While there are many noninvasive techniques to help rejuvenate the face, none are as comprehensive and provide as dramatic results as the facelift. Facelifts, today more than ever, yield natural looking results that work more than just skin deep. Dr. Daniel Brown, with locations in Carmel Valley and La Jolla, keeps up with the latest facelift techniques and technology in order to provide premium results to his patients looking for a striking reveal.

Learn more about the latest facelift techniques and then contact Dr. Brown at one of his San Diego locations today to schedule a consultation and find out what distinguishes him from the rest in his field.

A facelift is a cosmetic procedure that tightens the skin and repositions soft tissue and facial muscles to a more youthful position, producing a refreshed, rejuvenated appearance. Smoothing of the skin on the face and neck without over-tightening, correcting jowling and neck bands, restoration of the angular relationship of the jaw and neck, and possible addition of other rejuvenation procedures like injectable fillers can be combined to optimize your results and appearance.

The modern facelift procedure can be used to correct many of the issues that occur as a result of gravity, exposure to the elements, heredity, and aging. Some of the benefits of a facelift include:

• Correcting skin laxity in the lower face and neck
• Lifting and smoothing the appearance of the cheeks
• Improving the contour of the jawline
• Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the lower portion of the face

When Dr. Brown performs a facelift, he does not only correct issues of skin laxity, but goes further to address muscles that have started to droop and affect the overall foundation of the face. Dr. Brown performs an SMAS facelift, which addresses the connective tissue and muscles of the face.

Using sutures, he will lift and reposition the tissue and muscles in order to attain natural looking, long-lasting results. He will also redrape the skin over the muscles for a look that doesn’t appear too strained or overly taut.

As a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Brown knows that no two faces are alike and works with the patient to create a custom procedural plan that fits with their unique anatomy and delivers exceptionally natural looking results. He also utilizes discreet incisions around the hairline or along the ears, which means that the resulting scars are easily hidden and will continue to fade over time.

There are different variations of facelifts that vary depending on the individual patient’s areas of concern and aesthetic goals. Dr. Brown can employs a combination of the following techniques in order to achieve the patient’s desired results.

A lower facelift aims to correct signs of aging around the mouth and jowls. It can target deep folds and lines, such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines. It also helps lift the corners of the mouth for a less stern appearance. In some cases, liposuction may be used to remove fat deposits in the neck and jowls and help improve definition in the jawline. The incisions are made around the ears and hairline and then sutured to remove excess or drooping skin.

A mid facelift addresses signs of aging around the eyes, nose, cheeks, and corners of the mouth. Incisions are usually made around the hairline, although in some cases incisions may also be made by the lash lines, such as in blepharoplasty. In fact, blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is frequently combined with facelift procedures to offer the most comprehensive results. In this procedure, the muscles are raised and excess skin is removed to lift the midfacial region.

A brow lift, also sometimes called a forehead lift, addresses signs of aging in the forehead and lifts the eyebrows to a more attractive position. This can be performed using incisions along the upper hairline or, for patients with less severe signs of aging, using an endoscope. This procedure helps smooth wrinkles in the forehead and lift the eyebrows, making the patient look more alert and awake. Like a mid facelift, this procedure is also often combined with eyelid surgery to enhance the results.

Good candidates for a facelift are both men and women in good health and that have realistic expectations about what can be achieved from the procedure. They should have the ability to heal properly and have some elasticity remaining in their skin. However, they typically also have some excess or sagging skin that they want to remove. Most patients who undergo a facelift are between the ages of 40 and 65, but older and younger patients can be considered. In order to determine one’s candidacy for a facelift procedure, please request a consultation with Dr. Brown in the greater San Diego region.

While a facelift can correct many signs of aging in the face, it is not designed to correct all issues – including loss of volume in the face or uneven skin tone. A facelift can be combined with other facial procedures in order to provide the patient with enhanced results.

An eyelid lift is one of the procedures most commonly combined with a facelift. Also known as blepharoplasty, the procedure can be performed on the upper and lower eyelids in order to correct issues including drooping eyelids, excess skin that may interfere with vision, and bags underneath the eyes. These issues can make the patient look tired and older. Blepharoplasty can not only help correct patient’s vision, but also make the eyes look more vibrant and alert.

A neck lift is another procedure commonly performed with a facelift. If the face and neck are showing signs of aging, but the patients only addresses one or the other, then the face can look disharmonious. A neck lift will remove lax skin and correct wrinkles and banding for younger looking contour and aesthetic.

Since a facelift does not help with a loss or lack of volume in the face, a fat transfer can be performed to address this issue. A facial fat transfer first uses liposuction to harvest fat from the body where the patient has excess deposits, including the neck, arms, abdomen, flanks, back, or thighs, and then injects that fat into the face where it appears hollow or sunken. In a facial fat transfer, fat is commonly reintroduced into the cheeks, chin, or lips to restore volume and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

While a facelift will address the underlying issues of facial aging in the muscles and skin, it will not address surface issues like uneven skin tone or pigmentation. Laser resurfacing can be performed at the same time as a facelift to improve the appearance of the skin. It removes old, damaged layers of skin to reveal young, fresh layers. It can help correct the appearance of blotchiness, scarring, and wrinkles.

Dermal fillers are non surgical injectables effective at treating static facial lines, such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and vertical lip lines. Dermal fillers can also be used to provide patients with temporary volume in their cheeks, chin, and lips.

A facelift is typically performed under general anesthesia and on an outpatient basis. We ask that prior to surgery, patients make arrangements for an adult to drive them home from surgery and spend the first night with them at home for recovery support.

After the patient has been anesthetized, Dr. Brown will make the proper incisions around the hairline to perform the predetermined technique. Through these incisions, he will lift muscles, reposition tissue, and, in some cases, redistribute fat around the face according to the patient’s unique anatomy.

Once Dr. Brown has achieved the desired result, he will redrape the skin, trimming away extra if necessary. Finally, he will close the incisions with sutures. Patients will be taken into a recovery room, where they will be well taken care of by our helpful and caring staff.

Dr. Brown will advise all patients on an optimal skin care routine to best maintain their facelift and enjoy long lasting results.

In order to reduce swelling, patients are advised to sleep and sit with their head elevated and engage in easy exercise, such as walking around the house. They will be properly educated on how to change their bandages and care for the incisions.

All patients are required to come in for a follow-up appointment. In some cases, Dr. Brown will remove the patient’s sutures at this time. But, other patients will have dissolvable sutures that will disappear on their own. Nonetheless, Dr. Brown and his dedicated staff like to take the time to examine each patient individually and ensure that they are healing properly.

Patients can begin to see the final outcome of their surgery within three weeks to a month, but the face will continue to settle into its final appearance over the course of a few months. Youthful, rejuvenated results generally last 10 to 15 years.

The consultation is an integral part of the facelift procedure. During the consultation, patients will have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Brown regarding why they are interested in a facelift procedure and the benefits they hope to achieve. Dr. Brown will then determine whether the patient is best suited for an SMAS facelift, lower facelift, mid facelift, brow lift, or another procedure or combination of procedures.

During the consultation, please inform Dr. Brown of the patient’s medical history. This includes past surgeries, current medications, allergies, and medical conditions. Although these considerations will most likely not preclude a patient from undergoing a facelift, it is important for Dr. Brown to have a thorough understanding of the patient’s health so that he can offer the best treatment possible.

At the time of the consultation, Dr. Brown encourages any and all questions that the patient may have. This may include questions about preparation for surgery, what the operation entails, and what to expect during recovery. Dr. Brown is also more than happy to discuss other procedures that may be of interest to the patient.

Contact the offices of Dr. Brown in La Jolla or Carmel Valley today to get started!

How much does a facelift cost?

The price of a facelift depends on many factors including costs associated with anesthesia, operating room facility fees, surgical fees, etc. The cost of a facelift also varies depending on the extent of your surgery and whether you are having other procedures at the same time. We strive to provide competitive pricing for the quality of work Dr. Brown performs. Ask about our financing options at your consultation to help make your procedure as affordable as possible.

How do I choose the best facelift plastic surgeon near me?

Word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family are a great place to start your search for a facelift plastic surgeon in your area. You can then narrow your search online, verifying medical credentials, viewing before and after photos, and reading client reviews. Finally, schedule a consultation with your top one or two choices to make your final decision.

What is the best age for a facelift?

There is no single best age for a facelift, but most people who opt for this procedure are in their 40s, 50s or 60s. You could be a good candidate for a facelift if you are no longer seeing the same results from nonsurgical treatments like injectables as you once did. If you’ve never tried nonsurgical treatments, but have significant skin laxity, a facelift will likely provide the best results.

Is a facelift painful?

Your facelift procedure won’t hurt at all, as it will be performed under anesthesia. Afterward, most patients report only mild pain or discomfort following a facelift, with the first few days being the most uncomfortable. However, symptoms like bruising, swelling, and discomfort are usually easily managed with prescription or over-the-counter pain medication, cold compresses and rest.

How much time will I need to take off work after a facelift?

Most people plan to take 1 to 2 weeks off of work after a facelift, though this can depend on the type of work you do. Those with less physically active jobs may be able to return sooner than those with more physically strenuous work.

How long after a facelift will I look normal?

Most people feel comfortable going out in public and returning to their social lives around two weeks after getting a facelift. While some slight swelling and bruising may still be present, most people feel more like themselves around 7 to 14 days after their procedure.

When will I see my full facelift results?

It can take 3 to 6 months for your final facelift results to develop, though you should have a good idea of the final outcome around one month after your procedure.

How many years does a facelift erase?

Many patients say that they look an average of 10 years younger after getting a facelift.

How do I get natural-looking facelift results?

Most importantly, work with an experienced plastic surgeon with a proven track record of achieving high-quality, natural-looking facelift results. Ask about the surgical techniques your plastic surgeon uses to achieve the natural results you’re looking for. You can also view previous facelift results in the before and after photos on the practice’s website.

How long does a facelift last?

Generally speaking, facelift results can last an average of 10 years before a revision procedure may be necessary to maintain those same results, depending on several factors, such as how old you were when you had your initial facelift, lifestyle habits, and the quality of your skin.