What is a facelift?

As we age, the youthful contours of our face can be lost, resulting in loss of facial fat and soft tissue volume, as well as thinning, sagging skin causing lines and wrinkles. Facelift surgery aims to improve the visible signs of aging in the face and neck areas. A facelift procedure can improve the following signs of aging:

  • Fat that has fallen or disappeared
  • The relaxation of the skin, resulting in sagging
  • Deepening of the nasolabial folds between the nose and the corner of the mouth
  • Jowls that have developed in the cheeks and jaw
  • Loose skin and excess fat on the neck that can appear as a “turkey neck”

Each face ages differently, and aging patterns are influenced by genetic makeup and environmental factors. Smoking, sun exposure and weight changes can accelerate the natural aging process. It is important to know that the face continues to age following a facelift. By avoiding smoking and implementing a good skin care regimen before and after your facelift surgery will greatly improve the longevity of your result.  

Beautifully You

Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Men and women who are unhappy with the appearance of aging skin on the face and neck including sagging skin, loss of fat, or lines or wrinkles can benefit from a facelift. Ideal candidates should be in good physical health, non-smoking and have realistic expectations. The best way to determine if a facelift procedure is right for you is through a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons.

Before + After

Patient Results

Your face is the first thing that people see and it’s important to make a good impression, not just for others but also for your self-confidence! Whether you’re looking for an anti-aging rejuvenation or wish to alter your facial features for a proportionate, enhanced look, we can make it happen. View our gallery to see the beautiful results you can expect from a facial plastic surgery procedure at our office.

BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY

Patient Reviews

The staff was amazing from the minute I walked into the office! The office is beautiful! They greeted me right away both times, made me feel very welcomed, and comfortable. I had two consultations, 1…
- SA
From start to finish not only was this the best customer service experience I’ve ever had but they also listened to my concerns, put me at ease, and truly only do what’s best for your…
- JH
Dr. Kurtovic did an AMAZING job and I am beyond thrilled with my results. I couldn’t have picked a better surgeon. I was comfortable and supported from day one through my most recent visit, 4…
- AP

Facelift Procedure

The condition of your skin, degree of volume loss, and your cosmetic concerns are key components that we use to create your customizing facelift procedure. Our goal as your facelift surgeon is to create a natural, balanced result, that does not look “overdone”. We use advanced facelift techniques to restore the position and volume of the saggy deeper soft tissues in the face and neck in combination with the right amount of skin removal. This results in a more youthful facial contour, and avoids the pulled or stretched facelift look.

The various facelift techniques we use at Tucson Plastic Surgery include:

Traditional Facelift

The incision used during a traditional facelift begins in the hairline near the temples, and continues around the ear, ending in the lower scalp. Through this incision, your plastic surgeon will sculpt or redistribute fat, and underlying tissue is repositioned. Skin is re-draped over the new contours, and any excess skin is trimmed away.

Limited Incision/Mini Facelift

A limited incision facelift, also sometimes called a mini facelift, uses shorter incisions at the temples that continue around the ear. This technique is best used for patients who have better skin elasticity and less skin sag, as results are less dramatic than a traditional facelift.

Mid-face Lift

In a mid-facelift procedure, small incisions will be created in the hairline near the temples, and sometimes also in the lower eyelid. The primary goal of a mid-facelift is to lift the cheek pad into a more youthful position and soften the nasolabial folds.

Neck Lift

Neck Lift eliminates sagging jowls, fat under the chin, and loose neck skin. The incisions begin in front of the ear lobe and wrap around behind the ear, ending in the hairline behind the ear. Oftentimes a small incision is made under the chin to perform Neck Liposuction and repair of the platysma muscle.

Recovery Process

Facelift Recovery Tucson

4-6 Weeks

A facelift is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing you to return home to recover. Your face will be wrapped in bandages to minimize swelling and a small drain is placed to help drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect underneath the skin. To minimize swelling, it is best to keep your head elevated above your heart. Do not apply ice directly to the face and neck, as this may compromise blood flow. Normal daily activities can usually be resumed after about two weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure.

Because every patient heals a little bit differently, your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific instructions regarding your aftercare and returning to activities. Bruising and swelling are normal and begin to subside after two weeks. Be sure to protect your face and neck from the sun during recovery, as this may negatively impact your results.

For patients who are looking for a less invasive or less expensive alternative, a thread lift may be an option.  The main downside of a thread lift is that threads can only give about 25-30% of the improvement of a facelift.  Also the results typically only last one to two years as opposed to the 12-15 years you will get from your facelift. Still, for people with only mild to moderate signs of facial aging or for people that cannot afford the 2-3 weeks of recovery time for a facelift, threads may be an option.  While we at Tucson Plastic Surgery do not offer threads, there are several capable, competent providers in Tucson and Southern Arizona that do. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a facelift make you look younger?

Yes a facelift will make you look substantially younger, on average about 10 years younger. Please know that we pride ourselves on natural, long-lasting results. We could do a facelift that might make you look 15 years younger, but that risks looking overdone and so there is an artist balance that is crucial. Interestingly, twin studies have shown that the twin that had a facelift looked younger throughout the rest of her life compared to her twin.

How can I tighten loose skin on my face?

For mild loose skin, there are skin care products and non-surgical treatments like Scarlet, Clear and Brilliant and lasers that we offer through our MD Skin Centers. However, for more significant skin laxity associated with normal aging or substantial weight loss, a facelift is often your best option.

How do I get rid of my double chins?

The two main reasons for double chin are extra fat and extra skin. If there is a subtle double chin, non-surgical treatments that we offer like CoolScuplting and Kybella may be an option. In younger patients, liposuction may be an excellent treatment as the skin has enough elasticity to tighten up. As you get less young however, a neck lift is often the best choice to both remove excess fat and tighten the skin.

How do I prepare for a facelift?

To prepare for a Facelift here are the dos and don’ts. Do use medical-grade skin care for healthy skin. Do not use any tobacco or nicotine products or take aspirin, drugs, supplements that increase the risk of bleeding.

How do I reduce swelling in my face?

Sleeping in a recliner or angled bed at 45-60 degrees is the best way to minimize swelling after facial procedures. Then ice compresses, used carefully, in the first 2 days may also feel comfortable and play a role in reducing the amount of swelling. And finally, arnica taken before and after surgery (and used topically), can minimize bruising which also lessens swelling.

How do I tighten my jawline?

It is important to individualize any facial treatment and the jawline is no exception. For some, botoxing the masseter (the chewing muscle) will reduce bulk and smooth the jawline. For others, adding fat or fillers may be enough to strengthen the jawline and improve the appearance. And then for those with a little more looseness, a facelift may be the ideal treatment.

How do you reduce swelling after a facelift?

There are several ways to help reduce swelling after a facelift. Before surgery, taking both arnicas (to minimize bruising) and bromelian (to minimize inflammation) will help with swelling after surgery. We provide these to you at no charge at the time of your preop visit. After surgery, continuing the arnica and bromelian remain important. Plus, sleeping with your head elevated (sleeping at an incline like in a recliner) and minimizing your activity will also help to reduce the swelling.

How do you take care of your face after a facelift?

For the most part, taking care of your face is very straight forward. For the first few days, you will be in a bandage or garment and there is nothing to do. When those come off, you can wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Then, after the stitches are removed, you can quickly return to your normal skin care routine. Consider adding an antioxidant like daily power defense to get your skin back to its best quicker and it also helps to minimize the visibility of scars.

How long after a facelift can I exercise?

On the day of procedure, you will be up and walking. Within a few days, you will be pleasantly surprised how little downtime there really is. That said, you should not engage in any vigorous physical activity for at least 4 weeks after surgery: try to minimize lifting anything over 5 pounds and bending over at the waist as this increases pressure in the face and neck. Walking is okay in the first week. You could chip and putt (if you are a golfer) by the third week. And by week four you are almost back to normal.

How long do ears hurt after facelift?

It is uncommon for the ears to hurt after a facelift. Parts of the face, neck, ears and scalp may feel numb. This is to be expected after surgery and is usually temporary. It normally resolves in weeks and on rare occasions it may take months to subside.

How long does facelift last?

You will look better for the rest of your life: actual twin studies have shown this to be the case. However, gravity and normal aging dont stop after a facelift. On average, patients develop enough laxity that they start to think about further surgery in 7-10 years. Investing in maintenance treatments (medical grade skin care, regular facials, Botox and the occasional non-surgical tightening) can greatly extend your result.

How long does fat transfer face last?

Fat transfer is permanent. When it is first injected into the face, there is some swelling with the procedure, so what you see in the first days after surgery is not all fat. And not all of the fat transferred will survive. On average, about 70% lives. We don’t over correct as occasionally all of the fat survives and then you would be \u201coverdone. You can expect to see the final result by 2-3 months and then the fat remains forever thereafter.

How long does it take for bruising on the face to go away?

We encourage our patients to take arnica before and after surgery. That, combined with meticulous surgical technique and topical arnica gel afterwards leads to very little bruising. You can expect it to be almost completely gone by the end of your two weeks or social down-time.

How long is recovery from a facelift?

Recovery from a facelift is surprisingly quick. The same day you will be up and walking with only slight discomfort. You can normally be back to work in two weeks and you can be back to activities without people noticing much by 3-4 weeks. We ask you have to refrain from vigorous physical activity for about 4 weeks after surgery.

How many times can you get a facelift?

On average, patients develop enough laxity that they start to think about further surgery in 7-10 years if they have not engaged in non-surgical maintenance after surgery. Non-surgical options can extend that by years. So, depending on when you had your first facelift, you may have 2 or even three facelifts in a lifetime. There really is no limit.

How much does a mid face lift cost?

A midface life, when done by itself, will cost roughly $8,000. When a midface lift is performed at the time of facelift (as is often the case), the price is significantly reduced as there is a multi-procedure deduction.

How much does laser face lift cost?

Laser facelift is a technique where only the laser is used to improve the skin texture and appearance. There is no one laser that does everything and the cost varies with the laser used and the number of sessions. Depending on your unique needs, our surgeons may recommend either an ablative laser (requires you to be asleep and removes the outer layers of the skin and costs between $7,000-10,000)) or a non-ablative laser (does not remove any skin and you are awake for the treatment). Please call us to schedule a private consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We look forward to meeting you soon.

How much is a face lift and neck lift?

Rejuvenation of the face and neck can address: texture - improving fine lines or pigmentation issues of the skin, volume, restoring volume (most commonly with your own fat) and laxity tightening the loose skin. Prices vary depending on what and how much we are addressing and range between $16,000 and $20,000. Our prices are all inclusive: the consult, all pre-operative visits, the surgery, anesthesia and surgery center, as well as all post-operative visits and garments. Please call us or click here to contact us regarding a private consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We pride ourselves on a patient-centric approach to serving you and look forward to meeting you soon.

How much is a facelift?

Rejuvenation of the mid face addresses the lower eyelid and cheek area. A private consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons will determine if this is the right surgery for you. Prices vary depending on what and how much we are addressing and range between $8,000 for the mid face to $20,000 for the full face. Our prices are all inclusive: the consult, all pre-operative visits, the surgery, anesthesia and surgery center, as well as all post-operative visits and garments. Please call us or click here to contact us regarding a private consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We pride ourselves on a patient-centric approach to serving you and look forward to meeting you soon.

How painful is a facelift?

The answer may surprise you: a facelift is not very painful at all! With our enhanced recovery protocols and surgical techniques, you will be pleasantly surprised how little discomfort there is after a facelift. Most people need nothing stronger than Tylenol or ibuprofen. You will be up and walking the same day. Light walking and activities can be resumed fairly quickly and you are likely to have no discomfort after just a few days.

Is a facelift permanent?

You will look more youthful for the rest of your life: actual twin studies have shown this to be the case. However, gravity and normal aging dont stop after a facelift. On average, patients develop enough laxity that they start to think about further surgery in 7-10 years. Investing in maintenance treatments (medical grade skin care, the Mira facial system, regular facials, Botox and the occasional non-surgical tightening) can greatly extend your result.

What can I expect from a facelift?

Most importantly, you can expect to look natural! Rejuvenation of the face and neck can address several issues: texture - improving fine lines or pigmentation issues of the skin; volume restoring volume (most commonly with your own fat); and laxity tightening the loose skin. Our surgeons work with you to create a truly customized facial rejuvenation plan. Depending on your individual needs, your facelift will address each of these issues to varying degrees.

What is a facelift called?

The medical term for a facelift is rhytidectomy. A rhytid is the medical term for a wrinkle and ectomy means to remove. So rhytidectomy is literally removing wrinkles.

What is a mid face lift?

A mid-facelift, also known as a cheek lift, is a powerful procedure that focuses on the lower eyelid and cheeks. It can be done endoscopically (using very small incisions and a small camera) or open (often done at the same time as a facelift and through the same incisions). A mid-facelift repositions the descended cheek back to its original position and smooths the transition from the cheek to the lower eyelid.

What is a neck lift called?

One of the medical terms for a necklift is rhytidectomy. A rhytid is the medical term for a wrinkle and ectomy means to remove. So rhytidectomy is literally removing wrinkles. Another term for a neck lift is platysmaplasty. The platysma is the most superficial muscle of the neck and contributes to vertical bands. Plasty means to repair. So a platysmaplasty repairs and tightens the muscle resulting in a more defined neckline.

What is a non surgical facelift?

A non-surgical facelift is a combination of minimally invasive procedures that require no incisions and no general anesthesia. You are in and out of the office quickly, with little downtime and minimal post treatment discomfort. The components are individualized to your needs and are designed to rejuvenate and refresh your appearance without going under the knife. Book a consultation today to take years off of you appearance without anyone ever knowing you had something done.

What is a thread lift?

A thread lift is a minimally invasive alternative to a facelift and works best for people that have just started noticing signs of aging (usually late 30s to mid 40s). It uses a dissolvable, barbed suture to sculpt and shape the area you want lifted. The invisible, painless barbs of the suture allow us to pull your skin tighter. As the suture dissolves, your body replaces it with collagen that can fill gaps in sagging skin and restore a more youthful appearance.

What is best age for facelift?

Quite simply, there is not best age for a facelift. People of the same age may look much older or younger than one another and the decision to have a facelift is a very personal one. A facelift in your mid-forties or early fifties typically achieves ideal results without anyone ever noticing. As you get older, exceptional results can still be achieved but the results are usually more evident. Ideally, we recommend a first facelift in the mid-40’s to early 50’s with a refresher in your mid to late 60’s. However, even people in their late 70’s and early 80’s are candidates for facelifts as long as they are generally healthy.

What is the average cost of a full facelift?

The average cost of a full facelift (which includes a necklift) is $15,000. If other procedures are performed at the same time, there is a multi-procedure deduction. For example, a mid face lift is often performed at the same time and there is a $1,000 deduction for combining those surgeries. Another common example is an upper lid blepharoplasty or lift which again has a $1,000 deduction for being done at the same time.

What is the difference between a deep plane and SMAS facelift?

The deep plane facelift is an older technique where the skin and fascia of the face were raised together as a single layer. There was a greater risk of injury to the facial nerve (the nerve of facial expression: blink, smile, raise your eyebrows) and no proven cosmetic benefit. The SMAS facelift is the latest technique and raises the layers separately. This allows us to address the layers independently creating customization in restoring individual and natural facial shape.

When should you get a facelift?

The answer is it depends. A facelift in your mid-forties or early fifties typically achieves ideal results without anyone ever noticing. As you get older, exceptional results can still be achieved but the results are usually more evident. Ideally, we recommend a first facelift in the mid-40’s to early 50’s with a refresher in your mid to late 60’s. However, even people in their late 70’s and early 80’s are candidates for facelifts as long as they are generally healthy.

Silvia Kurtovic, MD & Raman Mahabir, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

At Tucson Plastic Surgery, we have a patient-centric approach that sets us apart from the rest. We take the time to really get to know you and your aesthetic goals during one-on-one conversations which help us to fully understand your motivations.

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