, a minimally invasive, small-incision facelift may cost as little as $5,000, while a more extensive face and neck lift can be $10,000. While this price range can give you a good indication of what to expect financially, it’s important to note that the total expense may fall outside of these numbers due to factors such as treatment complexity and the number/type of complementary procedures performed—if any. To obtain a custom price quote for facelift surgery, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cytryn, at which time he can provide a personalized quote based on the recommended treatment plan for your unique needs and aesthetic desires.

Book a Consultation with Dr. Cytryn

To learn more about facelift surgery, or to find out if this facial rejuvenation procedure is right for you, please feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cytryn by contacting us online or by phone today.