Facelift
in Irvine, CA
Facelift surgery addresses sagging in the lower face and neck for a more refreshed appearance. Dr. Andrew Smith serves patients in Irvine and throughout Orange County, tailoring treatment to your facial anatomy and goals.
With Dr. Smith’s experience performing facial plastic surgery, you can expect realistic treatment suggestions focused on a natural yet beautiful appearance. To discuss your facelift options, book a consultation with Dr. Smith, or call our Irvine and Corona plastic surgery offices at (949)-653-7000.
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A facelift surgically reduces visible signs of aging in the face and neck. It goes beyond just tightening the skin—Dr. Smith also lifts and tightens the underlying muscles with the goal of long-lasting, natural-looking results. The procedure helps smooth out deep wrinkles, improve jowls, and create a more defined jawline. Incisions are carefully placed around the ears and within the hairline so they remain discreet and blend seamlessly with your natural contours. The goal? A rejuvenated look that doesn’t appear “overdone.”
At Andrew Smith MD FACS in Irvine facelifts are performed by Dr. Smith to enhance your appearance by tightening and lifting the deep tissues of the neck and face while smoothing out and re-positioning the skin. Ideal candidates for a facelift are men and women who have:
Dr. Smith will frequently combine eyelid surgery, laser resurfacing, fat grafting, or brow lift along with a facelift for Orange County patients looking for full facial rejuvenation.
A facelift focuses on sagging facial tissues; eyelid surgery addresses the eyelids, while a brow lift addresses a lowered brow. A neck lift may be considered when neck laxity is a particular concern. Dr. Smith can explain whether a facelift alone or a combined approach best matches your goals.
Wondering if a facelift is right for you? If you’ve noticed that your skin has started to sag or you’re dealing with deep lines around your mouth, a facelift could be the solution. Ideal candidates are typically healthy men and women who want to address:
Good candidates should have realistic expectations and be in good health, without medical conditions that impair healing. Dr. Smith will review your health history, smoking status, and goals to determine whether facelift surgery is appropriate for you.
A deep plane facelift is one type of facelift, rather than a separate procedure. Facelift techniques address both the skin and underlying support tissues, but differ in how those tissues are lifted and repositioned. A deep plane facelift releases selected retaining ligaments and repositions deeper tissues together. Dr. Smith will discuss which approach suits your anatomy and the degree of correction needed.
During a facelift, Irvine plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Smith will tighten the skin and the underlying muscles of the face and neck. The incisions are strategically placed in the natural creases in front of the ear on the rim of the tragus, hidden inside the hairline at the temple and behind the ear, ending in the hair of the scalp to hide any scarring.
The skin is separated from the tissue underneath, and lax muscles and connective tissues are lifted and tightened as needed. In some cases, fat is removed from the chin and neck through liposuction. The skin is re-draped for a smooth, natural appearance and secured with small, dissolvable sutures.
Some variations of the procedure use a smaller scar depending on the areas addressed as well as the amount of correction needed. These techniques are known by various names, including short-scar facelift and MACS-lift.
Results won’t appear overnight. You may notice improvement early on, but swelling can obscure your new contours for several weeks. Your refreshed look becomes clearer over the following months as healing progresses. Facelift results can last for years, although longevity varies with your skin, age, and lifestyle. Surgery does not stop the aging process. A good skincare routine, sun protection, and a healthy lifestyle can help maintain your results.
A common concern with facelifts is scarring. Dr. Smith understands that you want your results to look natural, which is why he takes great care in placing incisions where they’ll be least noticeable. Typically, incisions are hidden along the hairline and around the ears. As your incisions heal, scars generally fade over time, but they are permanent and their visibility varies. Dr. Smith will explain incision placement and scar care for your surgical plan.
Combining a facelift with CO2 laser treatment is a precise technique employed by professionals like Dr. Smith to maximize the effectiveness of facial rejuvenation. While this procedure primarily targets sagging facial tissues, it may not address concerns like fine lines and skin texture. CO2 laser treatment complements the facelift by focusing on skin resurfacing, collagen stimulation, and reducing aging signs. This dual approach offers a holistic solution, enhancing both structural and superficial aspects of facial aesthetics. Dr. Smith will discuss whether combining treatments is appropriate and how it may affect your recovery.
A procedure can easily knock off years from your face and help restore your youthful appearance – if done by an expert. The emphasis on trusting only an expert cannot be stressed enough, for the simple fact that your face is the first thing people notice about you. Even a small mistake can lead to results that look “plastic” and unnatural.
Dr. Smith is a leading plastic surgeon in Orange County with a rock-solid reputation for offering the best Facelift in Irvine. He is a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon with an in-depth understanding of the human facial anatomy and is a specialist in a wide range of advanced cosmetic and aesthetic treatment procedures and solutions.
While his expertise and mastery in plastic surgery are well known, patients who come to Dr. Smith also appreciate him and love him greatly for his human and compassionate approach. And they trust him 100% because they know they are in absolutely the best hands in Irvine.
“I cannot recommend this doctor enough! Not only do I look better than I did 20 years ago, I feel better!! I actually want to look in a mirror again. He is an amazing doctor with an equally wonderful staff. I should have done this years ago.”
Through the years, Dr. Smith has established a reputation for delivering the best results for each and every patient based on their individual goals and expectations. To experience the best Facelift Irvine patients can schedule a consultation online or call us at (949)-653-7000 so you can meet with Dr. Smith and find out if this is the right procedure for you.
You will leave the surgery center with dressings and bandages, which will be removed within a few days. Any non-dissolvable sutures will be removed in a week to 10 days, possibly in stages. You will be advised to protect yourself from the sun as you gradually heal from your surgery.
Swelling, bruising, and tightness are expected early in recovery. Many patients feel comfortable returning to social activities in about two weeks, though healing varies and some swelling can persist longer. Dr. Smith will give you individual guidance on returning to work, exercise, and other activities based on your procedure and recovery.
The cost of a facelift varies based on several factors, including the extent of the procedure and whether it’s combined with other treatments like a neck lift or eyelid surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Smith will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs. Rest assured, his team will be transparent about the pricing, so you have a clear understanding of what to expect and can make an informed decision.
Dr. Smith performs facelift surgery at his onsite fully accredited surgery center using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation (twilight sleep). Medication is administered prior to the procedure for comfort and relaxation. Postoperative discomfort can be managed with medication prescribed by Dr. Smith.
While you may notice some degree of visible improvements immediately after your facelift procedure, it can take up to 6 months for full results to emerge, and scars may take longer to mature. The degree of improvement and healing timeline vary from patient to patient.
Facelift results can last for years, depending on your skin type, age, and lifestyle. While it won’t stop the aging process, a facelift can significantly turn back the clock, and your results will age naturally with you.
You’ll likely experience some swelling and bruising, which is normal. Most patients feel comfortable going out in public within two weeks. Full results become visible as swelling decreases over the first few months.
A facelift can take 3 to 5 hours, depending on the extent of the correction and whether or not other procedures are incorporated. Most facelifts are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that a stay in the hospital is not needed.
Many patients combine a facelift with complementary treatments such as a neck lift, eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or skin resurfacing to address different signs of aging. Dr. Smith will help you determine which combination of procedures will give you the best outcome based on your goals.
Contact Andrew Smith, MD FACS Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Irvine, Orange County to schedule your consultation.
