Facelift
Facelift / Necklift
Get The Profile You’ve Wanted With A Facelift, Mini Facelift, or Necklift
Our face is typically the first place to show signs of aging. Skin on the face and neck is thin, highly mobile, and routinely exposed to UV damage. Skin laxity, sagging, the appearance of jowls, neck banding, lines, wrinkles, and creases can begin as early as our 20s.
A rhytidectomy, also known as a facelift is a cosmetic procedure that removes sagging skin to reshape the structure of your face. A facelift can have a powerful impact in creating a more youthful and refreshed-looking version of yourself.
Facelift
Get The Profile You’ve Wanted With A Facelift, Mini Facelift, or Necklift
Our face is typically the first place to show signs of aging. Skin on the face and neck is thin, highly mobile, and routinely exposed to UV damage. Skin laxity, sagging, the appearance of jowls, neck banding, lines, wrinkles, and creases can begin as early as our 20s.
A rhytidectomy, also known as a facelift is a cosmetic procedure that removes sagging skin to reshape the structure of your face. A facelift can have a powerful impact in creating a more youthful and refreshed-looking version of yourself.
As a person continues to age their facial tissue becomes less elastic and they continue to lose facial volume. Wrinkles begin to develop on the forehead and around the eyes. A person’s eyebrows begin to sag. The skin and fat around the eyes themselves begins to droop. The lines around the mouth become more prominent, especially in people who are smokers or who have spent considerable amounts of time in the sun. The tissue around the jawline also sags to the point that “jowling” and a “turkey-neck” may develop.
Although a facelift is the most dramatic way to turn back the clock, there are a few different types of facelifts as well as individualized modifications for each. Which facelift is right for you?
Video: Linda’s Story, Facelift Patient
The Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is just what it sounds like. This facelift is ideal for younger patients (typically in their 30’s and 40’s) who are starting to notice signs of aging in the face, but are not ready for a full facelift. If you notice light sagging, laxity, and fine lines or wrinkles then a mini facelift might be for you.
A mini facelift usually enables you to look about 5+ years younger, and results last 3 – 6 years on average. It is not nearly as invasive as a full facelift, which means a shorter recovery period and even smaller incisions. However, it’s important to note that today’s incision techniques are so advanced that even a full facelift will require close inspection (usually by a professional who is actively looking for them) to pinpoint the incision marks in the ear crevices. A mini facelift is a great way not only to look younger and rejuvenated, but also to delay the need for a more aggressive facelift by several years.
A mini facelift is usually referring to one of areas of your face being lifted either the mid facial region, lower 1/3 of the face, or the neck. No matter where the “mini lift” is done it is all connected and provides tightening to the adjacent areas. These terms can be confusing and often have components that overlap, which is why a consultation with Dr. Parson is the best way to start this journey informed and confident.
The Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is just what it sounds like. This facelift is ideal for younger patients (typically in their 30’s and 40’s) who are starting to notice signs of aging in the face, but are not ready for a full facelift. If you notice light sagging, laxity, and fine lines or wrinkles then a mini facelift might be for you.
A mini facelift usually enables you to look about 5+ years younger, and results last 3 – 6 years on average. It is not nearly as invasive as a full facelift, which means a shorter recovery period and even smaller incisions. However, it’s important to note that today’s incision techniques are so advanced that even a full facelift will require close inspection (usually by a professional who is actively looking for them) to pinpoint the incision marks in the ear crevices. A mini facelift is a great way not only to look younger and rejuvenated, but also to delay the need for a more aggressive facelift by several years.
A mini facelift is usually referring to one of areas of your face being lifted either the mid facial region, lower 1/3 of the face, or the neck. No matter where the “mini lift” is done it is all connected and provides tightening to the adjacent areas. These terms can be confusing and often have components that overlap, which is why a consultation with Dr. Parson is the best way to start this journey informed and confident.
Lower Facelift
A lower facelift is a procedure that targets the jawline as well as the jowls and neck. Some patients only notice severe skin laxity in this area, so it makes sense to only treat the areas in need of some attention. A lower facelift focuses on the lower 1/3 of the face and includes the neck—in fact, most facelifts inherently include a neck lift as part of the procedure. Most ideal candidates for a lower facelift are in their 40s – 60s, but facelifts do not have age requirements.
Bear in mind that a lower facelift does not address the cheeks. Cheeks can also be a trouble area for some patients and can be targeted during a full facelift or a mid-facelift. In addition to tightening the cheeks, fat grafting to the face can optimize results. Fat grafting takes fat from somewhere else in the body, usually the stomach, and transfers it to the desired area. Dr. Parson can discuss options for complementary procedures, such as fat grafting, during your consultation.
Lower Facelift
A lower facelift is a procedure that targets the jawline as well as the jowls and neck. Some patients only notice severe skin laxity in this area, so it makes sense to only treat the areas in need of some attention. A lower facelift focuses on the lower 1/3 of the face and includes the neck—in fact, most facelifts inherently include a neck lift as part of the procedure. Most ideal candidates for a lower facelift are in their 40s – 60s, but facelifts do not have age requirements.
Bear in mind that a lower facelift does not address the cheeks. Cheeks can also be a trouble area for some patients and can be targeted during a full facelift or a mid-facelift. In addition to tightening the cheeks, fat grafting to the face can optimize results. Fat grafting takes fat from somewhere else in the body, usually the stomach, and transfers it to the desired area. Dr. Parson can discuss options for complementary procedures, such as fat grafting, during your consultation.
Full Facelift with Dr. Shaun Parson
The term “full facelift” does not accurately reflect what this procedure entails. It actually addresses skin laxity from the middle of the face (including the cheeks) down to the lower neck. This is the strongest of facelifts and on average ensures a person looks 10+ years younger.
Today’s techniques do not just tighten skin, but also focus on underlying tissue that can also make the face look older. The skin is then “re-draped” over the improved tissue for a completely organic yet incredible outcome.
It is important to remember that all types of facelifts turn back the clock, but do not stop it. A full facelift is so dramatic, and yet natural-looking, that many patients are happy with the results for life. Others desire a “touch up” many years later, since the passing years do change the way you look.
Our skin is an organ and it will continue to age, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have the power to control it to a large degree. Working with an expert in facelifts is the best way to ensure a safe surgery with results you will love.
Why does a so-called “full facelift” not include the top 1/3 of the face? That’s because those surgeries are completely separate but often complementary. Many patients combine a full facelift with a brow lift and/or eyelid lift.
Some patients may struggle with “just” neck concerns, whether it’s exclusively severe neck sagging, excess fat in this area, or both. A necklift can be a standalone procedure, although it is rare since most people who benefit from a necklift will also benefit from a facelift. There are also some patients who only require liposuction of the neck. Every patient is unique—and every surgery should be, too.
Video: Facelift or Fillers?
Video: Facelift Options for Men and Women
Video: Putting your best face forward after 50
Dr. Parson
Meet Dr. Shaun Parson
Facial aesthetic surgery serves to correct all or some of these changes. When you meet board certified Dr. Shaun Parson the two of you will look in a mirror and he will ask you “what are the things about your appearance that bother you and you and what things would like to change?” Dr. Parson feels that facial surgery should leave patients with a refreshed look without making them look “plastic”. “I don’t want patients to have anyone think they have had plastic surgery”, says Dr. Parson, “I just want family and friends to compliment them on their new appearance without realizing why they look so much better.”
Dr. Parson
Meet Dr. Shaun Parson
Facial aesthetic surgery serves to correct all or some of these changes. When you meet board certified Dr. Shaun Parson the two of you will look in a mirror and he will ask you “what are the things about your appearance that bother you and you and what things would like to change?” Dr. Parson feels that facial surgery should leave patients with a refreshed look without making them look “plastic”. “I don’t want patients to have anyone think they have had plastic surgery”, says Dr. Parson, “I just want family and friends to compliment them on their new appearance without realizing why they look so much better.”
FAQs About Facelifts
Would I be a good candidate for this procedure?
A facelift removes sagging skin and helps to reshape the structure of your face. With age, our skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag more while also forming more wrinkles. A necklift removes sagging skin around the lower face/neck area. This procedure removes excess skin around the neck while defining the jawline.
How long does it take to recover from this procedure?
Most patients report feeling better after 1 week. Sutures in front of the ears and under the chin can be removed around 5 days after surgery. Sutures behind the ears and staples on the scalp can be removed around 10-15 days after surgery.
How much pain should I expect?
While pain tolerance is different from patient to patient, most people are able to manage their pain with over-the-counter pain medication after the first few days.
Will I have permanent scars after a facelift? What will they look like?
Any surgery will cause a certain amount of permanent scarring. Some of the scars from a facelift are strategically hidden along the earline- both in front of and behind the ear. The other scars are on the scalp (above and behind the ears) and are hidden by the patient’s hair. A neck lift has the same scars as a facelift, but additionally has a small scar underneath the chin.
When can I go back to work after a facelift?
This depends on the patient and the type of work they are returning to. Most people who can work from home or have a desk/office job can go back to work in about a week. Patients report feeling tired more quickly when they first head back to work. If the work is more physical in nature, they usually will wait about 3 weeks to go back to work.
What should I expect for the first week after surgery and beyond?
Patients will spend their first night after surgery in our on-site recovery center. 48 hours after surgery, patients are seen back in Dr. Parson’s clinic for a post-op evaluation. 5 days after surgery, some sutures can be removed. By 10-15 days after surgery, all sutures and staples will be removed. At 3 weeks post-op, patients can even begin to work out again.
Will I be noticeably bruised or swollen after this procedure?
When a patient returns home after the procedure, they will feel swollen and sore. Ice packs can be used at home to help with swelling. Patients will have bruising. The degree of bruising varies from patient to patient, but this can last anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks after surgery.
How soon can I drive after surgery?
Patients need to be completely off any narcotics or muscle relaxers before they can begin to drive again. Usually after a week, patients are able to go back to driving themselves independently again.