What Is a Facelift and Neck Lift?
Depending on your needs and cosmetic goals, a facelift and neck lift procedure can address common signs of aging in the lower face, jawline, and neck areas. Facelift and neck lift surgery is designed to remove excess fat and sagging skin of the neck while tightening the deeper facial muscles to reveal a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance. Our double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Emily Hrisomalos, can help patients look more refreshed and youthful with facelift and neck lift procedures.
Facelift & Neck Lift At a Glance
- Potential Benefits:
- A smoother, firmer facial profile; improved jawline and neck contour; reduction of sagging skin and jowls in the lower third of the face; and a more refreshed appearance.
- Ideal Candidates:
- Healthy adults experiencing skin laxity, folds, or loss of facial definition who wish to restore youthful contours without appearing “overdone.”
- Procedure Overview:
- Through discreetly placed incisions, Dr. Hrisomalos repositions and tightens underlying facial tissues, removes excess skin, and refines the neck and jawline for balanced rejuvenation.
- Recovery Timeline:
- Most patients return to normal daily activities within one to two weeks; swelling and bruising typically subside in several weeks, with continued improvement over a few months.
- Surgeon’s Experience:
- Dr. Emily Hrisomalos is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializing in advanced facelift and neck lift techniques designed for natural-looking, lasting results.
What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?
A facelift remains one of the most effective procedures for addressing visible signs of facial aging. The surgery targets sagging skin, deep facial folds, and jowling that can develop along the lower face and jawline. By tightening the underlying muscles and gently redraping the skin, Dr. Hrisomalos can restore a firmer, more youthful appearance while preserving each patient’s natural facial character.
Beyond cosmetic improvement, patients often report feeling more confident and revitalized after surgery. The procedure can also improve facial harmony when combined with a neck lift, creating a smooth transition between the face and neck for a balanced, refreshed look.
What is the Best Age for a Facelift?
There is no set age at which a facelift is most appropriate, as differences in genetics and lifestyle habits can impact the rate at which facial aging occurs. That said, most facelift procedures are performed on patients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, when the common signs of aging typically become more prevalent. Ideal candidates should be in good health with realistic expectations regarding their facelift results. Additionally, candidates should:
- Avoid smoking for roughly six weeks before and after surgery
- Have adequate skin elasticity
- Discuss any current or prior medical conditions and medications with Dr. Hrisomalos
For younger patients or those who would prefer a non-surgical alternative, a liquid facelift utilizes injectable neurotoxins and dermal fillers to address the signs of aging and enhance facial aesthetics. A non-surgical facelift can smooth fine lines and wrinkles and restore volume for a more youthful look.
Ultimately, the best course of action will vary across patients depending on their specific needs and goals. During a consultation, Dr. Hrisomalos can evaluate individual concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to produce the desired aesthetic outcomes.
Is a Facelift Different for Men vs. Women?
While the fundamental goals of a facelift are similar for all patients, Dr. Hrisomalos carefully tailors her approach to respect anatomical and aesthetic differences between men and women. Male patients typically desire results that maintain stronger jawline angles and subtle lifting, while women may seek softer contours and enhanced cheek definition. Incision placement, tissue repositioning, and skin tension are all customized to complement each individual’s natural features and preferences to maximize the potential for results that look authentic rather than altered.
How Is the Facelift Procedure Performed?
When deciding the best technique to employ, Dr. Hrisomalos takes into consideration the patient’s unique bone structure, skin texture, and underlying muscle tone. Dr. Hrisomalos generally makes an incision in the temporal hairline that continues along or just inside the ear and ends behind the ear. Most often, an incision is also made in the natural crease under the chin. The exact incision length and location will depend on the patient’s unique anatomy and individualized treatment plan. Dr. Hrisomalos implements specialized techniques to ensure incisions are as inconspicuous as possible. Of course, final healing is dependent on post-operative care and many patient-specific factors.
During the procedure, Dr. Hrisomalos tightens and repositions deep facial tissue, along with debulking unwanted tissue (via liposuction or direct excision), to help restore firmness in the treatment areas and restore contour to the jawline and neck. The skin is then gently re-draped into a natural, tightened position with care taken to avoid anything “overdone” or unnatural appearing.
It is normal for patients to experience discomfort after surgery; however, symptoms are often managed with over-the-counter pain medication. The physical recovery period generally takes one week. Social recovery, of course, is dependent on each patient’s comfort level with being seen during the evolving stages of recovery. Some patients feel comfortable being in public after 7-10 days, others are more comfortable after two to three weeks. Final healing and settling takes several months. Regarding physical activity, patients are okay to start walking and performing normal daily activities immediately after surgery; however, cardio and heavy lifting should be avoided for two weeks and then may be gradually and slowly reintroduced. After the procedure, Dr. Hrisomalos will provide more detailed post-operative instructions to help guide patients during the healing process.
What is Recovery Like After Facelift and Neck Lift Surgery?
The recovery process varies from patient to patient. On average, swelling and bruising fades two to four weeks after the procedure, and any numbness typically resolves in a few weeks as well. Pain medication may also be prescribed to alleviate discomfort. Keeping the head and neck elevated in addition to remaining hydrated can help diminish swelling and make recovery more efficient.
“Social” recovery also tends to differ based on when each patient feels most comfortable going out in public. Cold compresses can help minimize swelling, and cosmetics may be able to help diminish the appearance of post-surgical bruising. Dr. Hrisomalos will let patients know when it is okay to begin applying make-up again.
To maintain strong and healthy skin post-surgery, Dr. Hrisomalos recommends using quality skin care products to protect from sun damage and reduce future signs of aging.
Will I Have Facelift and Neck Lift Scars?
Most surgeries that involve incisions produce scarring. That said, an experienced facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Hrisomalos can often discreetly place incision lines along natural contours of the face and neck, resulting in scars that are as inconspicuous as possible. With a facelift and neck lift, incisions can be placed along the hairline, behind the ear, or beneath the chin. Additionally, scars typically fade over time to become less noticeable. Dr. Hrisomalos takes great care to minimize visible scarring when performing a facelift and neck lift.
How Long Do Facelift and Neck Lift Results Last?
The rejuvenating effects of a facelift and neck lift can be very long-lasting (often a decade or more) depending on genetics, skin quality, and lifestyle habits. While no procedure can stop the natural aging process, patients typically continue to look younger than they would if they had not had the surgery since a facelift essentially “resets the clock.” Maintaining healthy skin care habits, protecting against sun damage, and avoiding smoking can help prolong results and preserve smoother, firmer skin and more refined contours for years to come.
Facial Fat Transfer
For patients seeking more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, Dr. Emily Hrisomalos may recommend combining a facelift with facial fat transfer. This technique, sometimes referred to as “fat injections” or “fat grafting”, uses your own purified fat to restore youthful volume in areas like the cheeks, temples, and under-eye hollows. By addressing both skin laxity and volume loss, the combination can create softer, more balanced contours and longer-lasting, natural-looking results.
Complementary Procedures
Many patients choose to combine a facelift and neck lift with other facial rejuvenation options to enhance overall results. Procedures such as eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facial fat transfer can address additional areas of concern and restore youthful fullness and balance. Non-surgical treatments—including BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal fillers, laser treatments, or other options—may also be incorporated to refine skin texture and tone. If you are interested in adding other treatment options to your facelift procedure, Dr. Hrisomalos will work with you to design a comprehensive, personalized plan that aligns with your goals and can ultimately deliver a naturally refreshed appearance.
How Much Does a Facelift and Neck Lift Cost?
The overall cost of treatment will be different for every patient, as the procedure is individualized to each person’s own unique needs and aesthetic goals. Some factors that go into how much a person may spend on a facelift and neck lift include the following:
- Overnight stay cost (if necessary)
- Complexity of treatment
- Additional adjuvant procedures
- Dr. Hrisomalos’ surgical fee
- Surgical facility costs and anesthesia fees
During the consultation, Dr. Hrisomalos will give you a better idea of what your treatment plan will be and how much it will cost. Our practice offers a variety of payment options that we will also go over with you.
To learn more about the facelift and neck lift procedure or to book a consultation with Dr. Hrisomalos, please do not hesitate to contact us today!
“Dr Emily as I call her is first class. Very caring kind and gentle. My results are amazing. My saggy neck is flat lifted and beautiful. She lifted by eyes and I am not only pretty but my vision is much better. I would highly recommend her to anyone wanting to look young and beautiful. Great experience.”