What is a Facelift?

The facelift, or Rhytidectomy, is the third most common facial plastic surgery performed in the United States. As we age, crow’s feet become visible near our eyes. The near-invisible lines on the forehead become prominent, and the jawline sags. Some people experience the emergence of a “second chin.” Unfortunately, we must all deal with these negative aspects of gravity that come with age.

Choosing to get a facelift offers a boost in both appearance and self-esteem. We have the technology, it’s up to you to learn more and make the next step into a more youthful you. A Beverly Hills Facelift® with Dr. Paul Nassif can do wonders for your face, taking years off and tightening loose folds, and can also be combined with a number of other procedures for an overall rejuvenated, younger look.

What are the Benefits of Facelift Surgery?

A facelift boosts confidence and provides a rejuvenated appearance. Deep plane facelifts provide many benefits and target multiple concerns.

  • Lifts and firms aging skin, eliminating jowls and firming the neck to provide youthful lines
  • Addresses many signs of aging at once to provide a more youthful appearance
  • Tightens the skin and contours the facial features
  • Smooth and defines the jawline, doing away with jowls or a double chin
  • Turns back the clock as much as ten years
  • Smooths or erases wrinkles and heavy lines and folds around the mouth, including marionette lines and smile lines
  • Replaces lost volume in sagging cheeks
  • Enhances self confidence
  • Provides very long-lasting, natural-looking rejuvenation
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Am I a candidate for a facelift?

Dr. Nassif will review your medical history and lifestyle choices during your initial consultation to determine whether you are a candidate for a facelift. He may also perform a physical exam. 

The soft tissues of your face and neck should sag with deep wrinkles, a double chin, and jowls. If your skin is not flexible or you are significantly overweight, you likely will not be a good candidate for a facelift.

You are likely a good candidate for a face lift in Los Angeles with Dr. Nassif if you:

  • Are good mental and physical health
  • Are a nonsmoker 
  • Have realistic expectations of the outcome
  • Have sufficient skin elasticity
  • Understand the recovery process

Remember that a facelift is not a permanent solution to aging, so you may need another procedure as you age to maintain your youthful appearance.

Woman looking at herself in a handheld mirror

Facelift Consultation

The first visit to see Dr. Nassif is called the consultation. This is an open arena to discuss the goals of the procedure and any questions or concerns you may have. During your consultation for facelift surgery in Los Angeles, Dr. Nassif will assess your current facial features and make recommendations on how to proceed.

You will need to disclose your full medical history to the physician. Be sure you tell him about any drug or alcohol use. Also, please bring a current list of any medications and supplements that you take to the consultation. If you have any spiritual or religious requirements before, during, or after your procedure, inform Dr. Nassif. We want to take care of your whole well-being. Dr. Nassif will also take photographs of your face and neckline during your consultation. This provides a point of reference for changes needed to be made during the surgery. Providing all this information seems daunting and personal, but it gives the physician the best understanding of your overall health and candidacy for the procedure.

Before & After Facelift Surgery with Dr. Nassif

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Facelift Procedure

The Evening and Morning before the Procedure

You will need to refrain from drinking or eating anything the night before your Beverly Hills Facelift®, usually beginning at midnight. You need to shower with an anti-microbial soap the evening before the procedure and again the morning of the procedure. This removes dangerous pathogens from your body.


The Surgery

The surgery begins with the use of general anesthesia. This will allow for the best surgical experience. An incision will then be made along the hairline and in the natural creases of the skin near the ear to hide any possible scars. Depending on the amount of work being completed, additional incisions may be made in the upper lip or lower eyelids, or under the chin. Through these incisions, fat and underlying tissues are sculpted and redistributed to form the desired contours. Muscles and other deep tissues may be lifted, tightened, or otherwise altered. Excess skin is trimmed away to reduce sagging, and then the remaining skin is pulled tight across the new contours of the face.

A less invasive alternative to this traditional facelift technique is the limited incision facelift, wherein the procedure is performed through shorter incisions at the temples, around the ear, and potentially through the lower eyelids or upper lip.

If you selected to have any other procedures performed while under anesthesia, Dr. Nassif will move on to them at this point. After closing the final incisions and placing dressings, Dr. Nassif will send you into a specialized recovery unit. On occasion, drainage tubes will be inserted to remove excess fluid from the incision sites.


Recovery

Following your facelift surgery in Los Angeles, you will awaken in the recovery room. You may experience pain or nausea; inform the nursing staff, and they will administer medications to relieve the problem.

Stick to a soft, bland diet for the first few days after your procedure. If you are able to tolerate other foods, you may advance your diet. Depending on the location of your incisions, you must follow any other specific dietary restrictions given to you at the time of discharge.

Promote proper healing and circulation by staying minimally active during the days following your procedure. This reduces the chances of developing complications, such as pneumonia or DVTs—dangerous blood clots in the deep tissues of the body. Don’t over-exert yourself, and don’t lift anything without being cleared to do so by your physician.

You must keep your head elevated when you sleep for a minimum of two weeks after your procedure. This reduces the amount of swelling and promotes proper healing of your incisions. Your face will swell significantly for the first few days after your surgery. If you notice any abnormal or excessive bleeding, elevated temperature, excessive pain, or severe bruising beyond the expectation, contact Dr. Nassif or go to an emergency medical center immediately. After one to two days, Dr. Nassif will remove the bandages or drains. Avoid getting these wet when you still have them because the moisture promotes the growth of bacteria.

While a facelift provides an amazing opportunity for rejuvenation and enhanced self-confidence, combining this procedure with other procedures (most often a necklift) can give you the best possible result.

Get the most from life

Dr. Paul Nassif understands the importance of feeling confident in your appearance. He works with patients to enhance their natural beauty and allow them to get the most out of life. If you are interested in an appointment with Dr. Nassif, contact our office to schedule your consultation.

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Types of Facelifts

When performed by the expert hands of Dr. Paul Nassif, your Los Angeles facelift targets the underlying structures of the facial muscle and tissue to:

  • Smooth the appearance of deep wrinkles and creases
  • Refine the jawline and tighten jowls
  • Awaken the appearance of the face
  • Lift drooping facial areas such as cheeks and eyebrows to restore a more youthful appearance
  • Restore your self-confidence

Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane facelift is a surgical procedure used to address severe facial aging, including the cheeks and neck. This customized surgical procedure lifts the underlying muscle tissue into a more youthful position, targeting sunken cheeks, sagging of the neck, and overall issues of skin laxity. This procedure is particularly useful for addressing issues in the mid-face, which often don’t respond to traditional facelift methods. A deep plane facelift allows Dr. Nassif the ability to address more than excess skin by repositioning and tightening sagging or loosened facial muscles to restore a natural looking definition and contour.

SMAS Facelift

The superficial muscular aponeurotic system facelift, or SMAS, was created to address issues of skin and muscle laxity in the lower two thirds of the face. The SMAS facelift can help to turn back the clock on signs of aging in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, jowls, and jawline. During a SMAS facelift, Dr. Nassif will tighten the underlying muscles of the face while removing fat and trimming excess skin for a revitalized facial appearance.

Mini Facelift

The mini facelift is useful for targeting aging in the lower region of the face, particularly mild to moderate sagging of the jowls and jawline. Younger patients often seek a mini facelift when the visible signs of aging set in causing you to look tired, overworked, or older than you would prefer. This procedure is not designed to address heavy sagging of the jowls or neckline, rather, it should be used to create smoother, more uplifted facial lines and contours.

Mid-Facelift

As its name suggests, the mid-facelift seeks to lift and contour the lines of the mid-face addressing sunken, hollow cheeks, loss of definition, and deep creases and wrinkles. Candidates for a mid-facelift should not be experiencing significant issues of skin laxity at the jawline, jowls, or neck. A mid-facelift can refine the contours of the cheeks, smooth deep nasolabial folds, and can improve the appearance of the lower eyelids.

Non-Surgical Facelift

If you’re not yet ready to undergo a surgical facelift, there are options that can create a more youthful, rested appearance without the need for surgery. Dr. Nassif customizes each non-surgical facelift he performs to meet your vision for facial vitality. Non-surgical facelifts often include a combination of laser skin resurfacing or rejuvenation, cosmetic injectables, and dermal fillers.

Female patient receiving a facial procedure

Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgery | Facelift

Dr. Paul Nassif

Different Types of Facelifts

Facelift FAQs

How long until my face looks new again?

What other procedures can be performed at the same time as a facelift?

I’m in my late-60s, am I too old for a facelift?

Do you have any photos of previous procedures that you have performed?

I was injured, and I’m too embarrassed to visit with a doctor in person. I’m afraid someone will find out about my problems. What can I do?

I’ve heard I have to pay out-of-pocket for plastic surgery, is this true?

I’ve had previous plastic surgeries or facelift procedures, but I’m not happy with the results. Can you help?

How long until my face looks new again?

This depends significantly on the number of facial procedures you have undertaken. For some, the procedure will yield fair results within a few weeks to one month. However, each person will heal differently, and the procedure may require up to six months of time to heal in the expected fashion. Be patient because the surgery will be the hardest part of your decision to improve your appearance and confidence.

What other procedures can be performed at the same time as a facelift?

Many Los Angeles facelift patients elect to undergo this procedure as part of a multi-procedure process. It is very common for a facelift to incorporate a fat transfer from another area of the body to achieve the desired shape and volume. Facial implants or soft tissue augmentation can be used for similar effects. Many patients also elect to undergo some type of skin resurfacing or rejuvenating procedure, many of which involve the use of light and other energy sources. Once the facelift has addressed the structural issues you wish to correct, skin resurfacing can help you attain the pigmentation and smooth appearance you desire. Wrinkle reduction can also be addressed through different injectable options.

I’m in my late-60s, am I too old for a facelift?

Not likely. Facial cosmetic procedures have been successful on individuals up to 80-years-old. Unless you have a dangerous medical condition, you may be a candidate for a facelift. Advances in technology have led to a dramatic decrease in the amount of risk associated with facial plastic surgeries.

Do you have any photos of previous procedures that you have performed?

Absolutely! We know that you want to see proof of the doctor’s previous work. Our patients, who have become part of our family, have given us permission to publish their photos and take pride in them. We always strive to provide the best facelift Beverly Hills can offer you. We have an entire gallery of before-and-after photos available for your review. Please visit our photo gallery to see facelift before and after photos.

I was injured, and I’m too embarrassed to visit with a doctor in person. I’m afraid someone will find out about my problems. What can I do?

We wish we could do an over the phone assessment, but the doctor needs to visit with you for a consultation to determine the best way to achieve your goal. The physician and his care team are here to take care of you. According to privacy laws, or HIPAA, no one in the medical field can release your information without your express written consent. Click here to schedule your consultation.

I’ve heard I have to pay out-of-pocket for plastic surgery, is this true?

This depends on the reasoning behind your Los Angeles facelift. Insurance companies routinely refuse to pay for services for most individuals opting to have plastic surgery for aesthetic purposes only. Please check with your insurance company before your consultation. This will help to prevent any unexpected expenses.

I’ve had previous plastic surgeries or facelift procedures, but I’m not happy with the results. Can you help?

Yes! Dr. Nassif is a world-renowned facelift surgeon in Los Angeles, who is particularly well-known for his expertise in correcting previous plastic surgeries that went wrong. At NassifMD Plastic Surgery®, we understand that you may be wary of walking into another plastic surgeon’s office after your previous negative experience, but we would encourage you not to let your anxiety get in the way of achieving your aesthetic goals. Depending on the extensiveness and nature of previous procedures, your options moving forward may be somewhat limited, but Dr. Nassif will put all his energy, expertise, and creative innovation into finding the best possible solution for you. Some cosmetic surgeons make false claims about what a procedure can do, resulting in disappointment when reality sets in. From your initial consultation forward, all conversations in our office will be straightforward and honest, to set you up with realistic expectations and avoid the devastation of results you weren’t expecting.

Get the most from life

Dr. Paul Nassif understands the importance of feeling confident in your appearance. He works with patients to enhance their natural beauty and allow them to get the most out of life. If you are interested in an appointment with Dr. Nassif, contact our office to schedule your consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
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