Facelift

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that targets and rejuvenates areas of the face, including the forehead, mid-face, lower face, and neck. ⁽¹⁾ It is often pursued by people who have experienced the effects of aging, or people who have lost significant weight and are left with sagging facial skin. This surgery is often combined with other facial surgeries such as eyelid lifts or brow lifts for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Droopy, wrinkled facial skin can make you look and feel a lot older than you are. With a facelift, you can enhance your appearance and enjoy the end result of a smoother face that looks years younger. ⁽¹⁾

At California Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sean Younai has a wealth of experience performing facelifts. He will take the time to carefully plan out your procedure so that the results are natural and attractive. We want our patients to feel rejuvenated, and for their appearance to reflect their youthful energy. To schedule an appointment at either our West Hollywood or Beverly Hills locations, please call us at (310) 275-1971. You can also fill out our contact form and we will be in touch with you shortly.

To learn more about Dr. Younai and how he can skillfully enhance your appearance, check out our blog.

Before and After Photos

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About Facelifts

As we age, facial skin can take on a sagging appearance. The soft tissues and their supporting structure may become weak or thin, fat may atrophy, and the face can look hollow as a result. A facelift serves to rectify these issues in several ways, ultimately removing excess skin that contributes to the aged look and redraping it in an effective way. ⁽²⁾ Dr. Younai offers either a mini facelift or a full, traditional facelift.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift will focus on the lower areas of the face, where there is usually the most sagging skin. The mini facelift, though less extensive, is still impactful for rejuvenating the facial appearance. This procedure will emphasize the jawline and reduce any jowls, which makes for a significant improvement to the overall appearance of the face. ⁽¹⁾

Full (Traditional) Facelift

A full facelift is a great option for patients who want a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation procedure. This procedure considers additional areas of the face that are often impacted by aging. Not only does a traditional facelift address the sagging jowls and the weakened jawline, but it also addresses the midface region, some deep facial wrinkles, and the neck, and can even tighten the underlying muscles in the face to provide an overall younger appearance. ⁽²⁾

Benefits

With a facelift, patients can enjoy multiple benefits. One of the main reasons our patients are satisfied with their facelift results is that they can emerge from recovery looking years younger. Your skin will be smoother and lay in a tighter contour that flatters your facial structure. After a facelift, the results are revitalizing and natural-looking. Patients may also enjoy increased confidence in their appearance.

A facelift with Dr. Younai is customized to your facial features and desired goals. Dr. Younai will work meticulously to sculpt your appearance and help you look like a younger, healthier you.

Candidates

Dr. Younai considers the ideal candidate for a facelift to be a healthy woman or man who has been considering a facelift for a while. They may be unhappy with wrinkles and drooping facial skin, and they understand the outcomes achievable with a facelift. Patients who receive a facelift are often within the age range of 50 to 60 years of age, but patients can be younger or older than this range. We encourage anyone interested in a facelift to schedule a consultation with Dr. Younai, who can help you determine the best treatment plan for your situation.

Personal Consultation

We will request that you attend a personal consultation with Dr. Younai before scheduling your surgery to ensure you are a healthy candidate. During this important meeting, Dr. Younai will determine what variation of facelift will be the most effective solution for your concerns. He will also consider whether you would benefit from any related procedures. For example, some patients find that a brow lift in combination with their facelift solves concerns they have with their upper face, as this procedure can restore a wakeful look to the eyes, as well as remove brow furrows.

You will also have the opportunity to ask lots of questions at this time and learn about the surgical techniques that Dr. Younai uses during a facelift. Your personal consultation allows you and Dr. Younai to get to know each other; he will ask you about your health, past procedures, current medications, and whether or not you have any allergies. He will also examine your face and explain where incisions will be made. Our goal is for you to leave this meeting informed and excited about your upcoming surgery. Schedule your consultations today by giving us a call at (310) 275-1971 or filling out our contact form. You can attend a consultation at either of our locations in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood.

Preparation

To prepare for your surgery, you will need to fill relevant prescriptions, arrange transportation, and ask someone to stay with you for the first few days of recovery. You will need to take a week or two off from work, so you should plan ahead when asking for time off. Because the resulting swelling from this surgery may temporarily interfere with your eyesight, we recommend preparing your living space and making sure there are clear paths for you to walk along. Dr. Younai will provide you with detailed instructions during your consultation so you understand exactly how to prepare for your facelift.

Procedure

Dr. Younai uses modern methods to ensure his patient’s surgeries safely deliver impressive results. A facelift surgery usually requires either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Younai will discuss anesthesia options with you during your consultation. The whole surgery will take about 3 hours but may take longer if you choose to incorporate other procedures.

Patients can choose to undergo either a full facelift or a mini facelift–the procedure for both types will vary. During a full facelift, an incision extending to the bottom of the ears will be hidden along the natural hairline. If Dr. Younai is treating the neck, he may also need to make an incision below the chin. These incisions may vary slightly from patient to patient based on your desired outcome and anatomical features, but all will be discreet. Dr. Younai will ultimately trim away excess skin and strategically lift certain areas to naturally enhance the contours of your face. Once Dr. Younai is happy with the outcome, he will redrape the skin. ⁽¹⁾

A mini facelift is less extensive than a full facelift. A mini facelift often includes shorter incisions and a shorter recovery period. In this procedure, a shorter incision is made around the ears. The lower skin of the face is arranged to address sagging and wrinkles. This procedure does not target the upper face or neck. But if you are bothered by jowls or loose, creased skin along your jawline and chin, a mini facelift may be perfect for you!

Recovery

For about 2-4 weeks after your procedure, you will need to sleep on your back with your head elevated. ⁽¹⁾ This position will keep you from applying undue pressure to incisions, as well as minimize swelling. We recommend taking brief walks as soon as you feel up to it. Walking will improve circulation, which can improve your healing process. Pain medication can help control any discomfort. You should avoid direct sunlight on your face until your incisions are fully healed. If you have any questions during your recovery, feel free to call our office. We are here to help you!

A follow-up appointment with Dr. Younai will allow him to examine your incisions and answer any new questions you may have. Most patients are able to return to work after 1-2 weeks, or once the bulk of the swelling has dissipated.

Results

You will notice changes in your appearance immediately following the surgery. Your newly-shaped face will improve in appearance over the next 2 weeks as swelling continues to go down. ⁽²⁾ Your final results will settle in about 2-3 months after surgery. ⁽²⁾ Dr. Younai will have artfully sculpted your face so that the results complement your features and appear natural. You may feel more confident and appear more youthful as a result. These results will last for years to come!

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

A facelift is often combined with other facial procedures to maximize the results. The areas around the eyes will most likely not be addressed by a facelift alone, so Dr. Younai may recommend an upper or lower eyelid lift if you are looking to rejuvenate these areas. ⁽¹⁾ Whatever your concern, Dr. Younai will help you develop a treatment plan to address it. He is passionate about helping his patients be their best selves!

Upper Eyelid Lift

An upper eyelid lift targets the loose, sagging skin of the upper eyelid. Some patients receive this surgery because the upper lid can droop to such an extent that it even interferes with their vision. With this procedure, Dr. Younai can reduce excess tissue to help your eyes appear wider and more alert.

Lower Eyelid Lift

A lower eyelid lift targets the fat and sagging skin pockets, or “bags” under your eyes. This feature can develop over time due to gravity, or it may have always been a part of your appearance. In lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Younai will gently remove and redistribute the prominent fat pockets to smooth out the midface. Without eyebags, patients can look much less aged or tired.

Brow Lift

A brow lift can address any severe lines and deep furrows on your forehead. These lines can contribute to a tired or unhappy look; without them, the forehead will be smoother and more youthful-looking. This lift can further emphasize the rejuvenating effects of a facelift.

Cost of a Facelift in West Hollywood

The cost of your facelift will be unique to you and your appearance. Dr. Younai customizes each facelift to the unique contours of the patient’s face and their desired outcome–allowing his patients to look and feel their best! To learn how much your procedure will cost, schedule a consultation with us today or give one of our offices a call to learn more. You can reach our Beverly Hills and West Hollywood offices at (310) 275-1971. You can also contact us through our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

References

1. Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/
2. Del Campo A. Update on minimally invasive facelift technique. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2008;28(1):51-61. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asj.2007.06.006