What is a Facelift Surgery?

There is no way to avoid it; heredity, years of expressing emotions, gravity, sun, wind, and the simple passage of time inevitably lead to wrinkling and loosening of the skin. If you are unhappy with the aged and wrinkled appearance of your face, it may be time to consider a facelift in Boston. A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the face by reducing visible signs of aging. This procedure targets sagging skin, deep folds, and wrinkles by tightening underlying tissues, removing excess skin, and redistributing fat. The result is a smoother, more youthful appearance that enhances the natural contours of the face. Facelifts are tailored to each individual, ensuring natural-looking results that complement one's unique facial structure. This transformative surgery can significantly boost self-confidence and provide lasting rejuvenation, helping patients look as vibrant and youthful as they feel.

Facelift Overview

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Why Choose Dr. Spiegel For Facelift Surgery?

Choosing Dr. Spiegel for a facelift means selecting a globally recognized pioneer in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Spiegel is board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. His extensive credentials include over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and a wide range of expertise in facial plastic surgery, microvascular surgery, and head and neck reconstruction. Dr. Spiegel has transformed the field with his innovative concepts and techniques. As the founder of The Spiegel Center, Newton Surgery, and Premier Plastic Surgery Partners, he is trusted by patients around the world. Dr. Spiegel also significantly contributes to the training of future surgeons through his prestigious fellowship program.

Dr. Spiegel is acclaimed for his unique recovery regimens that minimize downtime while enhancing results. His distinguished career is marked by numerous major awards from surgical and plastic surgery societies, underscoring his exceptional contributions.

Accomplishments

  • Awarded as one of the Top Doctors in Boston 2024
  • Standing professor at Boston University School of Medicine
  • Performs over 1200+ primary and advanced procedures annually
  • Voted Best Recovery Regimens 2024

Facelift Candidates 

At any point in adulthood, there are methods to prevent or reverse the unwanted changes that occur with aging. When determining whether a patient is a candidate for a Facelift, anatomy is more important than age. In general, the most common age range for patients to undergo facial rejuvenation surgery is from their 40s to 70s, but patients on the younger and older ends of the spectrum may be candidates as well.  

What all surgical candidates have in common are noticeable signs of facial aging and good overall health. If you feel that any of the descriptions below apply, a facelift at our Newton cosmetic surgery practice might be right for you. 

  • Excessive soft tissue laxity of the lower face and neck
  • Jowling or a poorly defined jawline
  • Loose skin, fat, or vertical banding of the neck
  • Deep grooves around the nose and mouth
  • A perpetually ‘tired’ or ‘angry’ appearance that doesn’t reflect your youthfulness or emotional state

Facelift Process and Procedure 

During a Facelift, an incision is made in a crease just in front of the ear, and then behind the ear into the scalp. The incision is always designed to take advantage of natural creases and hairlines for concealment. The skin is meticulously raised, and underlying muscle and connective tissues are tightened. Excess skin and fat are carefully tailored to provide a smooth and natural facial contour. 

Finally, the skin is redraped, and the incisions are closed with fine sutures. At the conclusion, a large fluffy protective overnight dressing is applied to protect the face. The Spiegel Center’s seasoned, double board-certified surgeons have considerable expertise in designing and closing well-camouflaged incisions and are known for leaving inconspicuous scars.

Facelift Recovery 

Home The Same Day

You can go home on the same day as your procedure. At The Spiegel Center, we can arrange a friendly, helpful nurse to tend to your needs while you rest and relax. Cold compresses are used to keep swelling and bruising to a minimum. 

Comfort Is Key

While most patients experience very little discomfort after surgery, pain medications will of course be made available to you. For the next week, a soft compressive dressing is recommended to be worn as much as possible. This helps reduce the swelling and gets you feeling well sooner for the best result.

Back Outside In No Time

Sutures are typically removed after one week, and most patients feel well and ready to get back to their normal routines at this point. Still, we advise patients to avoid vigorous activity and to wear the soft wrap at night for another week. With time, the incision scars heal into thin lines that are barely noticeable, and hidden in natural skin creases or in the hair. 

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Is a Facelift Right for Me?

A Facelift is one of the most common facial plastic surgery procedures for those seeking facial rejuvenation. However, not everybody who wants to appear younger actually needs surgery. For patients with relatively early or more subtle evidence of aging, non-surgical options to tighten and improve the quality of the skin may be best.  

In such cases, liposculpture, liposuction, or FaceTite is all that is needed. Non-invasive options are also worth considering; this type of facial rejuvenation uses fillers to shape and contour the face as well as reduce signs of aging - without a single incision or the need for recovery time.

A Facelift Sets The Clock Back

Facelift surgery is the only means to truly reverse the most dramatic and visible anatomical changes that occur with the aging face. A Facelift restores your facial skin and underlying tissues to where they once were. We encourage a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation so that areas like the brow, temples, eyelids, lips, and skin texture are not neglected. 

A comprehensive approach with complementary procedures to rejuvenate these other areas ensures the most youthful achievable appearance. Finally, the key to retaining a youthful look is proper and consistent maintenance. At The Spiegel Center, we provide a full array of procedures and treatments to help you maintain and enhance your great results. 

Our approach with a Facelift is to make you look the way you did when you were younger, not like somebody else. As a result, we want people to see you after your facelift surgery and wonder why you look so good. Questions you might hear include “Have you lost weight?” or “Did you just go on vacation?”

What Kind Of Facelift Procedures Are There? 

Facelift terminology can be confusing. Some terms you may have heard are J-lift, auralyft, or lifestyle lift, among others. In reality, there are as many variations on surgical facelift techniques as there are surgeons that perform them. However, facelifts generally fall into categories: traditional facelifts and short-incision, or short-scar, facelifts.

Extended Deep Plane Facelift or SMAS Facelift

Facelifts have evolved over the years as the procedure has gotten smarter and more effective. The simplest, and earliest, type of facelift is simply moving the skin back and redraping it for a smoother appearance. This original procedure still has value for some people with scarring (e.g. from acne).

The next level of sophistication is to lift a layer of tissue under the skin called the SMAS. The SMAS is a layer of connective tissue and muscle. By lifting and supporting the SMAS, a facelift lasts longer and is even more effective. Neck bands are improved by tightening the platysma muscles in the neck.

The most advanced type of facelifting now is a vertical facelift or extended deep plane facelift where we go deep to the SMAS layer and release tight tissue attachments which otherwise limit lifting the facial tissues. Fat under the platysma muscle in the neck is sculpted, and the muscles are repositioned for a youthful jawline without jowls or sagging. The extended deep plane facelift requires extensive knowledge of facial anatomy, and provides the longest lasting, most elegant results. Our surgeons are recognized as experts in each type of facelift. Trust The Spiegel Center to help you choose the right facelift for you. We'll get the real you back into the mirror.

What Are Short Scar Facelifts? 

Short scar or short incision facelifts include mini-lifts, weekend lifts, upper face lifts, neck lifts, and ponytail effect lifts. These are less extensive facelifts, typically only focusing on one part of the face. Some people only have one area that bothers them; for example, you may only want to correct your upper cheeks or your neck, because the rest of your face looks great. A great benefit of short scar facelifts is that they require much less recovery time than a regular facelift in Boston

The Ponytail Effect 

Are you happy with the way your face looks, but just want just a bit of a lift? Do you like how your face appears with a tight ponytail - just somewhat tightened? The Spiegel Center doctors can adjust your face to give you a refreshed natural boost with just a few sutures hidden in the hair above your ears in what’s known as a ponytail effect lift. There are no incisions in front of the ears at all. This simple procedure gives the right patient a fresh, youthful look with minimal downtime. Many patients go back to light activity the next day.

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Non-Surgical Facelifts

There are also non-surgical facelifts where energy treatments are used to tighten the skin. Imagine you have a sweater that’s too loose. You can bring it to the tailor and get it altered (surgery), or you can put it in the laundry dryer to shrink it (non-surgical facelift). For some people, the Embrace procedure (NeckTite, FaceTite, and Morpheus 8) is a great alternative to a surgical facelift. At The Spiegel Center, we have experience in all types of facelifts, an impeccable safety record, and decades of great results.

Liquid Facelift

Are you interested in facial rejuvenation but not sure if you want to make a permanent change? A liquid facelift could be a great option. Our non-surgical facial rejuvenation team of experts, led by Dr. Onir, skillfully utilizes injectable dermal fillers and neuromodulators like BOTOX®  to restore you to a contoured, wrinkle-free, and more youthful look.

Liquid facial rejuvenation lasts for 9-12 months for most patients, though individual results vary. Liquid facelifts are outpatient procedures, and when done by a top injector like those at The Spiegel Center, results look completely natural. Downtime is minimal, and patients can expect to be back to their normal routines in a day or two.

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What is the Cost of a Facelift? 

Several factors go into determining the cost of a facelift at The Spiegel Center. These include the type of procedure performed, the techniques used, and whether or not your facelift is combined with other rejuvenation procedures. During your consultation with one of our surgeons, a patient care coordinator will walk you through the details of your investment and all of the pricing. They will also discuss payment options. 

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Facelift FAQ

How do I know if a facelift is right for me?

How long does facelift surgery take?

Will there be noticeable scars on my face after my facelift?

Is a facelift painful?

When can I return to work?

Can a facelift improve my skin texture and quality?

How does a facelift differ for men vs. women?

Is there an ideal age to undergo a facelift?

How long will my results last?

How do I know if a facelift is right for me?

The best way to know if a facelift in Boston is the right for you is to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, your surgeon will listen to your aesthetic concerns and goals. Your surgeon will also examine your face in detail to determine if a facelift will help you achieve the look you desire.

How long does facelift surgery take?

The procedure length varies based on the extent of the work required and type of facelift done. On average, it takes around two to four hours to perform a SMAS facelift. Deep plane facelifts may take more time, while short scar facelifts may take less.

Will there be noticeable scars on my face after my facelift?

One of the highest priorities is to provide results that look as natural as possible. While a facelift does require incisions, our surgeons use extreme precision and choose specific areas where scars will be very well concealed once fully healed. It’s a very good trade. You lose years of age for a few well-hidden lines.

Is a facelift painful?

After your facelift, you may experience a feeling of tightness and some discomfort around the incision sites. In general, recovery from a facelift is well tolerated and the discomfort is easily managed. At The Spiegel Center, we make sure you have access to medications to keep you comfortable.

When can I return to work?

During recovery, you will experience bruising and swelling. This can make some people feel uncomfortable with going out in public. The majority of the swelling and bruising should subside in around 10 days. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and public appearances after about 2 weeks.

Can a facelift improve my skin texture and quality?

A facelift primarily addresses sagging and loose skin along with repositioning underlying tissues for a more youthful contour. However, it does not directly improve skin texture. For enhancing skin quality, treatments such as chemical peels, laser resurfacing, or microneedling can be recommended in conjunction with a facelift.

How does a facelift differ for men vs. women?

Facelifts for men are tailored to preserve masculine features, such as stronger jawlines and chin, while softening wrinkles and sagging. The incisions are also placed to accommodate beard growth. For women, the focus is more on smoothing the skin and restoring a youthful contour with a focus on the cheeks and jawline.

Is there an ideal age to undergo a facelift?

There is no "ideal" age for a facelift. The timing depends more on individual needs and the degree of visible aging. Patients typically range from their 40s to 70s. A consultation with a plastic surgeon can help determine the appropriate time based on your skin condition, elasticity, and cosmetic goals.

How long will my results last?

A facelift will rejuvenate your appearance and give your face and neck a smoother, tighter, and more youthful look, but your face will continue to age naturally. With proper and consistent skin care and maintenance, your results can continue to look great for years to come. The expert team of physicians at The Spiegel Center advises patients that beauty is a life-long process, not a one time event.

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Contact Us Today

At The Spiegel Center, we prioritize providing you with the best possible care and great-looking results. The top-tier physicians at The Spiegel Center can help restore youthful beauty to your face. Our team is here to help you feel confident and proud of your new appearance. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

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