We all start developing signs of facial aging as we get older. No matter how diligently you maintain a healthy lifestyle and utilize skin care treatments, the wear and tear of sun exposure, gravity, and general aging will eventually impact your appearance. If you would like to reverse some of these signs of aging, a facelift might be the best option to potentially achieve your goals.
While there are a wide range of non-surgical skin rejuvenation options available, the facelift remains an effective procedure in terms of potentially delivering, more notable and longer lasting results. Dr. Jay Orringer will tailor your facelift procedure to address your unique needs. To receive individualized recommendations from our double board certified plastic surgeon, please contact our Beverly Hills office to schedule a facelift consultation.
Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?
Ideal facelift candidates are in good general health and have realistic expectations regarding the outcome of their procedure. In addition, you may be a good candidate for a facelift if you would like to improve one or more of the following issues:
- Loose, sagging skin and excess fat beneath the chin and neck
- Jowls
- Drooping cheeks
- Banding in the neck
Your Customized Facelift Options
Dr. Orringer takes an individualized approach to all facelift procedures. During your consultation, he will perform a thorough examination in order to arrive at a treatment plan aimed at achieving your desired results.
Depending on your unique concerns and goals, Dr. Orringer may recommend one of the following facelift techniques or a combination:
- Standard Facelift – This addresses redundant skin of the face and neck and often excess fat of the neck. In addition, aged appearing muscle bands in the neck are often addressed. A neck lift is usually done as part of the facelift procedure. Doing one without the other often leaves the part that was not rejuvenated looking less youthful and disharmonious.
- Extended SMAS Lift – This technique is usually done at the time of the skin tightening and provides a tightening of the soft tissues beneath the skin of the face such as the muscle cover called the SMAS and the platysma muscle which extends from the neck onto the face. This usually helps to re-elevate fat that has descended over time, creating a more aged appearance.
- Facial Fat Grafting – Fat is harvested from a donor site on your body and injected into your facial region to potentially restore lost volume, improve the appearance of wrinkles, and achieve a more youthful appearance. This is often done in combination with a facelift.
In some instances, Dr. Orringer may also recommend one or more of the following procedures in conjunction with a facelift to potentially achieve enhanced results:
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
- Brow lift
It is important to understand that complete elimination of all signs of aging is not achieved. Dr. Orringer’s goal with a facelift is a rejuvenation that still has you looking like yourself, but more rested and potentially more youthful in appearance.
Please contact Dr. Jay Orringer at The Renaissance Medical Center for Aesthetic Surgery, Inc. to schedule your facelift consultation today. We serve patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Hollywood, California, nationally, and internationally.
Facelift FAQs
How does a facelift compare to non-surgical options like fillers or skin tightening treatments?
While non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers and neuromodulators (such as Botox) may provide temporary improvement in early signs of aging, they do not reposition deep facial structures or remove excess skin. A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to address more advanced aging by lifting and supporting the underlying tissues. Dr. Orringer helps patients understand whether their goals may be met with non-surgical methods or if surgical intervention is more appropriate.
Will I have visible scars after a facelift?
All surgical procedures involve incisions, and with facelift surgery, these are typically placed along natural creases, around the ears, and usually within the hairline, to help conceal them. With proper care, these incisions often heal in a pleasing manner. Dr. Orringer provides detailed instructions on scar care and follows patients throughout the healing process to monitor incision progress.
Does facelift surgery differ for men and women?
Yes. While the overall goal of rejuvenation is similar, surgical planning is adjusted based on gender-specific anatomy and aesthetic preferences. For female patients, improvement in jowls and deepening of the nasolabial folds, as well as highlighting the cheekbones, and improvement in neck appearance are often priorities. Brow lift and eyelid surgery often accompany a facelift. For male patients, it is also often a priority to lessen excess neck skin and fat, preserve more natural beard lines and jaw structure, and maintain a masculine appearance. Dr. Orringer adapts his approach based on each patient’s facial characteristics, aesthetic deformities, and goals.
Is facelift surgery appropriate for all age groups?
There is no fixed age for a facelift. Some patients seek surgery in their 40s to address early sagging, while others wait until their 50s or 60s. The right time for a facelift depends on skin quality, tissue laxity, and personal goals rather than age alone. Dr. Orringer provides an honest assessment of whether a facelift may be beneficial at the current stage of aging.
What’s the difference between SMAS and deep plane facelift techniques?
Both techniques address the underlying support structures of the face. The SMAS facelift focuses on tightening the superficial muscular layer, while the deep plane technique releases deeper tissue layers and may offer more dramatic lifting in select patients. Dr. Orringer primarily uses a SMAS tightening approach, which may allow for a less pulled appearance and maximizing safety. The aging face commonly loses fat volume. Dr. Orringer often transfers fat to replace missing volume and potentially provide a more youthful appearance.
Can a facelift be performed a second time?
Yes, some patients opt for a revision facelift years after their initial procedure. Over time, natural aging will affect the tissues again. A second facelift is planned based on the patient’s current anatomy, goals, and the surgical history of the first procedure. Dr. Orringer evaluates each revision case, taking into account the unique anatomy and individual considerations of every patient.
Are there special considerations for facelift surgery in patients with ethnic skin types?
Yes. Skin thickness, pigmentation, and scar tendency may vary by skin type. Dr. Orringer considers these factors when planning incision placement and tension, always aiming for subtle, balanced results that respect each patient’s unique features. Attention is given to healing patterns and scar care to help limit visible scarring on darker or more sensitive skin.
What should I do to prepare for facelift surgery?
In preparation for surgery, patients are typically advised to stop smoking, adjust certain medications, and avoid supplements that may increase bleeding. Good skin care and overall health maintenance are also encouraged. Dr. Orringer’s office provides a customized pre-surgery guide for patients in the weeks leading up to, and following, their procedure.
