Facelift
Customized Facial Rejuvenation in NYC
Skin loses elasticity as we age and this, along with factors such as genetics and sun exposure, can cause unwanted facial aging such as sagging skin, fine lines, deep wrinkles and creases, and jowls. A facelift, also called rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to correct these cosmetic concerns and restore a youthful appearance with long-lasting results.
Dr. David Cangello is highly sought after for facial plastic surgery in New York City, including custom-tailored facelift procedures. Dr. Cangello is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is known for delivering natural-looking results with his artistry and meticulous attention to detail. A facelift procedure with Dr. Cangello can restore definition by restructuring the deeper layers of tissue and muscle to revitalize the appearance of the face.
Benefits of Facelift Surgery
Potential benefits of this cosmetic surgery include:
- Tighten sagging facial skin
- Restore lost volume to the midface
- Treat jowls and add definition to the jawline
- Refresh overall facial appearance
- Improve confidence and self-esteem
- Can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as neck lift surgery, brow lift surgery, or eyelid surgery for comprehensive rejuvenation
Who is a Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?
Facelift surgery is an effective, long-term solution for people who want to reduce visible signs of facial aging. Ideal facelift candidates are in good health, have sufficient skin elasticity, do not smoke or use nicotine, and have realistic expectations.
People considering a facelift typically have the following cosmetic concerns:
- Deep creases and wrinkles on the face
- Skin laxity and loss of muscle tone
- Development of jowls
- Decreased definition due to sagging
- A tired appearance
How Does Facelift Surgery Work?
Preparing for Your Facelift Procedure
A consultation appointment with Dr. Cangello is the first step to looking your best. Dr. Cangello values strong relationships with his patients and he will help you feel comfortable so you can learn about your options and ask any questions you may have. During the consultation, Dr. Cangello will assess your aesthetic concerns and review your medical history to determine if you are a candidate. If a facelift procedure is right for you, he will provide you with detailed preoperative guidelines, which may include directions to discontinue certain medications or supplements prior to surgery.What Happens During Facelift Surgery?
Facelift surgery is typically an outpatient procedure performed with general anesthesia. The exact facelift techniques used will depend on your individual treatment plan. Dr. Cangello is highly experienced in a range of surgical approaches and he will discuss the details of your procedure with you prior to surgery. In most cases, small incisions will be made at the hairline and around the ears—places where they can be easily camouflaged after surgery. Then Dr. Cangello will then reposition the underlying tissues to restore a youthful look.Recovery After Facelift Surgery
After surgery, your patient coordinator will arrange for nursing care at your home or at a local hotel in Manhattan. You will have drainage tubes in place to prevent fluid accumulation under the skin and these will typically be removed at your follow-up appointment with Dr. Cangello the day after surgery. Sutures are usually removed 5 days after surgery. It is normal to experience mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness after surgery. Dr. Cangello will advise you on pain medication and provide detailed aftercare instructions to optimize your recovery. Recovery time will depend on the type of facelift procedure you have, ranging from a few days for a mini facelift to two weeks for a deep plane facelift.Types of Facelift Surgery
A mini facelift is ideal for patients who only have mild to moderate signs of aging and would prefer a less-invasive surgery. Instead of addressing the entire face, a mini facelift targets the lower face and reduces the appearance of jowls, excess skin, and creases. During the procedure, incisions are usually made along the front of the ears, near the tragus. From there, excess fat or tissue may be trimmed to enhance the contour of the face, and loose tissue is tightened.
Benefits of a mini facelift include1:
- Minimal scarring
- Restores a youthful appearance
- Shorter and less-invasive procedure
- Excellent option for younger patients with moderate aging
A SMAS facelift addresses the entire face and rejuvenates the facial features by treating the soft connective tissue that sits between the facial muscles, a layer that is called the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). During this procedure, incisions are typically made along the ear, extending down to the earlobe and along part of the hairline. However, this method can vary depending on the exact areas being treated. After the incisions are made, the underlying muscles are tightened and excess skin is removed. The tissue is then repositioned and sutured into place, resulting in a smooth, naturally sculpted appearance.
Benefits of a full facelift include:
- Produces a fully rejuvenated appearance
- Significant improvement of facial definition
- Great option for patients with severe signs of aging
- Scars can usually be hidden along the hairline
A deep plane facelift is a good option for patients who have severe signs of aging, such as deep folds and loose skin at multiple areas of the face. This type of facelift involves extended dissection beneath the SMAS for optimal positioning of the underlying facial structures. Learn more about deep plane facelift procedures.
Benefits of a deep plane facelift include:
- Comprehensive facial rejuvenation
- The facial tissues, muscle, and skin are preserved as one composite layer
- Scars are easily camouflaged
- This technique imparts minimal skin tension for natural-looking results
Dr. Cangello’s Approach to Facelift Surgery
Dr. Cangello takes an artistic and thorough approach to each procedure he performs. He will take time to listen to your concerns and goals and he will review your options to ensure that your surgical plan is right for you. His dedication to precision and personalized care allows him to deliver natural-looking results.
FAQs About Facelift Surgery
Facelift results are permanent, but a facelift does not prevent the aging process from happening. Patients typically enjoy the initial results of their facelift procedure for about 10 years, but even when you begin to notice newly visible signs of aging, you will still feel more youthful-looking than you would if you hadn’t had facelift surgery. A consistent and high-quality skin care routine can help preserve your results.
Most first-time facelift patients are in their 40s or 50s, but there is no ideal age for a facelift because the factors that contribute to aging will vary from patient to patient.
Facelift scars are typically minimal and well camouflaged. In the case of mini facelifts, the scar is tiny and is located along the natural curvature of the ear, which helps it blend in. For full facelifts, the scar is likewise hidden along natural borders of the facial contours, sometimes extending to the hairline where it is hardly noticeable.
Hairlines should shift minimally, if at all. With proper planning of the incisions, any shift that does occur should be negligible and not noticeable. The exception to this is when men have facelifts. Depending on where the incision is placed, hair-bearing skin (from the beard) can be shifted up onto the tragus of the ear. Dr. Cangello always discusses placement of the incisions with male facelift patients and the ramifications of how the hairline may change.
Non-surgical treatments, such as BOTOX, injectable dermal fillers, and laser skin resurfacing, are not a replacement for facelift surgery. However, they can address some signs of aging for patients who are not ready for a facelift.
Any surgical procedure carries some risk of side effects or complications. Possible risks of facelift surgery include changes in skin sensation, infection, and bleeding or hematoma.2 You can reduce your risk by choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, disclosing any medical conditions prior to surgery, and following all post-surgical instructions.
People considering facelift surgery are often concerned that they will end up with a tight or windswept appearance, but modern facelift techniques avoid placing tension on the skin the way that traditional facelift procedures did. Dr. Cangello has a reputation for delivering natural-looking results so patients look like a refreshed and rejuvenated version of themselves.
Contact Us
You deserve to look and feel your best. Contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Cangello today to learn more about your facelift options.
1 Imber G, Silich RC. Limited-incision face lift technique. Aesthet Surg J. 2001 May;21(3):216-26. doi: 10.1067/maj.2001.116244. PMID: 19331896.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Facelift Safety. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift/safety Accessed June 6, 2022