When most people age, both their face and neck drop. The cheeks sag, jowling, a blunting of the neck contour and sagging neck skin. Even if you feel invigorated, your face says otherwise. We know from studies that rejuvenation procedures can improve self-esteem and quality of life. Though the most important qualities are more than skin deep, looking better will make one feel better. The facelift is still the cornerstone of facial aesthetic surgery.

What is a Facelift?

Facelift in San Ramon, CA

The facelift has been performed for over a century. Most people are surprised that a Parisian cosmetic dermatologist, Suzanne Noel was one of the first doctors to perform a facelift. Since that time, the facelift has undergone many revisions to improve its effectiveness. In the past, the lower facelift has been performed under general anesthesia. With others in the field, Dr. Gladstone was one of the pioneers in performing the facelift with local tumescent anesthesia and oral sedation. Dr. Gladstone’s facelifts are known for maintaining a natural, but rejuvenated appearance. The lower facelift can help lift the cheeks, can reduce jowling, can reduce marionette lines, possibly provide a significantly better neck contour and may reduce loose skin. It may not appreciably reduce smile lines, hollowing of the cheeks or wrinkles around the mouth, Laser resurfacing can be performed simultaneously with the facelift to reduce wrinkles around the mouth and lips. After the swelling from a facelift resolves, fillers can be used to decrease smile lines and volumize cheeks.

What is a Lower Facelift?

A lower facelift is essentially a combination of the mini lift and the neck lift. The incision extends from the top of the ear to behind the ear and into the scalp. Most of the face and neck are completely loosened, and internal stitches are placed in both the SMAS and the platysmal muscles. Neck liposuction is always performed as part of the facelift. It requires 3- 3 ½ hours and can be combined with other procedures such as a blepharoplasty. A compression garment is recommended to be worn as much as you can for two weeks. As with the neck liposuction, mini lift, and neck lift, the facelift wounds need to be taken care of for two weeks. The sutures are dissolvable.

The down time for a lower facelift can be 10-14 days. If a facelift is performed alone, and is done on a Friday, you may be able to go back to work 9 days later. There may still be swelling, but often this may also create an improvement if you also have some cheek hollowing. There may be soreness and a tight feeling, but you can possibly work from home and go for walks starting the day after the procedure. Facelifts can generally last 8-10 years. The age range is from the late 40’s (if a patient has had severe sun damage).

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*Individual results may vary.

From the moment you walk into the Gladstone Clinic, you’ll find that our staff is both professional and gracious, while Dr. Gladstone is warm, knowledgeable and incredibly skilled. Using the latest and most advanced procedures for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, our team offers services emphasizing overall health and wellness to the residents of San Ramon, Danville, Pleasanton, San Francisco, and the surrounding communities in California.  Contact us now to set up your complimentary consultation!

*Individual results may vary.