Facelift in Charlotte, NC
View GalleryRejuvenate Your Appearance with a Facelift in Charlotte
Our facelift in Charlotte is a surgical procedure that helps tighten the skin of the face and removes large creases and wrinkles that have formed around the nose and mouth. It helps improve the jaw line, to give the face a more youthful appearance. Generally, the neck is also treated during the same surgery, which helps give the patient a cohesive refreshed look. Our surgeons routinely add fat transfer during this procedure, as we believe this stem cell-rich addition bolsters the rejuvenation by restoring youthful volume.
While each patient’s results vary, the standard outcome will reduce years of aging with a facelift in Charlotte. The procedure is performed through an incision made in the hair line and near the ear to help conceal scars. The incisions are placed in the natural curves and lines of the scalp and face to camouflage their appearance. For men, the incision often follows the natural beard line and can be camouflaged by sideburns.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
Facelift surgery is performed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and the signs of aging to create a more youthful appearance of the face and jawline. It can be performed alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures, such as a neck lift or brow lift. The ideal candidate for this procedure should have:
- Good overall health: Patients should be healthy and able to safely undergo general anesthesia. We work closely with patients and their treating physicians to ensure patient safety and to facilitate the best result.
- Some degree of skin elasticity: A candidate for a facelift in Charlotte should have skin that has retained some flexibility, as the skin is tightened in the procedure to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The skin should be able to conform to the new, more youthful contours.
- Excess skin on the face or neck: A facelift is performed to remove excess skin from the face or neck, while simultaneously tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Excess, loose skin is removed in this procedure.
Reasons for a Facelift in Charlotte
A number of factors can contribute to the loss of youthful facial contours, including loss of facial fat volume, thinning of the skin, heredity, stress, sun damage, smoking, and gravity. A surgical facelift can help restore a more youthful appearance by improving visible signs of aging, such as:
- Jowls
- Excess fat of the neck (double chin)
- Loose skin of the neck (“turkey neck”)
- Sagging caused by skin laxity
- Loss of facial fat volume
- Fallen, droopy facial tissue or fat
Types of Facelifts
Technology has advanced in recent years in the area of cosmetic facial rejuvenation. Our board-certified plastic surgeons at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery have a number of treatment options and types of facelifts available to help our patients achieve a more youthful appearance. Popular facelift types include:
Traditional facelift
This procedure provides optimal correction and is often recommended for patients with moderate to significant aging. It involves incisions placed around the ears and into the hairline and a small incision under the chin. The muscles of the face and neck are tightened, and bands of muscle in the front of the neck are sutured together and divided to define the neckline and create smoother contours.
Excess fat is removed from the neck and jowls, and excess skin is removed both in front and behind the ears. This surgical technique provides dramatic, long-lasting results.
Mini-facelift
The mini facelift is a less invasive procedure that uses smaller incisions than the traditional facelift. These small incisions, placed under cover of the hairline, allow the surgeon to remove excess tissue, tighten the skin, and improve the appearance of the neck and jowls. It is a great treatment option for women and men who want to address the early signs of aging.
Mid facelift:
This is an effective technique for rejuvenating the midface and cheek area. The surgeon makes small incisions in the hairline above the ears, and in the mouth. This allows the surgeon to tighten the skin in the area and reposition pads of fat in the cheeks into the youthful position over the cheekbones.
Custom-Tailored Facelift Procedure
Other cosmetic procedures can be performed in conjunction with a facelift to enhance the outcome of the surgery, including:
- BOTOX
- Cheek augmentation with fat transfer
- Laser skin resurfacing to improve the texture and tone of the skin
- Dermal filler injections to reduce the appearance of wrinkles
Our skilled plastic surgeons at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery are recognized for their dedication to their patients, for having an artistic eye for beauty, and for the high quality of their work. When you meet with one of our surgeons in a consultation, we can tailor a facelift procedure to suit your individual needs.
Facelift Recovery and Care
Immediately following the procedure, the surgeon will apply bandages near the incision and provide instructions for aftercare. You should avoid excessive movement of the head and neck and keep the head elevated above the heart to reduce swelling. The surgeon will walk through all postoperative care instructions to help you heal properly and avoid future complications.
The experienced staff at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery in Charlotte, NC will take great care to ensure natural, long-lasting results. Dr. Bryan Criswell and Dr. Kara Criswell are both highly experienced plastic surgeons who are well-respected in the Charlotte area for their attention to detail and for producing high-quality, natural looking results. Schedule a consultation today for arguably the best facelift Charlotte, NC has to offer.
Facelift FAQ
Does a Facelift Leave Scars?
Any surgical procedure can leave incision lines, and a facelift is no exception. At Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery in Charlotte, NC we strategically place incisions to help conceal surgical scarring. In facelift surgery, incisions are placed in the natural lines and curves of the scalp and face, or following the natural beard line in men to be camouflaged by the sideburns, to carefully disguise surgical incisions lines.
Should I Wait to Have a Facelift If I Plant to Shed Some Pounds?
Losing a few pounds after facelift surgery will not make a noticeable difference in your results. On the other hand, if you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, you should wait to have a facelift in Charlotte, NC until after you have reached your weight-loss goal
Significant weight loss can cause loss of facial volume and loose facial skin. A facelift procedure performed after you shed the excess pounds can help correct these aesthetic flaws.
How Much Downtime Should I Expect after a Facelift?
Recovery and healing time after a facelift can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on the type and extent of facelift surgery. After a traditional facelift or a midface lift, most patients can return to work in approximately 10 to 14 days, while patients who undergo a mini-facelift may only have two or three days of downtime.
In the initial phase of recovery, get plenty of rest and avoid physical activity, with the exceptions of mild stretching and gentle walking. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least two weeks after surgery. Avoid wearing earrings, blow drying your hair, alcohol, and saunas as instructed by your surgeon.
Post-surgical swelling will subside within 10 days to two weeks. If you have a special occasion coming up, schedule your facelift surgery at least a month in advance.
Will There Be Pain with a Facelift?
Many patients are surprised at how little pain they experience with facelift surgery. As the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, you will sleep right through it. When you wake up from the anesthesia, you may feel slight soreness in the treatment area, at which time you may begin taking medications provided to manage your discomfort.
To reduce pain and discomfort during your recovery:
- Have someone there to help you during the first two days after surgery
- Elevate your head at all times, including while you are sleeping, to help reduce swelling and minimize discomfort.
- Use cold compresses to reduce swelling and provide relief from post-surgical discomfort.
- Fill your pain medication prescription before your surgical appointment. You won’t want to need to stop at a pharmacy when returning home after facelift surgery.
How Long Is a Facelift Procedure?
The time it takes to perform facelift surgery will depend on the type of facelift and the extent of the procedure. We individually tailor facelift surgery to each patient’s needs. While a mini-facelift or midface lift may be performed in two hours or less, a traditional facelift can take three or four hours, or longer when combined with other procedures.