Understanding the Different Facelift Procedure Used in Orange County

Facelift surgery is one of the most effective tools to turn back time and restore a more youthful look. A skilled Orange County plastic surgeon can use different techniques to address your facial concerns.

A facelift involves tightening and redraping the skin on your neck and upper face. It can be performed under general anesthesia at any of our locations in Orange County.

Abbreviated Facelift

A surgical facelift is designed to lift sagging facial skin and tighten the underlying muscles and tissues. The result is a fresh, natural look that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Facelift procedure in Orange County can be performed alone or combined with other cosmetic procedures such as a forehead lift, chin implant, blepharoplasty, and neck lift. The process is typically performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or outpatient surgical facility.

A candidate for a facelift has experienced noticeable signs of aging on the lower half of the face and jawline. Those who choose this procedure may have tried other nonsurgical treatments, such as injectables or dermal fillers, with little to no success in providing them with long-lasting improvements.

During a traditional facelift, surgeons first administer general anesthesia or intravenous sedation before making incision marks that hide within natural folds of the skin behind the ears or hairline and along the ear canal. Once the surgeon can access the underlying muscles and tissues, they can remove excess fat and tighten the remaining skin.

Depending on your desired results, a doctor can also recommend less-invasive options such as endoscopic or short-scar facelifts to promote a faster recovery with fewer side effects. These less-invasive procedures offer similar results to a traditional facelift but are usually less expensive and have shorter healing times.

Mini Facelift

Mini facelifts are a great choice for those who wish to reduce the early signs of aging, like loose skin on the chin or jawline. The procedure is cheaper and has a shorter recovery than a full facelift. Your surgeon will cover the small incisions with sutures. After the surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, and edema. As your body heals, these symptoms will fade.

Your surgeon will make small incisions behind the ears and hairline under local anesthesia. The surgeon will lift the muscle tissue beneath the skin, tightening and reducing the sagging. The excess skin is removed, and the incisions are closed with sutures.

The surgeon usually recommends that the patient take time away from work or other activities to subside the swelling and bruising. Some doctors may advise against high-intensity exercises that can impede recovery.

A mini-facelift with a deep plane can produce natural-looking, long-lasting results. This procedure is best for patients with mild sagging in the cheeks, jawline, and neck. A private consultation in their Orange County office will help the surgeon determine if it is right for you.

Mid-Facelift

A full facelift can be used to address facial aging problems. It can treat loose skin on the neck and chin and deep wrinkles and lines between the eyes and the eyebrows (nasolabial folds). It can also eliminate excess fat and lift the jowls. This procedure is usually combined with a Neck Lift and can be done under general anesthesia.

The mid-facelift can be performed either openly or endoscopically. It lifts the malar pads on the upper cheeks, restoring a youthful appearance. This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. It involves small incisions hidden in the hairline and the skin folds on either side of the ear.

The fat and tissues are lifted, and the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures, so they should be completely unnoticeable once healed.

Candidates for a mid-facelift typically have explored nonsurgical facial aging solutions like dermal fillers and injectables. Still, they are ready to take things to the next level with a surgical procedure. If you want to learn more about this type of facial surgery, contact us to schedule a consultation with a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon.

Full Facelift

Aging is a natural part of life, but over time, the skin on your face may sag and lose its elasticity. These aging signs can make you look older and tired than you feel, so many Orange County residents turn to facelift surgery as a way to restore their youthful appearance.

The most comprehensive of all facelift procedures, a full facelift can address sagging skin in the temples, cheeks, chin, neck, and jawline to rejuvenate your entire facial appearance. A full facelift will also tighten your facial muscles and underlying tissue for an overall smoother, younger-looking appearance.

Incisions for a full facelift will typically be made in the natural folds around your hairline or ear and the skin crease below your chin. The surgeon will then separate your facial skin from the muscle and deep tissues below it, remove excess skin, and re-drape your remaining face skin for a firm, refreshed appearance. The incisions are then closed with sutures.

A full facelift will often be combined with a neck lift, as the sagging skin of your neck can contribute to a tired or aged appearance. A neck lift involves tightening the Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS), which can help pull the loose skin of your face back into place for a more youthful look.

When considering a facelift, choosing a plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial rejuvenation and a well-rounded understanding of the entire face and neck area is important. Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, an experienced facial plastic surgeon, has extensive knowledge of the full facelift procedure and can tailor it to meet your unique goals.