Facelift surgery is a facial rejuvenation procedure that can create transformative results. It’s the most effective way to address significant sagging and smooth deep wrinkles and folds, with results that last a decade or more.
With the widespread popularity of non-surgical procedures like dermal fillers, Botox, and other injectables, determining what is best for you can be an increasingly complicated decision.
As you age, skin and underlying tissues in your face lose elasticity and begin to droop and sag. Each individualized procedure could include for example variations such as mid-facelift, deep neck lift, temporal forehead lift, lip lift, buccal fat removal, and more.
Explore your options at the Larrabee Center in Seattle, Washington, and take the first steps toward looking and feeling your best!
Dr. Wayne F. Larrabee is double-board-certified and highly skilled with years of experience and dedication to providing the highest quality care. Whether considering a full facelift or a more targeted approach, Dr. Larrabee can guide you through the process, ensuring your results are as unique and beautiful as you are.
How Do You Know When It’s Time for a Facelift?
As more people become aware of the advantages of non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers, Botox, and other injectables, choosing what is suitable for you has become more complex. As you age, the skin and tissues underneath the face start to lose their elasticity and begin to droop and sag. If you feel your current skincare and treatment solutions are no longer effective, it may be time to consider a facelift.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift, also known as Rhytidectomy, can revive your youthful vibrancy and restore the contours of the face. It lifts and tightens drooping skin on the face, neck, and lower two-thirds of the face, under the chin along the jawline, and laxity on the neck. It is a complex procedure, and a knowledgeable plastic surgeon is crucial for achieving a natural result.
How does a Facelift work?
A deep plane facelift is performed in the gliding plane beneath the SMAS, submuscular aponeurotic system which is a layer of tissue that connects the face and neck muscles to the skin. Ligaments are released and the SMAS repositioned to tighten the jowls and the neck. Excess skin and fat are also removed.
Patients seeking a less invasive procedure may choose to have a mini facelift. This involves making shorter incisions near the temples and at the sides of the ears. It targets loose skin around the neck and jawline. It’s an ideal option for those who don’t want a “lifted” appearance and still reap the benefits of a traditional facelift, such as repositioning the muscle tissue and tightening the skin.
Benefits of a Facelift
At the Larrabee Center for Plastic Surgery in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood, we have a long and proud history of specializing in facial plastic surgery procedures. During your private consultation, Dr. Larrabee will discuss your goals and aspirations for facial enhancements. His technique combines unrivaled safety with long-lasting, natural-appearing results.
Dr. Larrabee’s and Dr. Susan Kurian personalized techniques are described in his many articles and textbook, The Art and Craft of Facial Rejuvenation, emphasizing the importance of the underlying vectors of the facelift to create natural and long–lasting rejuvenation.
This profound understanding of the anatomy is crucial to performing a safe deep plane facelift. Dr. Larrabee has been at the forefront of facelift innovation for many decades. His 1995 book Surgical Anatomy of the Face illustrated the anatomy of the deep plane with iconic illustrations that are still widely referenced today
As Richard Feynman, the famous physicist said- “If you want to master something, teach it.” Dr. Larrabee has lectured on his facelift techniques in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Australia, and throughout Europe and the UK. He also gave a lecture in Regensburg, Germany, over a decade ago, titled “My Experience with over 5000 Facelifts”, and has, of course, done many since.
Expertise Matters! The facelift most effectively treats:
- Sagging skin on the cheeks
- Loose skin along the jawline (jowls)
- Deep folds around the nose
- Creases around the mouth
- Laxity of the neck
- Fatty tissue and excess skin beneath the chin
Once your face has fully healed, look out, world – you’ll be stepping out with a rejuvenated face that looks years younger!
Once your face has fully healed, you’ll have a rejuvenated face that looks years younger! The benefits of a facelift extend beyond physical appearance. Patients often experience an increase in self-confidence and a renewed sense of youthfulness. With Dr. Larrabee’s expert approach, you can expect results exceeding your expectations, allowing you to put your best face forward.
Why Choose Facelift?
A facelift is a popular cosmetic procedure that can provide a more youthful appearance by tightening and rejuvenating the skin on your face. It can help boost self-confidence and improve overall facial symmetry. With technological advancements modern facelifts are minimally invasive and have shorter recovery times. It will result in an enhanced appearance that is long-lasting.
When Will the Results Show?
Most people will appear presentable to the public within 10-14 days after a facelift. However, it typically takes about 2-3 months to fully return to its normal texture, sensitivity, and elasticity.
What areas can Facelift Treat?
A facelift targets various signs of aging, such as sagging jowls, cheeks, and wrinkles. It helps restore a youthful jawline and improves neck contour by removing excess skin and fat. A facelift treats fine lines, volume loss around the lips, and the surrounding peri-oral tissue.
Types of Facelifts
Nonsurgical Facelift
We offer minimally invasive and advanced cosmetic treatments that can enhance the skin and provide dramatic results. Nonsurgical facelifts do not necessitate general anesthesia or significant incisions. However, they are still effective in tackling the symptoms of aging, such as sagging skin, creases, and wrinkles. Examples of minimally invasive methods for treating aging skin include MyElevate, Sofwave, and Sylfirm X.
Mid-Facelift
The mid-face area starts to lose its youthful look as you grow older; your cheeks begin to drop, and you look fatigued. If you wish to revive your face without a full facelift, a mid-face lift might be the right choice. A mid-facelift can lift the cheeks, bring back the natural roundness of the cheeks, return youthful fullness to the midface, and reduce the depth of the nasolabial folds from the sides of your nose.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a procedure that reduces sagging around the lower region of the face. It is a good choice if you have minor issues and are not ready for a comprehensive facelift. It is a magnificent way to address the laxity of the jowl and neck area in younger patients.
Before, During, and After
What to expect before a facelift procedure
Prior to having a facelift, you will do a preop consultation with a surgical nurse. Depending on your age and health you may need a medical evaluation. You should quit smoking, and stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they could cause bleeding and bruising. Specific instruction will be provided.
A comprehensive medical history and physical examination will be conducted during the consultation. A treatment plan will be developed, tailored to your goals, timing, budget, and acceptable downtime. This includes a pre-operative skincare preparation plan and post-operative maintenance recommendations to optimize results and ensure longevity.
What to expect during a facelift procedure
Before surgery, a general anesthetic is typically utilized. Incisions will begin from the hairline of the temples, curve around the ears, and finish at the hairline behind the ears. The incisions are strategically placed in areas that are simple to conceal and follow the natural curves of your body, making them minimally visible.
Fat may be contoured or redistributed from the face, jowls, and neck, while the deeper tissues and muscles are lifted. The skin is then pulled over the uplifted contours and excess skin is removed. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures. For additional improvement of the neck, a second insition may be necessary under the chin.
During facelift surgery in Seattle, you can expect a meticulous process to rejuvenate your appearance. The procedure targets surface-level imperfections and addresses deeper structural issues, leading to more comprehensive and lasting results.
What to expect after a facelift procedure
Many patients assume that they’ll have to be on bed rest for an extended period following their facelift, but, in truth, you should be able to be up and around pretty quickly following your procedure—as long you remember to take it easy.
A general anesthetic is utilized. Initially, it’s of paramount importance that you be exceedingly gentle with your face and hair during the early stages of recovery. You won’t be able to see the ultimate results right away, so you’ll need to be patient as the swelling and bruising subside over the first few weeks after the procedure.
During this time, follow Dr. Larrabee’s care instructions diligently, which may include applying cold compresses, keeping your head elevated, and avoiding strenuous activities. It‘s also normal to experience numbness and tightness in the face, which should gradually improve.
Regular follow-up appointments are crucial for monitoring your progress and addressing any concerns. With proper care and patience, you’ll soon begin to enjoy the refreshed and youthful appearance your facelift was designed to achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate for a facelift?
Individuals who are in good health and would like to reduce signs of aging on their face, including the sagging of skin, and laxity of the neck and jowls, are suitable for a facelift.
How long is the recovery after the facelift? When can I wash my hair?
After surgery, your doctor is likely to recommend medication for pain relief. It is normal to experience some mild pain, swelling, and bruising. Once the swelling subsides, you’ll be able to see the difference in your appearance.
Give your body time to heal before washing your hair – wait a minimum of 48 hours. During the first week, only use baby shampoo and apply conditioner to the ends of your hair to stay away from the incision site. Allow yourself around two weeks before resuming your regular daily activities, and wait around four weeks for more strenuous exercises.
What procedures could work well with Facelift?
Although exceptional results have been obtained in reducing signs of aging, there are certain rejuvenation issues that a facelift cannot resolve, such as drooping eyelids. Therefore, eyelid surgery or a brow lift could be used in conjunction to obtain optimal desired results. Lasers can also be added to treat deep wrinkles.
How long do results last?
A facelift offers long-lasting improvements that last up to 10 years or more.
How much does a facelift cost?
The price of a facelift procedure varies depending on several factors such as desired results and the extent of treatment. Nevertheless, at the Larrabee Center in Seattle, we will help you choose the best option to reach your aesthetic goals based on our many years of experience.
What are the potential risks and side effects of facelifts?
It is possible to experience swelling, bruising, tenderness, and minimal discomfort. Extremely rare adverse reactions may include anesthesia risks, bleeding, delayed healing, unfavorable scarring, or injury to the facial nerves.
Is the facelift procedure painful?
The facelift procedure is usually comfortable, with minimal pain, due to the use of sedation and local anesthesia, which just numbs a certain area of the body, or general anesthesia, which induces a sleep-like state.
What kind of anesthesia or numbing agent is used?
To make the surgical procedure more comfortable. Your surgeon will recommend which is best for you. Most facelifts are done under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia can be used in individualized situations.
Can a facelift Improve my eyelids too?
Facelift does not resolve all signs of aging such as drooping eyelids; however, eyelid surgery and browlift can be performed in conjunction with a facelift to achieve desired results.
Is Facelift suitable for everyone?
If you notice sagging cheeks, excess skin around your lower jawline, deep folds running from your nose to your mouth corners, or loose skin and fat in your neck, you might be an ideal candidate for a facelift. Typically chosen by individuals in their mid-50s and older, this surgery is designed to help reduce the appearance of sagging skin in the face and neck area.
Can a facelift be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery?
You might consider combining your facelift with other cosmetic procedures for optimal results. A brow lift or eyelid surgery can be paired with a facelift to rejuvenate the forehead skin, lift the eyebrows, and address drooping upper lids—enhancements that a facelift alone cannot achieve. Lip lifts and fat injections to restore facial volume are also used.
Are Facelift results permanent?
While facelift results are not permanent, they do provide long-lasting improvements. Typically, you can enjoy the enhanced appearance from your facelift for at least ten years.
What is the recovery time for Facelift procedures?
After a facelift, you might notice some swelling and discomfort at first. The healing process typically takes a few weeks to complete. Most people can return to work and daily activities within two weeks.
Are there any side effects or risks associated with Facelift?
Dr. Larrabee is highly experienced in facelift surgery and committed to achieving youthful and symmetrical results while ensuring a safe surgical experience. However, there are potential risks and complications accompanying any procedure.
While some swelling and discomfort are common post-surgery, rare risks include anesthesia complications, bleeding, infection, poor scarring, haor loss,deep vein thrombosis, facial nerve injury leading to muscle weakness, and poor wound healing. Dr. Larrabee takes meticulous care during recovery to minimize these risks and ensure a safe and smooth path to enhanced beauty.