In time, gravity, sun exposure, and the stresses of daily life take their toll on our faces: deep creases appear beside the mouth, the jaw line slackens, and folds and fat deposits appear on the neck. Facelifts counteract these problems by removing fat and tightening skin and muscles, giving your face a fresher, youthful look. After surgery, some patients appear 10-15 years younger!

Facelift in Pasadena, Los Angeles at Beauty by Dr. Kay

Dr. Kay’s many years of ENT and surgical experience have aptly prepared her to perform this procedure, as she is an expert on the anatomy of the neck and face. Please be aware that this is an advanced procedure, as the face and neck contain complex vasculature so please do not see an inexperienced injector for this. Come see Dr. Kay instead! Her patient satisfaction and beautiful results are reflected in her high reviews and real patient outcomes, illustrating why she is one of the top choices for surgical facelift in the Los Angeles area. 

What is a Facelift? 

A facelift, or a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure in which underlying muscles and tissues of the face are tightened and excess skin/fat is removed, giving your face and neck a slimmer, smoother, and more youthful appearance. This is the most effective way to address deep wrinkles and excessively sagging skin. A facelift can be combined with a browlift, eyelid surgery or nasal reshaping for more dramatic results, or it can be restricted to the neck (neck lift) if that is the primary concern for the patient. Incisions are made in very inconspicuous places, such as behind the hairline and in natural folds of the face and ears, and scars fade to near invisibility in time. Results of a facelift do not last forever but allow patients to continue to look younger than they would without surgery for quite some time after.

Procedure

This procedure is performed in one of our outpatient surgery centers. Anesthesia and sedation are used to ensure no pain is felt during the procedure. Once the patient is unconscious, Dr. Kay lifts the skin, removes fat, tightens muscles, trims excess skin and then stitches the incisions closed. The actual surgery can last between 1-4 hours, in addition to the time you need to recover from the anesthesia. While a facelift is a fairly major procedure, we take great care of our patients and help them achieve the least amount of discomfort and pain.

Am I a good candidate? 

Generally, if you are a healthy non-smoker with no underlying medical conditions, you are a fit candidate. Good candidates should have visual aging of the face (deep folds and wrinkles, sagging skin, and/or excess fat).

Is a Facelift safe?

A face lift is a safe procedure with minimal risk of serious complications when administered by an experienced and qualified plastic or dermatological surgeon. However, due to the extensive vasculature of this area, complications are possible and finding an experienced injector is key. Dr. Kay’s many years of surgery and ENT experience have aptly prepared her to perform this procedure, as her outstanding understanding of the anatomy of the neck will give you confidence in achieving beautiful, safe results.

Downtime, results, and follow-ups  

Generally, recovery takes about 2 weeks, with vigorous activities able to be continued after 4 weeks. However, recovery time differs between each individual and full results can take up to a year to see when swelling completely resolves. We recommend returning within 5 days for a follow-up to analyze the results and ensure you are healing properly. You should see tighter, lifted results for over 10 years, however the aging process will continue to affect the results.

How should I prepare for a Facelift?

Before coming in to receive your treatment, you should follow these pre-procedure instructions to minimize the risks of adverse reactions: 

• Avoid alcohol, as it may increase your risk of bruising 
• Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood-thinning medications 2 weeks in advance if possible, as these can increase your risk of swelling and bruising (Aspirin, Vitamin E, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, St. John’s Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, and other NSAIDs). 
• Avoid smoking
• Try to schedule appointment 4 weeks before special events, as swelling can take up to four weeks to significantly resolve. 
• Stay hydrated and eat well before your appointment. 

What should I do after receiving a Facelift?

It is important to follow these post-treatment instructions in order to maximize the results and avoid complications: 

• Avoid bending over and heavy lifting for first week.
• Leave bandages over area until doctor tells you to remove them
• Avoid sun and use high-SPF sunscreen
• Avoid saunas — minimal sweating recommended.
• Avoid salty foods and alcohol during first two weeks post-treatment.

Want to learn more?

If you want more information, contact us to book a consultation with Dr. Kay. 

Booking a consultation/appointment at Beauty by Dr. Kay

Call us today at 626-316-7033 to schedule an appointment or submit an inquiry here to find out more. Our team will be happy to answer any questions and help you book a consultation with one of our experienced cosmetic injector specialists!