In Tiburon & Walnut Creek
Facelift SF Bay Area
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. As one of the Bay Area's premier plastic surgeons, Dr. Timothy Rankin uses his skill to give you youthful, natural-looking results.
What is a Facelift?
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. Older techniques often focus on pulling the skin only, regardless of the individual's features, while 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.
Learn More About Facelifts
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 or a "Deep plane" approach with his facelifts, though each patient may have unique requirements. A "deep neck lift" is performed at the same time in order to ensure durable results for a beautiful neckline. 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 natural rejuvenation requires that all areas of the face appear to be the same age. Many patients benefit from having complementing procedures such as fat grafting, an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), a 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.
Every incision leaves a scar, but your surgeon's technique and skill play a major role in your final results. Dr. Rankin offers Bay Area residents advanced surgical techniques that make scars as small and inconspicuous as possible. We will also provide detailed instructions on how to care for your incisions to help scars fade more quickly.
Typically, the downtime for recovering from a facelift is one to 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, conveniently serving the entire Bay Area. 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 at least eight to 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 in the Bay Area is $26,000 – $49,000. During your initial consultation, we will provide you with the total cost of your facelift. For those that qualify, we offer different financing options to help you keep the monthly payment low and avoid interest.
Choosing the right surgeon for your facelift has a profound impact on your final results. Dr. Timothy Rankin is widely known as one of the Bay Area's most skilled plastic surgeons, and the NorCal Plastic Surgery team will ensure a safe, positive experience. People choose Dr. Rankin for their facelift because:
- Board-certified and trained in one of the world's most advanced plastic surgery programs
- An extensive history of superior results
- Conveniently located clinic and surgery center serving the San Francisco Bay Area
- Compassionate, person-centered care