Facelift FAQ

Facelift Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ, information

We have attempted to answer some of the most common facial rejuvenation questions. These answers are in no way exhaustive but are some of the more common questions that most patients have. You should always speak with Dr. Azizzadeh about any concerns you may have, to get the best possible answer. If you have any questions that are not addressed here please feel free to utilize our comments section at the bottom of this page.

Am I a good candidate for a facelift or facial plastic surgery?

Good candidates for facelifts or facial plastic surgery are those looking to improve your appearance. You should be psychologically as well as physically healthy, with the goal of improvement rather than perfection. You should also be aware that there are potential risks and complications as there are with any facial rejuvenation procedures and surgery in general.

Can you be too old or too young for a facelift?

Most patients consider a facelift when they are around 40 years old. When considering a facelift or facial plastic surgery there is no age requirement that is set in stone. If you have loose sagging skin at a young age you may be a viable candidate for a facelift. There are cases where a person's elasticity of the skin may have diminished too much during the aging process, and he or she may be a good candidate for a facelift. Many times, patients are better candidates for non-surgical interventions such as fillers (Sculptra, Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm), botox/disport, laser resurfacing that have very limited risks.

How long do you facelift results last?

Facelifts typically restore your appearance 10-15 years depending on the level of aging although each person will have a unique outcome. The more natural the results, the better. The goal is not to make one look like they are twenty years old as that would create and un-natural appearance. The elasticity of the skin and results will vary from person to person. All in all, a person who does the proper homework and has realistic expectations for a facelift will obtain extremely satisfactory outcome.

Will my facelift be obvious to other people?

If you're facial surgery treatment is done properly there should not be any surgical signs that a facelift operation has been performed. The goal of a facelift is to help the patient look younger and well rested without creating the appearance of a "tight" face.

What kinds of facelift surgeries are available? Are there other options when considering a facelift procedure?

There are many type of facelift procedures that are available. Many times, patients are candidates for non-surgical procedures such as fractional laser resurfacing, fillers and botox. Many individuals will require fat grafting, eyelid rejuvenation as well as endoscopic browlift to obtain natural results.

What is a Mini facelift?

The mini facelift was designed to give patients a younger look in the cheek, lower eyelid and midface areas. The procedure helps establish facial balance giving you an overall younger look to your neck and lower third of your face.

The mini facelift has two different methods that can be performed either by themselves or combined with an anterior and posterior procedure.

What is a Mid-facelift?

A mid-facelift is focused on the triangular shape of your face that forms beneath the two corners of your eyes and the corner of the mouth. This is a common procedure for the midface as it tends to be one of the first areas to show an individual’s age. The mid-facelift can reposition the underlying fat on a person's face and their muscles, so your face is restored to a more youthful heart-shaped appearance. A mid-facelift typically ranges from one to two hours of surgery. The mid-facelift can be done as a solo operation or in tandem with lower blepharoplasty, fat grafting and lower facelift.

What is a Thread facelift?

The thread lift is a barbed-suture lift that is has been shown not have effective long-term results. Dr. Azizzadeh does not utilize this approach to facial rejuvenation. For patients seeking non-surgical facial rejuvenation, Dr. Azizzadeh prefers to utilize the “liquid facelift” approach which employs fillers, volumizers and botox to obtain rejuvenation.

How painful this facelift surgery?

Facelift surgery typically has a moderate amount of discomfort. From speaking with many of our patients, we have found very few cases were great pain was experienced by patients who have had facelift surgery.

Is it possible to be awake during a facelift surgery?

This is a question that is up to every individual. It is possible to use a local anesthetic, IV sedation (twilight anesthesia) or general anesthesia during your surgical process. In either case, you will be relaxed during surgery and will not feel pain during the process.

Will facelift surgery eliminate my wrinkles?

Yes and No. A facelift is designed to allow you a more well rested and youthful appearance, and cannot completely eliminate all wrinkles. Jowls, loose neck and facial skin will be significantly improved. However, expression lines around the eyes (crow’s feet, “11” sign, forehead wrinkles) and mouth (smoker lines) are not addressed with facelift procedures. These wrinkles typically require fractional laser resurfacing, fillers and Botox/Dysport to correct. Wrinkles and drooping of the brows and eyes may require specific techniques such as eyelid surgery or brow lift surgery.

At The Beverly Hills Center for Facial Rejvuenation, our goal is a more youthful appearance which is natural looking.

How much does a facelift cost?

In 2007 according to the American Society of aesthetic plastic surgery or the ASAPS, $6,792 was the average cost. Please note that this figure includes surgeon/physician fees solely and does not take into account the fees related to using a surgical facility, test, anesthesia, et cetera. Just like any other product or service, prices can vary widely. Depending on the patient's needs prices can and will vary. The cost of a facelift is something you definitely want to discuss with your surgeon or physician before hand.

How long will it be before I can return to normal activities after my facelift procedure?

Typically patients can go back to work after 7 to 10 days. It is always advisable to avoid strenuous activity for the first three weeks. These time periods vary depending on the procedures and the healing process of the individual.