Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Although consistent sun protection and non-surgical treatments can go a long way toward keeping your skin youthful, signs of aging usually reach a point where they cannot be addressed with these methods. Sagging skin, drooping jowls, and lines and wrinkles can be corrected with a facelift, a surgical procedure that restores your features to their lifted, rejuvenated state and smooths away wrinkles. 

*Individual Results May Vary

What is a Facelift or Rhytidectomy?

Rhytidectomy is literally “winkle surgery,” but a facelift treats much more than just wrinkles. One of the primary targets for a facelift is skin laxity, especially around the lower face, jawline, and neck. A facelift can be performed alone, but Dr. Rankin and his team at NorCal Plastic Surgery often combine it with a neck lift to help people see their desired results. This procedure is the most effective way to undo signs of aging around your mid to lower face and neck area. 

Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

To determine whether rhytidectomy is recommended for you, Dr. Rankin will meet with you for a consultation to examine your features and discuss your goals and concerns. Factors that determine whether you are a candidate include:

• Are you in good health, with no issues that would affect your surgery or recovery?
• Do you have reasonable expectations about what a facelift can accomplish?
• Are you bothered by moderate to severe signs of aging, such as sagging skin?
• Do you have time to rest and recover properly after your procedure?

Most healthy adults can enjoy the benefits of a facelift. Men and women choose this procedure. Because some people show signs of aging earlier than others, facelift candidates may be as young as their late 40s, although most individuals are in their late 50s to 60s. You can have a facelift at almost any age as long as you are healthy enough and the procedure can provide your desired results. 

What is Recovery Like After a Facelift?

Dr. Rankin uses a long-acting local anesthetic that minimizes your discomfort in the days after your facelift. Swelling and bruising start to improve after the first week and have mostly faded by two weeks. Most people return to work after this time, although strenuous activities will be limited for several more weeks. 

How Long Does a Facelift Last?

A facelift can dramatically reverse signs of aging, and your results are long-lasting. However, the procedure does not stop the aging process. While you will always look more youthful than you would have without a facelift, you will continue to see gradual changes. One of the most effective ways to prolong your results is the use of non-surgical treatments such as lasers, chemical peels, and injectables such as Botox®. 

Next Step

If you are interested in a facelift, please reach out to our qualified staff to schedule a consultation at one of our convenient locations in Walnut Creek and Tiburon. Give us a call at (925) 397-5486 or fill out our online form. Helping you achieve your cosmetic goals is an honor and a privilege at NorCal Plastic Surgery, proudly serving the East Bay, Marin County, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We look forward to hearing from you.