Facelift Surgery at Boston Plastic Surgery

Lift & refine your face for a more youthful look

Your face is one of the most important aspects of your physical appearance, and unfortunately, that’s exactly where the signs of aging first become apparent. The undesirable effects of stress, sun damage, pollution, and generally growing older can take their toll on your face and neckline.

At our Boston plastic surgery center, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Foaud Samaha and female plastic surgeon Dr. Alannah Phelan are experienced in preserving facial structure while providing natural-looking facelift results for both men and women. Using advanced facelift techniques like the deep plane or short scar methods, Dr. Samaha and Dr. Phelan can help turn back the clock to reveal a younger, more rejuvenated you.

Before & After »

See patient results in our before and after gallery

What can facelift surgery correct?

A surgical facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, help you look like a younger version of yourself by removing excess fat, tightening the underlying facial muscles, and re-draping the skin around the neck and face. When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, a facelift can effectively treat the following aesthetic concerns:

  • Facial creases and folds
  • Heavy jowls
  • Fat deposits under the jawline
  • Sagging skin in the lower face and neck

Our experienced plastic surgeons personalize each facelift procedure to suit each patient’s unique anatomy and goals so that they can reduce the signs of aging in the mid and lower face. Their goal is to successfully provide you with a more natural look by using a variety of advanced surgical methods, including deep plane facelifts and short scar techniques.

Am I a good candidate for facial cosmetic surgery?

Speaking with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the only way to determine if a procedure is right for you, but there are some general criteria that must be met for cosmetic surgery to be performed safely and successfully. If the below statements apply to you, you may be a good candidate for facial cosmetic surgery:

  • I am in overall good health.
  • I do not have any underlying conditions that will impact healing.
  • I am a non-smoker or willing to quit at least a month before surgery.
  • I have reasonable expectations about my results.

If these statements do not apply to you, rest assured there are a variety of non-surgical treatments and medical-grade products that can achieve the outstanding results you desire. Our expert medical aesthetics team looks forward to reviewing these options with you, along with risk, costs, and more important information in your personal consultation.

A before and after image of a Revision Facelift patient. The procedure was performed by Dr. Alannah Phelan of Boston Plastic Surgery.
This patient is shown before and after a facelift performed by Dr. Alannah Phelan to address jowls, naso-labial folds around the mouth, jawline skin laxity, and signs of aging in the submental area and neck.

Is there a “right age” for a facelift?

We all age differently, so the “right age” for a facelift depends on the person. Having a facelift when you are younger does have many benefits: because the skin’s elasticity and underlying tissue volume are still relatively good in your 40s, your facelift surgeon can achieve better, more natural-looking results. That being said, people who see signs of aging a bit later than others will probably be fine with waiting until their 50s or even 60s before they opt for a surgical facelift, and can achieve facial rejuvenation with non-surgical treatments and minimally invasive procedures until then.

Our plastic surgeons’ techniques: Superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift & deep plane facelift

A Boston facelift is the ideal procedure to help you look younger, naturally. Surgical incisions are placed behind the hairline or in areas that follow the natural contour of your skin to be virtually invisible.

Depending on each patient’s unique needs, anatomy, and aesthetic goals, there are several facelift techniques we may customize for you. The Dual Plane facelift is a technique that repositions the deep layers of the face, rather than simply stretching the skin (which can result in a tight, windswept appearance). We also utilize elements of the Deep Plane Facelift technique to address facial aging by tightening and raising the musculature and ligaments of the face, as well as fallen cheek pads, also without placing tension on the skin. Customizing your facelift using these techniques allows Dr. Samaha and Dr. Phelan to create a natural-looking result.

We’re proud to offer facelifts for men too! When performing facelifts for men, Dr. Samaha and Dr. Phelan will adjust the facelift technique to preserve a masculine appearance.

Facial fat grafting

Often used in conjunction with a facelift, facial fat grafting can help to fill in hollow areas and “re-volumize” the face for a more youthful appearance. During the procedure, fat cells are harvested from your own body, purified, and gently grafted. Commonly used to treat the lips, grooves between lips and cheek, and hollowed cheeks, fat grafting can be a successful, long-lasting option for soft tissue augmentation.

Volume restoration is essential in the process of facial rejuvenation, and Dr. Samaha and Dr. Phelan can discuss with you the pros and cons of fat grafting vs. injectable fillers to help you achieve your goals.

Facelift Before and After image showing reduced jowls, improved neckline, firm jawline, and healthy skin
For this facelift patient, Dr. Samaha used a conservative approach to address the jowls and enhance the jawline and the neck area while maintaining a natural appearance. Post-surgery photos were taken 3 months after surgery.

What is the cost of facelift surgery?

The average cost of a facelift in Boston is between $8000 and $30,000. Of course, the financial investment of facial surgery is a major factor for many patients. At Boston Plastic Surgery, we understand the complexity and investment of surgery. As such, we offer financing options to ease our patients’ minds.

During your personal surgical consultation, you will be provided with a detailed cost quote for your facelift procedure. You can also call our office at 617.786.7600 if you would like an estimate of your cost prior to your consult.

Facelift results

The longevity of your facelift results will depend on a number of factors: your age, natural skin elasticity, lifestyle, smoking or stress, and how well you take care of your skin. That being said, facelift patients are typically happy with their look for 7 to 10 years (sometimes longer) after a standard facelift.

Secondary facelifts

Facelifts are incredible at achieving significant and noticeable facial rejuvenation, and while the results last many years, there is a point where aging and gravity will once again start to take their toll on your appearance. If it’s been several years since your facelift, it’s perfectly reasonable to consider a secondary facelift. At Boston Plastic Surgery, we have a lot of patients come to see Dr. Samaha and Dr. Phelan who are interested in a second facelift and have questions about the procedure. Read more about secondary facelifts here.

Combining procedures for a more rejuvenated appearance

A facelift will not change the shape of your nose, eyes, forehead, or overall skin texture, but it can be combined with other procedures to achieve these results, depending on your goals. A facelift may be performed alone, or in conjunction with another surgical procedure such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, brow lift, chin augmentation, buccal fat removal, lip lift, earlobe repair, lower facelift, or neck lift. Note that if the problem areas are limited to the neck alone, an isolated neck lift may be recommended instead.

If you’re interested in a complete full-body makeover, Dr. Samaha and Dr. Phelan can also perform body reshaping through breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction and more. Check out our Before & After page for the impressive results from their many happy patients!

Add on non-surgical treatments to enhance your results

It is common to combine a facelift or mini facelift with nonsurgical, non-invasive facial treatments to repair skin damage and concerns such as dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne to reveal a more youthful appearance. Some of these procedures can even be performed simultaneously with your facelift, resulting in complete and comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

The team of experts and surgeons at our Boston aesthetic wellness center can help you find and achieve your larger cosmetic goals with an extensive menu of safe and proven facial treatments and procedures. Our medically supervised skin health services include state-of-the-art laser procedures, phototherapy, microneedling, radiofrequency skin tightening, anti-aging peels, dermal injectables, and more.

You can also achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful skin by incorporating the finest medical-grade skin care products into your daily regimen. Our licensed medical aestheticians look forward to designing a customized skin treatment plan specifically suited to your needs and goals.

FAQs

There are several types of facelifts, including the traditional facelift, deep plane facelift mini facelift, mid-facelift, and neck lift. Each targets different areas and provides varying degrees of rejuvenation. Our surgeons will explain which procedure is right for you and your goals.

Recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure but generally takes about 1-2 weeks. Swelling and bruising are common for the first 2 weeks, gradually diminishing as you heal. Most patients can return to their normal activities after 4-6 weeks. Full results are visible at about the 6 month mark but you still see improvement for up to a year or more.

Risks include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve injury, and anesthesia complications. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon and following the pre-and post-operative instructions can help minimize these risks.

The results of a facelift can last for 7-10 years and beyond. However, the aging process continues, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skincare routine can help prolong the effects.

A facelift significantly reduces wrinkles and sagging, but it may not remove all fine lines or skin texture issues. Complementary treatments like Botox and fillers can address lines and wrinkles and skin resurfacing treatments like laser, microneedling, or chemical peels can improve surface imperfections that facelift surgery doesn’t address.

Yes, facelifts are becoming increasingly popular among men. Our surgeons tailor each facelift technique to maintain a masculine appearance while addressing signs of aging.

During your facelift consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your medical history, discuss your goals, examine your facial structure, and recommend the best surgical approach. They will also discuss potential risks and answer any questions.

We provide detailed, easy-to-follow pre-op instructions based on your procedure plan, which may include stopping certain medications, avoiding smoking, and arranging for post-surgery transportation and care.

We place incisions in inconspicuous areas around the hairline and ears so they are naturally concealed in contours and shadows when possible. Surgical incisions heal to be very fine, flat lines making them virtually undetectable. Make sure you follow all aftercare instructions so your incisions heal beautifully and your scars are not noticeable.

Facelifts are usually performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation, depending on the extent of the surgery and your surgeon’s recommendation.

Expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the initial healing phase. These effects are normal and will gradually diminish over the next week. You will need to wear compression wraps or a compression garment until your surgeon says otherwise. We will review everything with you so you feel confident about what to expect and how to care for yourself.

Most patients can return to work and light activities within 7 days and some normal activities after 2-3 weeks. You’ll need to postpone strenuous activity and exercise for 4-6 weeks—your surgeon will clear you to resume certain activity levels at your follow-up appointments. Over-exerting yourself can cause unnecessary swelling and prolong the healing process.

We thoughtfully place incisions to minimize any noticeable changes to your hairline. However, some temporary changes in hair growth around the incisions may occur due to swelling but should return to normal as you heal. We will discuss where your incisions will be and what to expect regarding your hairline during your consultation.

Non-surgical options like Botox, dermal fillers, and skin tightening treatments can provide temporary improvements but won’t achieve the same results as a surgical facelift.

Avoid smoking, alcohol, strenuous activities, and unprotected sun exposure until Dr. Samaha or Dr. Phelan clears you. Follow your aftercare instructions to the letter for a smooth recovery.

Keep your skin clean, moisturized, and protected from the sun. Use gentle skincare products and follow all post-operative care instructions.

Yes, a facelift can improve the appearance of a double chin, especially when combined with a neck lift if you have significant skin and muscle laxity. Liposuction is ideal for removing excess fat in the area.

Swelling is most significant during the first week and gradually subsides over the next few weeks. Some residual swelling may persist for several months but won’t be apparent to most people.

There is no specific age limit, but most facelift patients are between 40 and 70 years old. The suitability of the procedure depends on your overall health and skin condition rather than age. Many patients are choosing to get a facelift earlier to enjoy strong results for longer, while others wait until signs of aging are more bothersome.

References »

Quatela V, Montague A, Manning JP, Antunes M. Extended Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Flap Rhytidectomy. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.007.

Rousso DE, Adams AS. Nuances in Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Rhytidectomy. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.010.

Gentile RD. Laser-Assisted Facelifting and Energy-Based Rejuvenation Techniques During Rhytidectomy. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.006.

Hammoudeh ZS, Stevens WG. Nonsurgical Adjuncts Following Facelift to Achieve Optimal Aesthetic Outcomes: “Icing on the Cake.” Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2019.06.002. 

Jacono AA. A Novel Volumizing Extended Deep-Plane Facelift: Using Composite Flap Shifts to Volumize the Midface and Jawline. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2020 doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.001.

Bater KL, Ishii LE, Papel ID, Kontis TC, Byrne PJ, Boahene KDO, Nellis JC, Ishii M. Association Between Facial Rejuvenation and Observer Ratings of Youth, Attractiveness, Success, and Health. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. 2017. doi: 10.1001/jamafacial.2017.0126.

Yang, Huanla. (2023). Research on the Application of Mini Facelift in Facial Plastic Surgery. Dermatological Health. 1. 14-18. 10.26689/dh.v1i2.5363. 

Experience the best in care with Boston Plastic Surgery Schedule your consultation with Dr. Samaha or Dr. Phelan

If you’re interested in learning more about facelift procedures or other kinds of facial plastic surgery, check out our educational blog. And if you’re ready to discuss all of your facelift questions in person, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Samaha or Dr. Phelan at Boston Plastic Surgery today. They will happily meet with you one-on-one to help you determine the best ways to achieve a glowing, renewed appearance that will help you feel confident and beautiful from the inside out.

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