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 and better reflect 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. After consulting with you, Dr. Rosenthal creates a personalized surgical plan, 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.

What Is Revision Facelift Surgery?

Women and men unhappy with the results of a facelift performed by another surgeon often turn to Dr. Rosenthal for a revision facelift, which is also called a secondary facelift. Because of scar tissue and other factors, a revision facelift is typically more technically demanding than a primary facelift. You can discuss your concerns with Dr. Rosenthal to determine if a revision procedure is right for you.

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. However, patients with more significant aging concerns may not be good candidates 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. A healthy lifestyle and consistent use of proper sunscreen can help prolong your results.

How many years younger do you look after facelift surgery?

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

What is a deep plane facelift?

A deep plane facelift is a technique that’s similar to a SMAS facelift. It’s more invasive and doesn’t necessarily produce better results than the SMAS procedure, which Dr. Rosenthal usually performs using just a local anesthetic and sedation. A deep plane lift involves putting the patient under a general anesthetic.

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.

What is a ‘ponytail’ facelift?

A ponytail facelift is a nickname for the mini facelift, a less invasive technique than a traditional facelift. It is appropriate for younger patients with early signs of aging.

When can I sleep on my side after a facelift?

Most patients can resume sleeping on their side about 4 weeks after facelift surgery. Before that time, it’s best to sleep on your back with your head elevated because sleeping on your side puts pressure on your incisions and increases swelling and bruising. Many patients find sleeping in a recliner during the first few weeks after facelift surgery the best option.