Your Top 5 Facelift Questions Answered

Couple smiling on the beach after facelift surgery in Hingham, MA

Facelift surgery is often a misunderstood procedure for a few reasons. First, a traditional facelift is designed to rejuvenate the appearance of the lower face only. Additionally, you may hear about multiple types of facelifts, such as mini facelifts, deep-plane facelifts, and even liquid facelifts. Patients considering facelift surgery at my Boston-area practice typically have many questions.

In this blog post, I’ll address some of the most common questions women and men ask about facelift surgery to help demystify the procedure and help anyone thinking about facial rejuvenation to be more informed when they consult with a plastic surgeon.

What is a mini facelift?

Facelift surgery is often modified based on the condition of the skin and the patient’s cosmetic goals. Not everyone needs a full facelift, which involves repositioning the muscle and tissue in the lower face (and often the neck) and removing excess skin. A mini facelift is a less invasive procedure involving smaller, s-shaped incisions around the ears. A mini facelift minimizes minor sagging around the cheeks and jawline. It’s often a good approach for patients in their 40s who can’t get the results they desire with nonsurgical treatments.

Are there nonsurgical facelifts?

Speaking of nonsurgical treatments, you may have come across phrases such as liquid facelift or Instalift. A liquid facelift combines dermal fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic injected strategically to create comprehensive results that mimic the results of a facelift. A Silhouette Instalift is a minimally invasive technique that puts dissolvable sutures with tiny cones under the skin in order to reposition and physically lift areas of the face. It requires little downtime.

When can I exercise after a facelift?

Patients are often surprised that the recovery following facelift surgery isn’t as uncomfortable as they anticipated. Most people can resume normal daily activities within a couple of weeks of surgery, and we encourage patients to begin walking the day after the surgery. If you’re a regular gym-goer, however, strenuous activities should be postponed for at least 3 to 4 weeks.

How much does a facelift cost?

The cost of a facelift, as you may expect, varies depending on the specific needs of each patient. In addition to the surgeon’s fees, the total facelift cost may include fees for the operating room and an anesthesiologist, medications, and other expenses. According to the RealSelf website, the average cost of a facelift in the Boston area is $13,900.

Can you see facelift scars?

Skilled, board-certified plastic surgeons make facelift incisions so that they can be concealed behind the ear and along the hairline. For the deep-plane facelift technique I typically use, the incisions include one behind the ear, one in front of the ear, and one that partially extends up into, or along, the scalp.

In our gallery of before-and-after photos, you can see the kind of results that facelift surgery produces. If you’re looking for a facelift specialist in the Boston area, contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us at (781) 740-7840 to schedule an appointment.

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