Facelift in Sacramento

Benefits of a Facelift

A facelift is one of the most effective ways to reverse the visible signs of facial aging, and the benefits go well beyond tighter skin. By lifting and repositioning the deeper supportive tissue of the face, Dr. Davis is able to soften sagging cheeks, smooth jowls along the jawline and reduce the deep folds that form between the nose and mouth. Many of our Sacramento facelift patients also choose to address neck laxity at the same time, restoring a firmer, more defined profile.

The results are designed to look like you, only rested and refreshed. Other benefits patients often notice include:

• A smoother jawline and reduction in jowling
• Softer nasolabial folds and marionette lines
• A more contoured, defined neck and profile
• Long-lasting results that continue to age naturally
• A boost in confidence that comes from looking as young as you feel

Best Candidates for a Facelift

The best candidates for a facelift are men and women who are bothered by sagging skin, deep creases or a loss of definition along the jawline and neck, and who are in good overall health. Dr. Davis evaluates each person individually to determine whether a facelift or a combination of procedures will best achieve the results they’re looking for.

Good facelift candidates typically:

• Have moderate to significant skin laxity in the lower face and neck
• Are nonsmokers, or willing to stop smoking well before and after surgery
• Are in good general health with no conditions that could impair healing
• Have realistic expectations about what a facelift can achieve
• Maintain a stable, healthy weight

Traditional vs. Mini Facelift

A traditional facelift is the more comprehensive option, addressing moderate to severe laxity throughout the lower face and neck. Incisions extend around the ear and into the hairline, allowing Dr. Davis to lift and reposition the deeper tissue beneath the skin for a smoother jawline, softer folds and a firmer neck. Because it treats a larger area more thoroughly, a traditional facelift typically requires a longer initial recovery, but it also delivers more dramatic, longer-lasting results than a mini facelift.

A mini facelift, on the other hand, is a less invasive option designed for men and women with early to moderate signs of aging, particularly around the jowls and lower cheeks. It uses shorter incisions, involves less tissue manipulation and can often be performed with a shorter recovery time. While the results are more subtle and tend not to last quite as long as a traditional facelift, a mini facelift can be an excellent choice for those who want a refreshed appearance without the downtime of a more extensive procedure.

The right choice depends on your goals and how much correction you’re hoping to achieve. Dr. Davis will walk you through your surgical options during your consultation to help you decide which technique will give you the most natural, satisfying results.

Your Facelift Consultation

During your face lift consultation, Dr. Davis will assess your concerns and examine your entire face and neck. Depending on your individual goals and starting point, he may also recommend combining your facelift procedure with other facial rejuvenation procedures so your result is balanced and harmonious with your features. Dr. Davis often performs a face lift with brow lifts, eyelid surgery, fat grafting, lip lifts and laser skin resurfacing.

Your Facelift Procedure

During your facelift procedure, Dr. Davis will lift the skin and supportive tissue beneath the skin of the cheeks, jawline and neck. Scars are hidden around the ear and in the hairline. The bands that commonly develop in the neck are smoothed out and the excess skin of the face and neck is removed. Dr. Davis believes in a natural result without looking overly pulled, so you look like you, only younger. The surgery takes around 3 to 4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia.

Facelift Recovery

After surgery, you will be placed in head wrap and have a small suction drain. You will return to the office the next day to have the head wrap removed. We will continue to check on you as you recover and are, of course, here and available any day if you have any questions or concerns. Sutures and the drain are removed at your one-week appointment.

Recovery from a facelift takes about 2 weeks. That first week, you’ll be a bit bruised and swollen but will be feeling very good at the end of the week. Many patients like to sleep in a recliner or with their head elevated on extra pillows to help reduce swelling. After the first week, you can gradually increase your activity level, and most of the bruising can be covered with makeup at 2 weeks. You can begin strenuous exercise and rigorous activity at 8 weeks.

Facelift Results

Once swelling has fully settled, you should notice a smoother jawline, softer folds around the mouth and a firmer, more contoured neck and profile. Facelift results continue to improve as final swelling resolves, with the full outcome typically visible within a few months of surgery.

From there, most patients enjoy their results for a decade or longer, since a facelift addresses the deeper structural causes of sagging rather than masking them the way nonsurgical treatments do. Of course, a facelift doesn't stop the natural aging process. Your face will continue to age after surgery, but from a more youthful starting point, and many patients choose to maintain their results with a healthy lifestyle, sun protection and complementary treatments like skin resurfacing or injectables.