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Facelift

Facelift

Facelift, or Rhytidectomy, is a comprehensive procedure used to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck including: facial wrinkles, sagging facial skin, jowls, marionette lines and loose neck skin, or double chin.  A facelift is accomplished by tightening underlying tissues and muscle, repositioning facial fat, and removing and redraping excess skin.   Facelift incisions are camouflaged by placing them within the hairline above the ear, within the natural crease in front of the ear, around the earlobe, behind the ear and along the scalp.  

Nonsurgical face lifts or facial rejuvenation cannot achieve the same results as a facelift, but may help delay the time at which a facelift is needed. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Capuano is a facelift and mini facelift expert located in NJ. 

Next Step: Click here Facelift FAQs

Is Facelift Surgery Right For Me?

The best facelift candidates for facelift surgery are otherwise healthy adults, who are nonsmokers and who feel that their facial appearance does not reflect the way they feel inside.  Your facelift surgeon in NJ can help determine if a facelift or mini facelift is right for you.  After careful examination of your facial anatomy and skin quality, and consideration of your individual goals, Dr. Capuano will recommend or not recommend a facelift or mini facelift nj. 

Facelift surgery is optimized by also improving the health and texture of your skin through combined treatment with a non-surgical face lift or facial rejuvenation therapies including skin care systems, injectable fillers, toxin therapy, and laser resurfacing. All of these facelift, mini facelift nj, and non-surgical therapies are offered by Dr. Capuano in NJ.

Ask the Doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the length of facelift surgery?

The facelift takes between 3.5 to 5 hours depending on the patient’s anatomy.  The facelift is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia.  An overnight stay in NJ will depend on individual medical condition and extent of facelift surgery.

For more in-depth answers about facelift surgery, contact NCPS and schedule a consult!  We also perform mini facelift nj procedures which take less time.

What is the expected recovery time for a facelift in New Jersey?

Most NJ facelift patients are able to return to work within about 2 weeks.  You may begin light exercise 2 weeks after your facelift, while 6 weeks is required, before returning to strenuous activity or lifting.  Bruising may be present for up to 3 weeks after your facelift.  Facelift patients are instructed to protect themselves from direct sun exposure for 1 year, and to wear sunscreen.  Silicone therapy is used in conjunction with facelift aftercare to improve the appearance of facelift scars.  Small drains are left in place following facelift NJ surgery and are removed on postoperative day one.  The final result of your facelift may not be apparent until 6 months post operatively.

For more in-depth answers about facelift surgery, contact NCPS and schedule a consult!  Contact us for info about mini facelift nj procedures as well!

What are the common side effects of a facelift?

A facelift may cause bruising, swelling, changes in hair position (may require laser treatment), temporary numbness or weakness, and a sensation of facial tightness. 

For more in-depth answers about facelift NJ surgery, contact NCPS and schedule a consult!  Our double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Capuano also performs mini facelift procedures in NJ. 

What surgical risks are there for a facelift?

Facelift Risks include bleeding, infection, hematoma, seroma, changes in skin sensation, scarring, damage to underlying structures, injury to nerves that control facial muscles, asymmetry, loss of facial skin, unsatisfactory results requiring additional facelift surgery.

NJ Facelift surgeon Dr. Capuano consistently achieves excellent results with facelifts.  He is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and he would be happy to discuss your facelift options if you are thinking about surgical or non-surgical facial rejuvenation in NJ.

For more in-depth answers about facelift NJ surgery, contact NCPS and schedule a consult!

How do I make an appointment for a facelift NJ consultation?

Contact the office of the Northern Center for Plastic Surgery at (201)820-5280 to schedule an appointment to discuss more in-depth answers about facelift NJ surgery. 

What is a quick lift or mini facelift?

A quick lift is a registered trademark owned by a company, as it appears, and---it appears that they are just making an incision around the ear and then threading a barbed suture through the smas layer of the face to lift the jowls and nasal labial folds and jawline with a simple skin excision around the ear.  This differs from a traditional facelift in that a traditional facelift, the skin is separated from the smas and moved in a different direction depending on patients’ needs.  If this dissection is not made everything moves as one unit which does not satisfy the needs of an aging face.

How long does a mini facelift last?

The results vary, they can be as short as a year, depends on who is describing and conducting the mini facelift, the term mini facelift has been adapted from about ten years ago when a true mini facelift could last up to ten years, however, in the traditional sense of the term, it is a terrible incision behind the ear and the ultimate result is limited. Ultimately, we would not recommend them as precision and perfection is our ultimate goal.

How much is a mini facelift at your NJ office?

A mini facelift is $4000-$6000

I have pain in the back of my one ears 13 days post "mid" facelift, any advice?

Thank you for the question.  The sensation of pain and tightness behind the ears following facelift surgery is common and can often vary from side to side.  This is especially true if the skin separates slightly, or becomes pink to red in color, as it can start to feel raw like an abrasion.  It is important to follow up with your surgeon regularly until your symptoms improve.  In my experience, topical bacitracin a few times per day can help as well.  If the sensation of burning or redness increases, you should be evaluated by your surgeon as soon as possible.  I would avoid massage at this time, as it could increase the slight separation of the skin at the incision and worsen your symptoms.   Gentle massage can usually safely begin when you reach 4-6 weeks or skin edges have completely healed.  Good luck. 

Post lower facelift. chin liposuction. How can I reduce swelling under the eyes?

Thank you for the question.  Swelling is part of the post surgical recovery, and while it it is sometimes unavoidable, wearing your post surgical pressure garment and keeping your head elevated 15-30 degrees while sleeping are great measures to help alleviate this concern, your surgeon may also recommend an antihistamine and NSAID to help alleviate the swelling.  I recommend checking with your surgeon to see what he/she recommends. 

I am 26, I feel like my face is sagging, do I need a facelift?

Thank you for the question.  My short and long answer based on your photos, which are limited, is No. You do not need a Facelift.  Your pictures reflect no anatomical need for surgical intervention.  I would recommend consulting in person with Dr. Capuano who specializes in facial plastic surgery and can determine how non or minimally invasive measures could help you satisfy some concerns you may have.  Alternatively, if you have been told by someone that a Facelift is appropriate for you, please move on to another surgeon and make sure that he/she is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Also keep in mind the average age for a face lift is 60 years old, there is time and other alternatives on your side.  I hope this helps.

Ear plugs after lower facelift? Is it safe once the sutures are out?

Hi there, thank you for this great question.  Using earplugs post lower face/neck lift would not be an issue as long as it does not interfere with the sutures that your surgeon placed. If sutures were placed in the retrotragal space (behind the tragus) within the ear or close to it, earplugs would not be a good alternative at this point and your surgeon may recommend waiting for this reason. I recommend checking with your surgeon as he/she would be the best to answer this question, especially if you are not sure where all of the suture material has been placed.  Your surgeon may alternatively provide you with a different sleep aide as sleep is very important to your recovery.  I hope this answer helps and that you recover quickly. 

How long does a facelift usually take?

A standard Facelift usually takes between 3-4 hours and sometimes longer if it is a revisional facelift and/or autologous fat injections being administered.  One of the more important things to accomplish as a surgeon is achieving balance and harmony between your face and neck, addressing one area without the other can often lead to inferior results, the surgical time is not something I would focus my attention on as much as techniques and ability. I recommend consulting with Dr. Capuano who is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery. During your consultation, he will provide you with specific information which will help determine any additional procedures or surgery time that will benefit your results. 

What is the typical age of a facelift candidate?

The average age of a facelift candidate is roughly 60 years old. 

I am looking to refresh a "mini-facelift" I had 9 years ago, what are the best alternatives for doing so?

There are several possibilities for refreshing a mini facelift, the option that sounds right for you depends on whether you have skin laxity, loss of subcutaneous fat or laxity of the fascia.  If your skin looks like it is already over pulled then fat grafting can often improve this look but sometimes you need to have the skin re-positioned because it has been pulled too far superiorly (i.e., windswept). You may also consider laser procedures and chemical peels and these can be used in conjunction with fat grafting.  A thorough evaluation by Dr. Capuano is necessary to properly evaluate you prior to a procedure.

When should I color my hair before my facelift?

This is s a great question and one we hear often.  The best time to color your hair is one week before your facelift.  As you will not be able to have your hair colored for between 4-6 weeks post facelift.