SF Bay Area FaceLift

We all age in three ways. Our skin begins to show surface changes like sunspots, we experience volume loss, and we can also lose elasticity in our skin. The rate at which these occur will depend on your genetics and the degree of environmental exposure, such as sun exposure and smoking.

A facelift can help reverse these signs of aging and give you a dramatically more youthful appearance.

A facelift is a type of cosmetic surgery that can help to reverse signs of aging on the face. The procedure involves lifting and tightening the skin and repositioning the underlying fat and muscle.

The word “facelift” can make some people nervous. They want to know more about the procedure but are afraid of how other surgeons performed it in the past. The older techniques often focused on pulling the skin only regardless of the individual’s features, while the newer methods focus on rejuvenating each patient’s unique facial features.

A neck lift is performed in conjunction with your facelift for optimal anti-aging results.

There are many techniques for rejuvenating the face. Each procedure can be customized based on the location of the incision and how the face’s deeper layers (SMAS- superficial muscular aponeurotic system) will be lifted. 

Dr. Rankin typically makes an incision hidden along the sideburn, which starts on the edge of the ear and wraps behind it. Often, the muscles only need to be repositioned, as there is not usually too much excess skin. Dr. Rankin typically uses a “High SMAS” technique with his facelifts, though each patient may have unique requirements. A “deep necklift” is performed at the same time in order to ensure durable results for a beautiful neck line. He moves the deeper layers of the face into a more youthful position without causing any distortion of the mouth or muscles that make facial expressions.

Achieving a natural rejuvenation requires that all areas of the face appear to be the same age. Many patients benefit from having complimenting procedures such as fat grafting, an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), brow lift, or laser resurfacing with their facelift to create a natural appearance. 

The human eye is incredibly sensitive to small changes in the face. At NorCal Plastic Surgery, serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Marin County, we can ensure that there will be no incongruencies in your appearance. While you may decide to share the details of your procedure, no one should be able to tell that any surgical procedure has occurred.

Typically, the downtime for recovering from a facelift is two weeks. There should be minimal discomfort, as Dr. Rankin uses a long-acting local anesthetic to improve overall recovery time. You can choose an outpatient or inpatient surgery for your facelift, which will be performed at one of our surgical centers in Greenbrae or Walnut Creek. With either option, you will be sent home with minimal facial dressings to promote healing. 

There will be some bruising and swelling after your facelift, but this generally subsides over two weeks. If you are planning a big event, we advise that you have your facelift no less than twelve weeks beforehand.

You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you feel that the image in the mirror no longer matches your energy or how you feel. You should have noticeable signs of aging, such as sagging jowls, skin laxity, or wrinkles. While some signs of aging can be addressed without having surgery, a facelift can help correct them long-term and give you a more youthful appearance for the next 10-20 years. 

Ideal candidates should have realistic expectations and goals for a facelift. Being a nonsmoker is also ideal because nicotine can be very dangerous during the healing process.

How much a facelift can cost will depend on your surgeon, your location, and if you have any complementary procedures. The cost can also be affected by other fees, such as the anesthesiologist’s fees. The average price of a facelift is $23,000 – $32,000. During your initial consultation, we will provide you with the total cost of your facelift.


Facelift Before & After Videos

Discover Our
Before & After Gallery

You can view NorCal Plastic Surgery’s before and after photo gallery to see the remarkable results achieved by Dr. Rankin and our team of skin care experts and aestheticians. Click to see more real patient photos.

Facelift Before and After Greenbrae
Individual results may vary

Take the Next Step

Want to learn more about how FaceLift can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with NorCal Plastic Surgery by calling our East Bay location at (925) 856-4800 or our North Bay location at 415-727-9666, or by filling out the consultation request form below. 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.