Revealed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor

Dr. Brannon Claytor, a double-board licensed Philadelphia-area plastic surgeon, is thought nationally for his excessive stage of experience in facelift surgical procedure and reaching natural-looking outcomes for his sufferers. He loves answering questions on facelifts, from the elemental to the very nuanced. We’ve compiled solutions to the commonest questions for you right here.
What does a facelift do?

A facelift lifts the pores and skin of the cheeks, jowl, and neck to offer a younger look. In the course of the process, the surgeon separates the facial pores and skin from the connective tissue and muscle mass beneath so the deeper facial tissues may be repositioned to create a firmer basis. Extra pores and skin is eliminated and the remaining pores and skin is positioned over the newly rejuvenated facial tissue. Incisions and stitches are inconspicuously positioned across the ear. There are additionally deep aircraft facelifts, the place the surgeon shapes deeper facial tissues as a part of the process to deal with the pores and skin in addition to underlying muscle mass and tissue.
Whereas the time period facelift is commonly used colloquially to explain full facial rejuvenation, strictly outlined, the process doesn’t embody lifting the eyelids or brows. That stated, forehead and eyelid lifting procedures are sometimes mixed in the identical operation to attain extra full outcomes.
Facelift surgical procedure is complicated and requires in-depth data of facial anatomy, a set of superior surgical strategies, and aesthetic finesse. The surgeon ought to keep away from pulling tissues too tightly, which might create an unattractive windswept look. Ability can be required in dealing with the realm across the submandibular glands (jowls).
How lengthy is facelift restoration?
The preliminary facelift restoration interval, when you could considerably restrict your exercise, is about two weeks. As a result of the process lifts and pulls again free facial and neck pores and skin, in addition to connective tissue, it causes bruising and swelling, which subsides considerably by the tip of week two. It would take greater than two weeks for incisions to completely heal and all post-operative swelling to fully resolve. If you could look your greatest for a special day or occasion, we advocate planning your process about three months forward of time. Your plastic surgeon ought to offer you detailed post-surgical care directions and ache reduction suggestions. At Claytor Noone Plastic Surgical procedure, we put all the data you want into a personalised booklet.
Will my face look tight after facelift surgical procedure?
Initially, your facial pores and skin might certainly seem tight merely as a result of postoperative swelling, nonetheless, this tightness will chill out as swelling subsides. A talented plastic surgeon mustn’t pull the pores and skin so tightly {that a} stretched look or tight feeling lasts long-term. Earlier than reserving a process with a specific surgeon, look intently at earlier than and after pictures that have been taken at the very least six months after the process.

When does the tight feeling go away?
The tight sensation after a facelift is short-term and improves steadily as you heal.
- Week 1-2: Tightness is most noticeable. Your face will really feel stiff, and you will have issue with sure facial expressions. That is the height of swelling and inside therapeutic.
- Week 3-4: You’ll discover important enchancment. Many of the tightness eases as swelling decreases and tissues start to settle. Smiling and speaking grow to be extra snug.
- 2-3 months: Your face begins to feel and appear pure. The tight sensation is generally gone, although you would possibly nonetheless discover refined firmness in sure areas when touching your face.
- 6 months: Ultimate softness is achieved. Any residual tightness disappears fully, and your outcomes look pure and relaxed.
The timeline varies primarily based in your therapeutic, the extent of your surgical procedure, and your particular person tissue traits. Sufferers with thicker pores and skin might expertise tightness barely longer, whereas these with thinner pores and skin usually discover it resolving sooner.
How a lot does a facelift value?
Facelift prices fluctuate extensively relying on the kind of process, from $12,000 on the low finish for extra restricted procedures on as much as $22,000 or extra. Costs will even fluctuate relying on the plastic surgeon you select and your locality; a extremely wanted surgeon in an space the place working room house comes at a premium will cost commensurately greater than a much less skilled surgeon in a suburban locale. Should you additionally want a forehead or eyelid elevate to finish your facial rejuvenation, this will improve the full value.
When consulting with a facelift surgeon, be sure that your price quote consists of all of the related prices, together with anesthesia, working room charges, provides you’ll want after your surgical procedure, and post-operative visits. Most respected surgeons are clear about this and can gladly present an all-inclusive quote.
We strongly discourage selecting your plastic surgeon primarily based on worth alone. A below-average worth is commonly an indication that the surgeon doesn’t have correct coaching—or is slicing corners with regards to anesthesia and the working facility, each of that are vital to your security.
Do I want a full facelift?
Not everybody wants or opts for a full facelift. Extra restricted procedures resembling a mini facelift (see our weblog publish right here for an in-depth dialogue) have each lower cost tags and shorter restoration intervals, nonetheless, they’re a better option for sufferers with average pores and skin laxity or different extra surface-based issues.
When customers seek advice from a “full facelift,” they usually imply treating the eyes and brows as effectively. Whereas the time period facelift is usually used for a variety of procedures, a traditional facelift technically solely addresses the decrease two-thirds of the face—the cheeks and jawline, in addition to the neck. An eyelid elevate and forehead elevate may be completed concurrently, however they’re thought of separate procedures. The pores and skin, muscle mass and different tissues alongside the forehead and surrounding the eyelids are very distinct, and require a completely completely different set of strategies than these used throughout a facelift.
- This publish is a component one in all our two-part sequence on facelift choices: you possibly can learn all about mini facelifts and non-surgical facelift choices in half two!

The place are facelift incisions?
Incisions from a full facelift are positioned simply behind the hairline, beginning both close to the temples or the sideburn hairline, and persevering with round to the again of the ear. Equally, mini facelift incisions are usually positioned alongside the hairline above every ear or within the pure creases surrounding the ear. Mini facelift incisions are shorter and thus much less conspicuous, particularly throughout the preliminary therapeutic interval.
Facelift scars might by no means completely disappear, particularly for those who intently look at the pores and skin within the incision areas. Nonetheless, they may soften and enhance over time. Scars will grow to be almost invisible, supplied your surgeon was exact with incision placement, and allow you to learn about post-procedure scar care.
Will a facelift repair all my wrinkles?
Whereas facelifts do easy and tighten pores and skin and successfully assist easy deeper wrinkles brought on by gravity, they don’t tackle superb traces, expression-based wrinkles, solar harm, smoker’s traces, or floor pores and skin imperfections. Further non-surgical pores and skin remedies and/or fractional laser resurfacing are one of the best ways to appropriate these issues. Actually, we regularly advocate these remedies along with a facelift to assist match the floor look of your pores and skin along with your younger general facial construction.
“The entire expertise was incredible! The outcomes exceeded my expectations! I feel and appear 10 years youthful. Dr. Claytor and his employees made me really feel so comfortable and comforting. He is a wonderful surgeon with a beautiful bedside method and persona. It is likely one of the greatest choices I ever made. I’d extremely advocate Dr. Claytor; in reality my neighbor has an appointment with him subsequent month.”
What are the dangers of a facelift?
In keeping with a 2015 examine, the complication price from facelift surgical procedure is low, at 1.8 %. The most typical threat is a hematoma or a group of blood beneath the pores and skin. It usually happens from participating in exercise too quickly after surgical procedure or from elevated blood stress. Should you develop a hematoma, your physician will carry out a easy surgical process to empty the blood.
It’s important to have a radical dialogue along with your surgeon in regards to the process, together with potential dangers, earlier than deciding to maneuver ahead with a facelift. Different facelift problems (that are uncommon) embody:
- Facial nerve damage inflicting short-term or everlasting weak spot in an space
- Poor wound therapeutic
- An infection
- Momentary or everlasting hair loss on the incision web site
- Numbness
- Persistent ache
The easiest way to keep away from all the above problems is to work with a board licensed plastic surgeon who has carried out the process dozens if not a whole bunch of occasions. We advocate on the lookout for at the very least a decade of expertise with facelifts and associated procedures. Make sure they function in an accredited working room with hospital-level security measures in place as anesthesia can pose a better threat than the facelift process itself.
How will I really feel after a facelift?
In the course of the preliminary restoration, you’ll really feel very similar to you’ll after any medical process—there will likely be a number of days when it’s important to take it simple and keep off your toes. Most sufferers discover they expertise little ache and any post-procedure discomfort is well-worth the wonderful outcomes (as evidenced by the facelift process’s excessive “price it” ranking on RealSelf).
After a profitable facelift, sufferers usually really feel a renewed self-confidence of their look. There’s additionally a way of satisfaction from turning again the clock and reversing indicators of growing older. Sufferers usually say, “My look lastly matches how I really feel inside.”
Full facelift outcomes usually final between 8-10 years, and even previous the last decade mark, you’ll have a younger look than you’ll have had with out one. How lengthy outcomes final can be influenced by how your pores and skin continues to age, so a nutritious diet, devoted skincare routine, and constant use of sunscreen are important to getting probably the most out of your facelift.

Study extra about Dr. Claytor’s facelifts for males »
Able to discover the youth-restoring advantages of a facelift? The Claytor Noone Group is able to assist.
We’re completely happy that will help you discover the perfect methods to present your face a rejuvenated, revitalized look! Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Claytor will pay attention fastidiously to your issues and totally clarify the facelift choices that greatest suit your way of life and will provide you with probably the most gorgeous outcomes.
Name the Claytor Noone Plastic Surgical procedure workplace at (610) 527-4833 or contact us on-line to arrange a session with Philadelphia-area plastic surgeon Dr. Claytor.
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