Facelifts

• Facelifts reduce signs of aging in the face and neck to dramatically rejuvenate your appearance.
• Ideal candidates are healthy men and women with loose facial or neck skin, wrinkles and frown lines, and an undefined jawline or jowls.
• Results are long lasting, although these effects will diminish with age.

A facelift surgically repositions the skin and underlying support tissue of the lower face and neck to achieve a more youthful appearance. It’s one of the most powerful anti-aging procedures you can undergo, effectively turning back the clock by creating a lifted, sculpted profile. Laser resurfacing is often required to rejuvenate the skin for a more complete result.

At Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Thomas McFadden and Dr. Peter Felice have been performing facelifts with beautiful, natural-looking results in the Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson area for two decades. Interested in learning how we can help you achieve your anti-aging goals? Schedule an in-person or virtual consultation! 

Facelift Surgery at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is one of the most effective ways to restore a youthful look to your face. It addresses concerns related to many common signs of aging in the lower two-thirds of the face and the neck. This procedure dramatically rejuvenates your overall appearance in a single procedure.

How it works

To perform a facelift, the surgeon makes two incisions starting approximately at the temples and running down around the earlobes to the back of the neck. These are hidden in the hairline and the natural contours of the face to minimize visible scarring. A third incision is usually made under the chin to address looseness in the neck.

The surgeon will reposition the underlying layers of muscle and tissue on the lower face and neck; they may redistribute fat around the face for a more balanced appearance. Lastly, they will redrape the skin to be taut, then close the incisions with sutures.

Although your face will continue to age, facelift results are long lasting, and you’ll enjoy a younger-looking appearance for years to come.

What can a facelift correct?

Every facelift is customized for the patient’s particular needs. Your surgeon will perform a full examination and discuss with you in detail how he can improve and rejuvenate your appearance by addressing your unique concerns.

Results of a facelift are quite dramatic! This procedure is effective in addressing the following issues:

• Central facial fat loss (through fat repositioning)
• Loose, sagging skin on the cheeks and neck
• Lack of jawline definition
• Lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth
• Marionette lines (from the corners of the mouth to the jaw)
• Wrinkles

Before and After Photos

Please note the patients featured in these images may have undergone other treatments in conjunction with a facelift. This photo gallery does not guarantee that everyone who undergoes a facelift will obtain these or similar results.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

The best candidate for a facelift is someone experiencing sagging skin, moderate to severe lines in the lower part of the face, drooping jowls and an undefined jawline. Additionally, you must be in good general health and ideally, a nonsmoker.

If you have any underlying conditions that may prevent healing or increases the risks associated with major surgery, a facelift might not be right for you.

The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for a facelift is to schedule a consultation with a doctor at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery. We’ll discuss your medical history and concerns to determine if the procedure is a good option for you!

What to Expect Before, During and After Your Facelift 

To prepare for your facelift, you may undergo a medical evaluation and some lab tests. Several weeks before the surgery, you must stop smoking as it can interfere with healing. 

You should also stop taking anti-inflammatory medications, including including aspirin, ibuprofen, and other similar NSAID drugs, as well as herbal supplements, as they increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. Arrange for someone to drive you home from the clinic and to spend the first night post surgery with you.

During the surgery, you’ll be under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. A facelift usually takes between 2–4 hours but can require more time if other procedures are performed concurrently. When you wake up, your face will be bandaged at the incision sites.

Recovering From Your Facelift

You’ll need to rest for the first few days following surgery, but you should feel well enough to get up and move around by the third day. You’ll experience swelling, bruising and likely some pain; your doctor will prescribe medication to manage the latter.

Usually, you’ll require about 2 weeks before swelling and bruising subsides enough for you to feel comfortable going out in public. After 3–4 weeks, you’ll be able to resume activities such as exercise. You may continue to feel tightness, tingling, numbness and irregularities in skin texture 2–3 months after the procedure.

Be sure to follow all your surgeon’s instructions regarding caring for your incisions and taking medication. You’ll have multiple follow-up appointments to ensure the healing process goes well and to remove your sutures. Do not recommence your usual activities, including exercising and wearing makeup, until you are cleared to do so by your surgeon.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

If you’re primarily looking to address sagging and loose skin around your neck and jawline, but not the cheek area, a mini facelift may be more appropriate for you. A mini facelift exclusively addresses the lowest part of the face while leaving virtually no visible scarring.

If, however, you wish to address signs of aging on your entire face, including above the cheekbones, you may wish to undergo another procedure at the same time as your facelift, such as a brow lift, forehead lift, eyelid surgery or rhinoplasty.

Non-surgical alternatives to a facelift

If this procedure is not for you, you might choose to use fillers and other injectables to regain a more youthful appearance. These treatments can also be used in conjunction with a facelift (after you’ve healed) to further contour your results.

• Botox: This injectable temporarily paralyzes muscles in your forehead and around your eyes, reducing the appearance of fine lines caused by repeated movements.
• Fillers: Hyaluronic acid fillers temporarily add volume to the face, adding fullness to hollowed-out areas and contouring areas such as the cheekbones or jawline for better definition.
• Laser skin resurfacing: This minimally invasive procedure addresses fine, moderate, and deep wrinkles upon the face and neck, rejuvenating the skin. The intensity of the treatment will be proportionate to the severity of the wrinkles.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

A facelift’s cost depends on many factors. These include the severity of skin laxity, whether fat is being repositioned and if other procedures are being performed concurrently. If you’re interested in learning more about our pricing, please reach out to us.

Facelift FAQ 

Is facelift surgery safe?

A facelift is considered safe, but all surgical procedures have some associated risks. One of the primary complications to look out for is a hematoma, in which one side of the face or neck becomes swollen and painful due to internal bleeding. 

If you experience a hematoma, you’ll need to undergo a procedure to stop the bleeding. The other concern is infection, which requires antibiotics to treat. If either complication occurs, contact your surgeon immediately.

How soon can I go back to work?

It depends on what type of work you do. If you work primarily on a computer and can telecommute, you might be able to begin working just a few days after surgery. If your job requires heavy lifting or physical exertion, you’ll need to wait about 1 month. Most of our patients feel comfortable returning to work after about 2 weeks.

What’s the best age to get a facelift?

Although some people undergo facelift surgery as young as their mid-40s, most of our facelift patients are in their mid-50s. There’s no upper age limit for this surgery as long as you are in good health.