Facelift

Spending time outdoors throughout the year is one of the benefits of living in West Palm Beach and other South Florida communities, including Delray Beach, Wellington, and Boca Raton. Sun exposure combined with the natural aging process, though, can result in appearing older than you feel. Our facelift specialist in Boynton Beach, FL, uses advanced techniques—including performing facelifts with only local anesthesia—to create attractive, natural-looking results that can take years off your appearance.

Your Facelift Surgery

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew H. Rosenthal customizes each facelift procedure after consulting with patients and listening to their concerns. The techniques he uses emphasize elevating and tightening the “superficial musculoaponeurotic system” (SMAS)—the layer of fat and connective tissue below the skin.

A full facelift and neck lift using either a SMASectomy or SMAS plication—which describes an advanced suturing technique—reduces jowls, minimizes nasolabial folds and other wrinkles on the lower face. It also creates a smoother, slimmer neck and a more defined jawline.

Dr. Rosenthal begins the procedure by making discreet incisions concealed along the hairline and in the natural creases in front of the ear. He then gently lifts the skin and repositions and tightens the SMAS layer before carefully re-draping the skin and removing any excess without pulling the skin too tight. This technique prevents the unnatural, “windswept” appearance common with older techniques. Instead, you’ll look like a more youthful version of yourself. We also combine a facelift with skin rejuvenation treatments and fat grafting to restore volume.

The Beauty-FUL (Facelift Under Local) Facelift

We typically perform facelift surgery using local anesthesia with sedation to keep patients comfortable during the procedure. This conservative approach reduces the risk of complications and results in a faster recovery than facelift surgery performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Studies have shown that this technique is very safe and produces excellent results.

How Do You Know When You Need a Facelift?

The reasons women and men get facelift surgery vary quite a bit from person to person. Some people believe a more youthful appearance will help them remain competitive professionally. A facelift can also boost a person’s confidence in social settings, in addition to better reflecting the youthfulness they feel.

What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?

A facelift combined with a neck lift addresses aging of the mid and lower face. Specifically, it will:

• Reduce jowling
• Minimize sagging skin on the cheeks
• Eliminate vertical neckbands
• Create a more youthful profile
• Restore volume when combined with fat grafting

It’s important to have realistic expectations about the results and understand that a facelift doesn’t address signs of aging around the eyes or on the forehead.

Can I Combine My Facelift Surgery With Other Procedures?

To produce comprehensive results, Dr. Rosenthal may recommend combining your facelift with other facial rejuvenation procedures, including:

• Neck lift
• Brow lift
• Upper and/or lower eyelid surgery
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Chemical peel

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Boynton Beach?

The cost of a facelift depends on your specific concerns and the technique your surgeon uses to accomplish your cosmetic goals. Dr. Rosenthal creates a personalized surgical plan after consulting with you, and we provide a detailed price quote that you can review before scheduling surgery. We work with various companies that specialize in financing cosmetic surgery, including CareCredit®, PatientFi®, and Yes Doctor.

What Is a Mini Facelift?

Dr. Rosenthal may recommend a mini facelift if a less invasive approach can accomplish your goals. A mini facelift involves shorter incisions, less discomfort, and a shorter recovery and reflects the trend of many plastic surgery procedures. The goals remain the same, but Dr. Rosenthal adapts his techniques to optimize the rejuvenating effects of the surgery while minimizing its downsides.

Facelift Surgery Alternatives

If you’re not interested in or ready for surgery, Dr. Rosenthal can address early to moderate signs of aging with one or a combination of nonsurgical treatments such as:

• BOTOX® Cosmetic to correct dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet and frown lines.
• Dermal fillers to replace lost volume on the cheeks, at the temples, and around the eyes and smooth away smile lines and marionette lines around the mouth.
• Nonsurgical skin tightening with options like Sciton SkinTyte® laser treatments, Subnovii plasma pen, radiofrequency (RF) microneedling, and Sofwave™ ultrasound procedures to firm and smooth skin on the cheeks, jawline, and neck.

These nonsurgical treatments can also complement and help maintain the results of facelift surgery. Patients with more significant aging concerns may not be a good candidate for less invasive options to achieve their desired results.

What Happens During Facelift Recovery?

Facelift patients may heal at different rates, but you can likely expect your recovery to be similar to what is outlined below.

• Apply cold compresses: First 48 hours as directed
• Swelling and bruising peak: 3 to 4 days after the procedure
• Stitches removed: About 7 days post-surgery
• Sleep with head elevated: 7 to 10 days
• Bruising and swelling begin to fade: 7 to 10 days
• Return to work and nonstrenuous activities: 7 to 14 days, depending on comfort with residual swelling
• Resume lifting, bending, and strenuous activities: 4 weeks
• See noticeable improvements: 4 to 6 weeks
• Final results: 3 to 6 months

One thing to keep in mind is that if you’re planning to attend a significant social or professional event, such as a wedding, we recommend scheduling your facelift several months ahead of time to ensure you’re completely healed in time for the occasion.

Facelift FAQ

What’s the best age to get facelift surgery?

The best age for a facelift is when nonsurgical treatments no longer provide the rejuvenation you want. That said, healing, scarring, and collagen production are typically better in younger patients.

Am I too old to get a facelift?

Age is not the limiting factor when it comes to having a facelift; you must be physically and emotionally healthy.

How painful is the surgery and recovery period?

Many patients are surprised that they experience minimal discomfort after facelift surgery. This is especially true when the procedure is performed using a local anesthetic with light sedation.

How long will my facelift results last?

Facelifts provide long-lasting results but cannot stop the aging process. Depending on your age at the time of surgery, you may need additional surgery in the future. You can help prolong your results with a healthy lifestyle and using proper sunscreen consistently.

How many years younger do you look after facelift surgery?

Patients typically look 8 to 12 years younger after a full facelift.

What’s the difference between a surgical facelift and a liquid facelift?

A surgical facelift involves incisions and the repositioning of underlying tissues to achieve a more youthful appearance, offering long-lasting results. In contrast, a liquid facelift uses injectable fillers and neurotoxins to reduce wrinkles and add volume without surgery, providing temporary results.