Rediscover Youthful Beauty with Expert Facelift Solutions
Facelift
PREMIER PLASTIC SURGERY IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Timeless Transformation: The Facelift Experience
A facelift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, tightens, and lifts sagging cheeks, jowls, and the neck area. Chicago residents who have experienced these signs of facial aging can benefit from a rejuvenating facelift.
Many techniques are performed, and they all have advantages and disadvantages. Some provide a longer-lasting result, some are better for the fuller face, and others are better for the thinner face. Recovery also differs.
Dr. Michael J. Lee performs various types of facelifts to help address and improve different kinds of faces. These techniques include the Deep Plane Facelift, the Short Scar Facelift, and the SMAS Plication Facelift.
Please ask Dr. Lee about the different procedures and which procedure will be best for you.
Types of Facelift Procedures Available
Multiple facelift procedures are available to address different signs of facial aging. The choice of technique is tailored to your unique anatomy and objectives. The main types include:
Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane facelift involves releasing and repositioning the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer away from the underlying facial muscles. This method allows for lifting sagging tissues from deeper planes of the face, significantly improving cheek and neck areas. Some patients may notice increased volume in the midface as a result.
The deep plane facelift is considered for individuals with substantial sagging who desire longer-lasting correction. However, the procedure generally requires a longer recovery and carries a slightly higher risk of affecting facial nerves and deeper tissues.
SMAS Plication Facelift
The SMAS plication facelift addresses facial aging by tightening the existing SMAS layer without separating it from the underlying muscles. Through suturing and folding techniques, the SMAS is repositioned to enhance the definition of the jawline and reduce jowls.
Recovery is often quicker than with the deep plane method, and the risk to deeper tissue structures is lower. This approach may produce less volume enhancement in the cheeks and, in some cases, may not last as long as a deep plane facelift.
Short Scar (Mini) Facelift
The short scar, or mini facelift, employs a limited incision that typically extends from the sideburn to the front of the ear, ending at the earlobe. It avoids a longer incision behind the ear. This method is suitable for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity and offers a less extensive approach for earlier signs of facial aging.
Facelift for Men
Male facelift procedures consider differences such as hair pattern and skin thickness. Incision design may be altered to preserve a natural hairline and address the higher vascularity of male facial tissues. Aside from these considerations, the essential surgical principles remain the same.
Non-Surgical Facelift Options
Minimally invasive treatments, sometimes called “lunchtime facelifts” or “liquid facelifts,” use injectables or devices to address volume loss or surface contour irregularities.
A liquid facelift may employ dermal fillers such as Restylane®, Juvederm®, or Radiesse® to smooth depressions and restore mild lost volume. These procedures do not reposition deeper tissues or remove excess skin; results are typically temporary.
Secondary (Repeat) Facelift
A secondary, or repeat, facelift is performed following previous facelift surgery, sometimes after as little as one year. The approach may require detailed planning to avoid changes in the hairline and may incorporate fat grafting to support facial volume and improve skin texture.
Ideal Candidates for a Facelift
Dr. Lee can provide a wide variety of surgical and non-surgical techniques. These are customized techniques for individual faces and expectations, emphasizing natural results and hidden scars.
Contrary to popular opinion, age is not the most important criterion. Premature aging and changes in the jowl area or neck can occur in the mid-thirties in some patients, or not until the seventies for others.
General good medical health, reasonable expectations, and visible physical deformities are the most essential criteria for Dr. Lee. To help develop realistic expectations, patients are encouraged to view facelift before and after photos before their consultation.
Smokers are at particularly higher risk for infection, scarring, and wound problems, and should quit smoking at least three weeks before and three weeks after the procedure. Techniques are modified to help decrease the risk of infection, scarring, and wound complications.
Recovery Process after a Facelift
Most patients have minimal to moderate swelling in the cheeks and may have areas of slight bruising in the neck. They also feel tightness in the face and neck. Pain is rarely a problem; most take pain medication for only a few days.
These symptoms improve within 7-10 days, although some may have swelling that lasts up to two weeks. Patients can wear makeup or concealer on their incisions within ten days.
After surgery, patients sleep with two pillows to elevate the head for 5-7 days and are restricted from heavy lifting or exercise for two to three weeks, depending on how quickly each patient heals.
Although the speed of recovery depends on the type of facelift, you can expect to feel and look your best around three weeks after surgery.
Cost of a Facelift in Chicago
The exact price of your facelift procedure will depend on the details of your case. Facelift cost varies and is impacted by the techniques utilized, the anesthesia chosen, and the amount of time the surgical session takes, among other factors.
Why Choose Michael J. Lee, MD
Michael J. Lee, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago who brings more than 20 years of dedicated experience in facial cosmetic surgery to patients in Chicago, Winnetka, Glencoe, and the North Shore. His practice is distinguished by rigorous attention to detail, a commitment to individualized patient care, and an evidence-based approach to surgical planning.
Every aspect of Dr. Lee’s care prioritizes privacy, safety, and precise results. Each treatment plan is tailored to individual anatomy and expectations, aiming for natural, long-lasting physical improvement. This practice is committed to ongoing patient education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and using the most up-to-date surgical and non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation.
FAQs About Facelift Surgery
Where are the incisions placed for a Facelift?
Incisions can be placed in the sideburn hair or slightly in front of the sideburn and travel in front of the ear, behind the ear, and into the hairline. Dr. Lee hides the incisions in slight folds of the skin and shadows of the face to “hide” the scars. Sometimes incisions must be placed underneath the chin to address loose muscle underneath the neck or liposuction of fat in the neck area. Dr. Lee will show you where your incisions will be during your consultation.
What are potential Facelift complications?
Complications from facelift surgery are rare. The most common complication is bleeding, which is most often treated the evening of the surgery or the next day in the office. Other risks include infection, skin healing problems, and scarring. Most of these complications can be treated with antibiotics and creams and often do not require further surgery.
One of the rarer complications is nerve injuries, which can temporarily weaken muscles of the face; permanent injuries to muscles of the face are even more rare.
How long do the results of a Facelift last?
Facelift procedures tend to last 10-15 years. Some people with heavy and full necks or jowls may have earlier recurrences and need a touch-up procedure within one to two years. Dr. Lee will perform a complete evaluation and let you know if you will likely have an earlier recurrence.
Can a facelift be combined with other facial procedures?
Yes, a facelift can be performed alongside other facial rejuvenation procedures such as eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), brow lift, neck lift, or non-surgical treatments. Combining procedures can address multiple aging concerns at once and may offer a more balanced result.
Schedule a Facelift Consultation
Book a consultation with Dr. Michael J. Lee to discuss your facial concerns and the most appropriate facelift options for your needs. Contact our office today to reserve your appointment and learn how a tailored surgical or non-surgical facelift can address specific signs of facial aging with measurable, physical improvements.
