Ideal candidates for a facelift can have deep wrinkles or sagging skin on their face and neck.

The incisions for all techniques are easily hidden within the hairline. The incision begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear, and ends into the lower scalp. You may also have a small, well hidden scar on the bottom of your chin for access to tighten the neck muscles.

As with any incision made, there will be a scar left behind. However, incisions are meticulously planned and scars tend to heal exceptionally well. Facelift scars are strategically placed in areas such as the hairline or behind the ears to be as discreet as possible.

You should arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and assist you for the first 24 to 48 hours of recovery. As a rule of thumb, there is generally not a lot of pain after a facelift. Your surgeon will prescribe medications to keep you as comfortable as possible. Swelling and bruising may last from a few days to a few weeks. Most patients can return to work within two weeks.

Most patients see significant results from their facelift within four to six months, although subtle changes may continue to occur for up to a year after the procedure.

Depending on a person’s genetics, sun exposure, and skin care routine, signs of aging can appear at different times. Most patients choose facial rejuvenation procedures in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, but some people in their 30s who already have visible signs of aging choose to act sooner, while some patients 70 and older who remain in good enough health to have elective surgery decide to have facelift later. What matters more than age is whether the patient wants to reverse signs of aging on the lower face and neck.

Neck lift focuses exclusively on the neck region, whereas most facelift surgeries address both the lower face and the neck in one procedure. If your main cosmetic concern is the appearance of your neck, you may be a good candidate for neck lift, but typically dealing with loose jowls and sagging neck skin simultaneously is the best option for achieving a sleek, more youthful neck slope.

Patients hoping to avoid surgery may be able to mimic some of the benefits of facelift by having a 'liquid facelift.' This is a combination of strategic dermal filler injections that can restore volume to the lower face and minimize wrinkles. Fillers will not produce results that are as transformative as surgery, and injections are necessary every several months to maintain the results long term, but having no downtime after the treatment may make it an appealing option, nevertheless.