What Can a Facelift Address?
Deep Facial Wrinkles
Collagen and elastin are the two most important substances when it comes to maintaining skin elasticity. As we get older, our bodies begin to produce less of these two substances. This causes wrinkles throughout hot spots on the face, such as nasolabial folds from the nose to the corners of the mouth and marionette lines that extend downward from the mouth corners. By pulling the skin tight, facelift surgery can smooth wrinkles in the lower two-thirds of the face.
Sagging in the Face & Neck
The aging process also causes the underlying structures of the face to become lax, leading to sagging cheeks and drooping jowls along the jawline. As the tissues of the neck also fall, a condition known as “turkey neck” develops, which can also create the appearance of a double chin. But unlike a double chin made of fat, a double chin caused by tissue laxity cannot be corrected through diet or exercise. Facelift surgery lifts and adjusts the underlying structures to correct sagging in the face and neck.
Sunken Facial Contours
The combination of excess skin and fat loss from aging makes it common for certain areas like the cheeks or eyes to look sunken in or depressed. For some patients who have subtle skin depression, facial fillers may be enough to correct the problem. But in most cases, facelift surgery combined with fat grafting is the best way to correct a sunken appearance caused by the natural aging process.
Facelift Techniques
Traditional Facelift
This is the most common facelift method. The incisions for this technique begin inside the hairline near the temples and extend backward around the ear and end in the lower scalp. Through these incisions, your surgeon will reposition the facial skin and muscle, excising any excess and then redraping what remains. The result is a redefined contour and significantly less skin wrinkling and sagging throughout the face.
Mini Facelift
Patients with minor to moderate skin laxity may be better suited for the mini facelift. Rather than extending down toward the scalp, an incision is made near the temple and stops behind the ear. Your surgeon will still reposition the skin and muscle, but the results will be less extensive since the incision is smaller.
Neck Lift
In most cases, a neck lift is combined with a facelift to produce a harmonious appearance and comprehensive rejuvenation of the face and neck. When a patient’s severe skin laxity and sagging are addressed on the face and not the neck, the disparity between the two is obvious and disrupts the results of the rejuvenated face.
Fat Transfer
Our face loses fat as we age and creates the stereotypical “deflated” or gaunt appearance. Fat transfer restores this volume to treat dark circles below the eyes and fill deep creases and facial hollows for fuller, more youthful facial contours.
“Thank you so much for all your help in making this very important decision. Your staff was very welcoming and so sweet. Your honesty is very refreshing and I look forward to soon scheduling my surgery!”
"I have had a few people tell me to check out other doctors with cheaper costs but am not interested at all. I am very insecure when it comes to certain parts of my body and i felt very comfortable and sure that I wanted you to do this surgery."
"I had gone too 2 diffrent locations , this place made me automatically made my mind up I had two recommendations from this place and I love the work they did on them , staff is very nice as well as the surgeon I love this place very pleased with my procedure."
Individual results may vary
Concerns
Recovery
During the first week of your recovery, it is essential to get as much rest as possible. You should have someone with you during the first day or so to assist you with small tasks. To reduce swelling, you should keep yourself in a reclined position rather than lying down.
Scars
Your surgeon will make the incisions as inconspicuously as possible. Scarring will differ based on which techniques are used and your unique anatomy. Protect the scar from sunlight to reduce its appearance. All scars will fade with time, but you will have a pretty good idea of what kind of scars you will have by the one-year mark.
Cost
The cost of your facelift will depend on the surgical, facility, and anesthesia fees. You will receive a detailed price quote after your consultation. Qualifying patients are eligible for financing options.
Pain
You may experience minor pain and discomfort after your procedure, but these can all be addressed with over-the-counter or prescription medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will insurance cover a facelift?
Facelifts are elective surgeries, so most insurance companies will not cover their cost. Financing is available through our office for qualified patients.
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How should I prepare for facelift surgery?
If you are planning on having facelift surgery, you should avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or other herbal supplements. You should also quit smoking as soon as possible to reduce your risk of complications.
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What are the risks of facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery comes with the same set of risks as most other surgeries. Some of these risks are anesthesia complications, blood clots, infection, unfavorable scarring, and poor wound healing.
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How long will facelift surgery results last?
While the results of a facelift are generally permanent, the corrections cannot prevent future aging from occurring. At some point, facial skin laxity may return from the natural aging process or because of external factors like sun exposure.
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Am I a candidate for facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery candidates are generally healthy, do not smoke, have realistic expectations for the surgery, and are within their ideal body weight.
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Are there non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation as an alternative to facelift surgery?
While injectable fillers like JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, and RADIESSE® as well as peels like the VI Peel® and glycolic peels can improve your complexion, they cannot address significantly sagging skin and wrinkles the way facelift surgery can.
Dr. Andreasen is the premier plastic surgeon in the Inland Empire of SoCal
Troy J. Andreasen, M.D.
3333 Concours St Bldg #3
Ontario CA 91764
Phone: 909-291-4900
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