What is a Facelift?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as facial sagging, deep creases below the lower eyelids, deep creases extending from the nose to the corner of the mouth, loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw that give the appearance of a double chin.

Facelift surgery may sometimes be combined with eyelid surgery or a brow lift to enhance results. Dr. Falcon’s Natrona Heights practice is the best surgeon for a facelift in the Leechburg and Aspinwall area

Who is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Facelift candidates generally see sagging skin and wrinkles primarily in the mid-to-lower face. This can include poor definition at the jawline, nasolabial folds, and wrinkles near the under-eye area. A facelift does not necessarily address signs of aging near the brows or forehead but can be combined with other procedures for more complete facial rejuvenation.

In addition, you should be generally healthy overall before undergoing a facelift. It is best that you are a non-smoker or quit smoking in advance of your facelift, because nicotine slows the healing process. Finally, you should have realistic expectations of what the procedure can achieve and how long your results will last. Dr. Falcon can explain these details during a consultation and will review your health history and concerns to determine whether a facelift is the best option for you.

“I had minimal scarring on face after surgery, I was very pleased with my results.”

-Sarah J

What is Facelift Recovery Like?

After your facelift surgery, you will need to have a family member or close friend who can drive you home and care for you following the procedure. You will have bandages and dressings over any incisions and will likely wear a compression garment on your face to reduce swelling. For some patients, drains are also used to address swelling. You will likely feel some discomfort, but pain medication can be taken as prescribed by Dr. Falcon to keep you comfortable. Most patients need at least two weeks after their facelift to rest and recover at home before they are ready to return to work or other daily routines. Following this period, you should wait about 4-6 weeks after your surgery before resuming any strenuous activity including exercise routines. During post-op appointments, Dr. Falcon will advise when it is safe to do so.

After your facelift, it is important to take care of your skin to maintain your results. This includes wearing SPF daily and using high-quality skincare products, ensuring that you are moisturizing daily. On average, patients can enjoy their facelift results for 10 years or more. Eventually, the natural aging process will gradually resume, but you will generally not see as severe aging signs as you once had before your facelift.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about facelifts and to find out if you are a suitable candidate, schedule a consultation with Dr. Falcon. Call our office at (724) 226-3900 or contact us online. Falcon Plastic Surgery’s Monroeville Office is conveniently located 11 miles from Delmont and 16 miles from Greensburg.

Does a facelift make you look younger?

Yes, although results will differ by patient, many people who undergo a full facelift and/or other facial surgeries look up to 10 years younger.

How can I tighten loose skin on my face?

Early signs of loose or thinning skin can be helped with injectable formulas to help plump the areas of volume loss or sagging, but later degrees of sagging can only be addressed by surgically removing excess skin.

How do I prepare for a facelift?

Avoid taking blood-thinning medications for up to a week before and after surgery, according to your doctor’s directions. You’ll need to fast for 12 or more hours when undergoing general anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist will be in contact with you regarding the steps immediately before surgery.

Who is a good candidate for a facelift?

People with moderate to severe skin laxity or excess skin on the lower face and jawline are the best candidates for a facelift alone; other symptoms such as a heavy brow or neck muscle protrusion will likely need complementary procedures.

How long is recovery from a facelift?

Most facelift patients are back to their normal routine within 2 weeks after their surgery. Some restrictions on strenuous activity might be enforced by your doctor for up to 6 weeks.

How do you reduce swelling after a facelift?

Keep your head elevated at all times (including sleep) and use ice packs as needed to keep swelling and discomfort at bay.

How do you take care of your face after a facelift?

Your doctor will provide detailed instructions on how to care for your incisions and facial tissues following the procedure. This typically includes keeping the incisions clean and dry and changing any bandages and drains as instructed.

Can you combine other procedures with a facelift?

Absolutely! We often recommend complementary procedures such as a neck lift or brow lift when the concerns a person has about their appearance go beyond the reach of a facelift. These can be performed at the same time as the facelift to minimize total recovery time.

When will I see full results after a facelift?

Most people see the vast majority of swelling and incision healing within 6 weeks of their procedure, but the results will continue to improve as the rest of the swelling goes down and your incisions fade even more, up to a year in some cases.

State-of-the art, on site surgical suite located in Natrona Heights, PA

Our suite is certified with the highest level of accreditation by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF).

Learn More

A Family-Owned Practice Built on Trust And Integrity

For more information on our natural approach to plastic surgery, please fill out the contact form or call our office.

Skip to content