Quick Facts About Facelift Surgery

Principle Benefits: A facelift restores youthful contours by lifting sagging skin, tightening facial muscles, and reducing deep creases, leading to a refreshed, natural look.
Candidates: Facelift surgery is typically ideal for individuals in good health with noticeable signs of aging in the lower two-thirds of the face, such as sagging cheeks, jowls, or loose neck skin, and realistic expectations.
Recovery Timeline: Initial recovery generally lasts about 1-2 weeks, with most swelling and bruising subsiding during this period. Full recovery may take several months, but results are long-lasting.
Average Cost: The cost of a facelift typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, though this can vary based on the complexity of the procedure and whether any additional treatments are included.

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 Benefits
Facelift Candidates
Facelift Treatment Areas
Best Age for a Facelift
Non-Surgical Facelift
Facelift Procedure
Facelift Recovery
Facelift Scars
Facelift Results
Why Choose Dr. Cytryn for Facelift Surgery?
Facelift Cost
Facelift FAQs

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.

What Concerns Can a Facelift Treat?

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.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Patients concerned with severe wrinkles, submental fat, and loose, sagging skin in the face and neck area are typically good candidates for facelift surgery. In general, patients should be in good overall health and not have any serious medical conditions that can negatively impact treatment or recovery. Also, ideal candidates typically have good skin elasticity that can “bounce” back into place after being stretched. It is important for patients to be positive throughout the process and have realistic expectations of their results. During the consultation, Dr. Cytryn will do a careful examination of the patient’s skin and discuss their goals to determine if they are a good candidate for facelift surgery.

Does Facelift Surgery Address the Entire Face?

Facelift surgery is designed to address the middle and lower portions of the face, specifically areas from the cheeks to the neck. Other cosmetic procedures, like brow lift surgery, upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty can improve the other parts of the face that a facelift may not be able to address. Dr. Cytryn can go over which procedure is the best for your aesthetic needs and goals. He may recommend one or a combination of these treatments to achieve more comprehensive improvement.

What Is the Best Age for a Facelift?

Although there is no exact age when a person should get a facelift, the surgery can most benefit patients in their 40s to 60s who are showing signs of aging in the face and neck. This includes fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and excess submental fat. Patients who are currently doing non-surgical treatments for their age-related concerns, like cosmetic injections, and find that they are not getting the results they desire may want to consider a facelift. Surgery can achieve more dramatic and long-lasting results that non-surgical alternatives may not be able to provide. During the consultation, Dr. Cytryn will take into consideration age and other factors when determining if a person is a good candidate for facelift surgery.

Is a Facelift Without Surgery Possible?

There are a few injectable treatments that can serve as temporary solutions to address signs of facial aging; however, none of them can provide the same lasting and rejuvenating benefits as a facelift procedure. For patients who desire a less invasive option that provides more subtle improvement, we offer a variety of cosmetic injectables. Our selection includes BOTOX^® Cosmetic, Dysport^®, JUVÉDERM^®, and more. If you are more interested in non-surgical facial rejuvenation, Dr. Cytryn can help determine the best treatment for your needs and aesthetic goals.

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.

Why Choose Dr. Cytryn for Facelift Surgery?

Dr. Cytryn has many years of experience working as a board-certified oculoplastic and facial plastic surgeon. His top priority is the safety and comfort of the patient, which is why he always carefully listens to each individual’s needs and cosmetic desires. Dr. Cytryn treats every person that walks into our office with respect and aims to provide a compassionate, welcoming environment. Throughout treatment, our team is available to answer any and all of your questions so that you can feel confident in our care. The majority of our patients are very happy with their results, which is why Dr. Cytryn is considered a trusted plastic surgeon in the community.

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.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift Surgery

Does a facelift always include a neck lift?

Many patients choose to include a neck lift as a part of their facelift for more comprehensive rejuvenation, especially in cases where jowling, vertical neck banding, or other “lower face” concerns are present. That said, a neck lift may not be necessary or appropriate in every case. During your consultation, Dr. Cytryn will discuss your aesthetic concerns and evaluate the skin quality of the chin, jawline, and neck to help you make an informed decision.

Is a facelift painful?

During a facelift procedure, the patient will be under anesthesia, meaning that they should not experience any pain or discomfort. During recovery, symptoms such as swelling, bruising, and soreness are considered normal and can usually be managed with prescribed medication and adequate rest until the effects subside.

Will my face look “pulled” or “stretched” after facelift surgery?

When performed by a highly-qualified facial plastic surgeon, facelift results typically look quite natural. Dr. Cytryn takes a personalized approach to each procedure, taking into account a patient’s age, facial characteristics, skin elasticity, and other factors to ensure the best possible outcome. Ultimately, a facelift should leave a patient looking refreshed and rejuvenated, not unnaturally “pulled” or “stretched,”

What is the best way to sleep after a facelift?

It is highly recommended that patients sleep on their back with their head and neck elevated after facelift surgery. Many patients choose to sleep in a recliner or supported by pillows for optimal comfort. An inclined position supports the healing and recovery process by protecting the incisions, encouraging healthy blood flow, and reducing swelling.

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.