Category: FaceLift Surgery

5 Minute Read: 

For many people, facelift surgery is one of the first procedures that comes to mind when asked to think of anti-aging plastic surgery procedures. 

And that’s because facelift surgery is one of the most trusted and popular cosmetic procedures available. In fact, in 2020 alone, the facelift was the third most common cosmetic surgical procedure, with nearly 235,000 procedures performed. 

However, many people do not really understand what a facelift actually involves. They may be under the false impression that a facelift is simply tightening the facial skin. 

While a facelift does involve tightening the skin on the face, there is much more to the procedure. 

So, to help you better understand what a facelift is and what it can do for you, here is some information about facelift surgery.

What Can a Facelift Correct?

Whether from age, lifestyle, or life events, many men and women develop excess skin, unwanted facial fat, and sagging tissues (particularly around the midface and jawline) along with wrinkles and fine lines, on their faces. 

These facial issues can be embarrassing for a lot of people. 

However, facelift surgery can help address these issues by smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, getting rid of sagging skin, and lifting the underlying tissues to eliminate the presence of jowls. 

And what’s more, facelift surgery doesn’t just address these problems on a surface level, but instead, treats these issues below the surface so that you can have long-lasting and natural results. 

How Is a Facelift Performed?

Facelift surgery is a complex surgical procedure that requires skill and extensive knowledge of the facial structure.

While all facelift surgeries are tailored to the patient, there are commonalities between procedures. In general, the surgery is performed with the following steps:

1. Facelift surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. 
2. After the anesthesia has been administered, Dr. Davison or Dr. Pinell will make an incision that begins at your temples and continues along the contours in front of your ear, ending at the base of your scalp. 
3. An additional incision may be made under your chin to address any issues that may be present there. This is an incision made with all neck lift patients. Neck lift surgery is commonly performed in conjunction with facelift surgery to address vertical neck banding and excess skin or wrinkles on the décolleté area. This incision also allows for the removal of submental fat (also known as a double chin). Neck liposuction is also available to address unwanted submental fat for patients with good neck skin elasticity and health.
4. Your surgeon will then tighten the underlying tissues and muscles with internal sutures. 
5. Once the underlying issues are addressed, excess and sagging skin will be trimmed away. 
6. Before the incisions are closed, your surgeon will tighten the remaining skin to give your face a more contoured and defined appearance.

Because the entire face (surface and below surface) is addressed, you can expect to have complete facial rejuvenation after your facelift. 

Facelift surgery addresses the bottom two-thirds of the face (beneath the eyes to the jawline). Additional surgical procedures are needed to address the upper region of the face. These include brow lift surgery and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). 

To see more transformative examples of facelift surgeries performed by the experts at DAVinci Plastic Surgery, view our before and after photo gallery. 

What Extra Non-surgical and Minimally Invasive Enhancements Are Available for the Face?

As we age, we can lose volume in our face (especially in our cheeks, jawline, and under our eyes), which makes us look gaunt and older than we are. 

And while facelift surgery can transform the appearance of your face, this procedure cannot correct volume loss. Instead, dermal fillers and facial fat transfer are two options you have to restore lost volume in your face. 

And the best part about these options is that they can be performed to enhance a facelift or performed as standalone procedures. 

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers (or facial fillers) are injectable treatments that use hyaluronic acid (HA) to attract and retain moisture in your skin, creating increased volume in your face. 

At DAVinci Plastic Surgery, we are proud to offer different dermal filler options, including JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, and BELOTERO BALANCE®. 

Each of these fillers can be used to address specific facial issues, including lost volume and wrinkles such as marionette lines, smile and frown lines, and issues with the nasolabial folds. 

Dermal filler results can last up to one year before requiring maintenance treatments.

Facial Fat Transfer

Also known as facial fat grafting, facial fat transfer offers a longer lasting improvement to facial volume than what can be attained with dermal fillers. 

For facial fat transfer, fatty tissue is extracted from an area of your body (usually the abdomen, hips, or flanks) through liposuction surgery. 

This fat is then processed and purified before it is strategically injected into areas of your face. With this procedure, the fat from your own body fills in areas of lost volume while also smoothing wrinkles and fine lines to give you a more balanced and youthful appearance.

Alternatively, some patients choose to combine their facelift with volume enhancement procedures like cheek augmentation (with cheek implants).

Interested in Learning More about Facelift Surgery in Washington DC?

If you have questions about facelift surgery or any of the other procedures we offer at DAVinci Plastic Surgery, give us a call at 202-966-9590 or scroll down to fill out our online contact form and schedule your consultation.

3 Minute Read: 

Many people want their facial appearance to look more youthful and vibrant. It’s one of the reasons that so many celebrities have had facelifts. 

However, when you hear the term “facelift,” you may think that the procedure encompasses the entire face — “face” is in the name, after all. 

However, this is a common misconception. 

In reality, facelift surgery only addresses the lower two-thirds of the face. So, while the lower part of your face will look refreshed and renewed after a facelift, the upper portion will remain untreated.

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that addresses sagging and loose skin in the lower portions of the face, which is brought on by age, substantial weight loss, or genetics.

The main areas of correction include the cheeks, jowls, areas around the mouth, chin, and neck. 

Since many patients are concerned about fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging tissues that have developed around these areas, facelift surgery is the ideal procedure, and it addresses these issues to give a younger and more refreshed look, which will, in turn, leave patients feeling more confident in the way they look.

The Procedure

A facelift addresses the middle and lower portions of the face, which includes everything from the cheeks to the neck. Depending on the extent of the surgery, either local or general anesthesia is used, so patients won’t feel any pain during the procedure. 

After the anesthesia has been administered, incisions are made, starting at the temples and extending down the sides of the face, going behind the ear, and ending in the lower scalp. If the neck needs to be addressed, an extra incision is made under the chin. 

The underlying tissues and muscles are tightened, fat is removed and/or redistributed, and the skin is elevated. Once this has been completed, the facial skin is redraped, and any excess skin is removed. 

Finally, the incisions are closed, and the patient is ready to begin the recovery process. After a few weeks, the patient will have a rejuvenated lower face. 

But what if you want your whole face to look younger? 

How to Rejuvenate the Rest of the Face

Since a facelift only focuses on the lower portion of your face, you may want to consider an additional facial procedure to ensure a completely balanced and natural look. 

Some of these procedures include:

• Brow lift surgery: to lift sagging brows and eliminate deep creases across the forehead
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): to address hooded upper eyelids and heavy bags beneath the eyes
• Rhinoplasty (nose surgery): to adjust the nasal structure

Besides having a more evenly contoured face, which makes you look years younger, another benefit of combining procedures is that there is less overall recovery, as your facelift recovery will be happening at the same time as you are recovering from the other procedures. 

Once your results settle in, you won’t be able to help smiling at your reflection in the mirror!

Want to Learn More About Rejuvenating Your Entire Face?

If you have any questions about facelift surgery or combining it with other facial procedures, then our board-certified plastic surgeons will be happy to help give you the information you need. 

Give us a call at 202-966-9560 or fill out our online form here.

You can also see our facelift transformations by visiting our facelift before and after photo gallery.

Does this describe you?

• You’re a loyal recipient of injectables and have enjoyed the benefits for years.
• You love the results, but have the feeling you’re needing a little more than what they can do.
• You don’t have in mind anything drastic, but some minor improvements just beyond the benefits that injectables have previously satisfied.
• You’re open minded to surgical options, but are in the prime of your career and/or raising a family, and just don’t have the time for a recovery “time out.”

If so, you might be a good candidate for a Mini Facelift. In the past many people were saying this kind of surgery wasn’t worth it because of the subtlety. Now, with the “tweakment” mindset of many people these days, I would say it is a great fit. Here’s why:

1. Yes, the results aren’t drastic, but that’s what some people want. They want that comment from a friend or coworker that says, “You look refreshed, a little younger, but I can’t put my finger on exactly how.”
2. Volume loss and loose skin that is effected by gravity cause the beginning of jowling along the jawline. A small tightening to this area with a Mini Facelift is refining and rejuvenating. If the neck is in pretty good condition, then the Mini Facelift will address the jowling and lower third of the face nicely to turn back time about 5 to 7 years. This is ideal for women in the 40s, but I’ve seen patients in their mid 30s through their mid 50s who could benefit from a Mini Facelift.
3. Depending on the issues addressed by a Mini Lift, it can usually be done without general anesthesia and within a fairly quick surgery requiring a small hidden incision. The recovery is mild. Some people go back to work after a long weekend or feel good enough within a week. This is a perfect option for most women in their prime career and family years.

Other options

Not Ready for Surgery Yet? A Liquid Facelift can be a great way to hold off on a surgical Facelift. It can smooth wrinkles, restore volume, and even lift a little. However, when it comes to the effects of aging on the lower face and neck, injectables are limited and not long lasting.

Need something a little more? A Full Facelift can address the whole face, but really tighten major jowling and sagging neck that can leave you rejuvenated and looking 10 years younger. Depending on the degree, will require about 2 weeks out of work and resting with about a month of recovery. Swelling and bruising will gradually subside beyond that time, but is manageable and coverable with makeup.

Every Facelift is unique. Come talk with us about your facial rejuvenation goasl so we can help you decide what “tweakment” or procedure will be best for you. Schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

The initial recovery stages of any surgery, including a Facelift, can be a challenge because you’re not feeling or looking normal. Patience is key. Even as your body is healing, a large portion of recovery is emotional, too. Continue to remind yourself of your “why.” How will looking at least 10 years younger make you feel? Imagine yourself at the next big event where you’ll receive all the compliments of how young and healthy you look. This is a light at the end of the tunnel, as your body goes through the physical and emotional healing process.

Month 1: Getting Back to Normal

Fortunately, once you get through the first 2 to 3 weeks after your Facelift, you should start to feel encouraged as you see the swelling and bruising go down. The rippled or puckered incision sites should smooth out. This really helps with camouflaging them with makeup or hairstyle. Your confidence will increase as you start to venture out and are able to resume more daily activities. Even though there will still be some bruising, swelling and tightness, you will probably feel confident and comfortable enough with covering them with makeup. Most people can return to work by the 3^rd week.

However, don’t get overconfident and push yourself too hard. You’ll want to be very conscious of protecting your skin and incisions from the sun, also. Incisions will probably remain pink or red until they fade away over a year’s time, but any exposure in the sun can darken the scars permanently.

Month 2 and beyond

Once you’re past the first month, the Facelift recovery process significantly improves. Even though your healing still has a ways to go before you feel completely normal, it will be encouraging to feel confident enough to get out and about. Incision site, swelling and bruising won’t look completely healed in the first 6 months, but you’ll probably be the only one to notice their slight effects. Any tightness will resolve as you get more comfortable in your new youthful skin.

Choosing a triple board certified surgeon, such as myself, ensures the Facelift surgery will be executed with precise artistry and safety. Your self care during recovery is just as significant of a role in the successful outcome. Remember that even as you’re feel much better in the months following your Facelift, it’s important to continue to be as diligent with the good skin care habits that have been necessary for healing.

You want to protect your investment and take the best care of your skin so that the results will last as long as possible. Let’s talk about how we can partner in the process of an amazing rejuvenating Facelift to turn back the clock a decade or two. Winter is a great time to get the process started. Schedule your consultation at www.davinciplastic.com today.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

A Facelift is a well thought through investment. Knowing how to care for the investment leads to its ultimate success and your happiness with the results. In our post operative preparation consultation, you will be given details on the proper care during your Facelift surgery recovery. Today I’ll cover some of that process and the recovery timeline.

The First Week

A helpful companion should be with you from the time you’re out of surgery until at least the first 24 to 48 hours. They can help remind you of care instructions, ease you into the routine, and look after you in the initial period of getting used to recovery.

You shouldn’t be in a lot of pain because the medication will help with that, although you might feel some nausea or fatigue. Proper incision care should help the stitches to not feel itchy. Don’t be alarmed that your swelling and bruising will seem to get worse on day 3 or 4 before it starts to get better. Also, healing doesn’t always happen equally on both sides of the face, so one side may stay bruised or swollen a little longer than the other. Be sure to report any fever or unusual bulges. We’ll check everything to make sure its healing well when we have our 1 week follow up appointment to remove any staples.

You may feel well enough to move around the house a little bit after a day or 2, which is good for circulation, but during the first week you’re taking it real easy. It’s a good time to catch up on your audio books, movies, scrapbooking, organize the junk drawer or other light household chores.

Second Week

You’ll start to see some real progress in the healing during the 2^nd and 3^rd weeks, even though there will still be bruising on the face and neck, and likely around the ears and eyes. You will probably feel well enough for an outing, but its ok to want to stay out of the public eye until the bruising and swelling further resolve. However, if you’re getting cabin fever and must go out, there are clever makeup tricks to cover the bruising up to the edge of the incision.

It’s important to have some mild activity throughout the day to help with circulation, so do not stay on bed rest. Keep yourself moving by taking a short walk if the weather is cool enough, by doing some light housework or organizational projects. Healthy circulation will help your healing, but more movement isn’t necessarily better. Avoid overexertion or any strenuous activity.

It’s normal to feel strange sensations, such as tingling or burning as the nerve endings are firing off. It’s also normal to have numbness or not have any feeling in the area yet. More than likely you’ll feel some tightness for a while. These effects are still the very early stages of Facelift recovery. Next blog will continue into the later stages.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

In the hands of a triple board certified surgeon like myself, you know you’re giving yourself the best chance possible for wonderful cosmetic surgery results. Learn more about my triple board certification and credentials here. As much as I can do a fantastic surgery for you, what happens after the surgery room is up to you and your body.

In addition to following our post operative care instructions, you can give yourself the best chance possible for healing properly by allowing for enough recovery time and taking these measures:

• Rest and relax (binge watch a new show on Netflix)
• Don’t lift anything beyond prescribed weight limits
• Take time off from work
• Enlist someone to help you with physical tasks and emotional support
• Eat well, including healthy fats from avocados and salmon
• Drink a lot of water

So what does allowing for enough recovery time look like? Here is a break down by the most popular surgeries, so that you can start planning for the ideal time in your schedule. First we will start with the face and then the next blog will cover the recovery for the most popular body procedures.

Rhinoplasty
Remaining upright, on pain meds, and out of sight for at least a week will be your post surgery recovery for Rhinoplasty. Except for the necessary post op visits to remove your packing and splint, you’ll want to take it real easy. There will be significant bruising and swelling around the eyes and midface for at least a week. While you’ll likely feel able move around by the end of the week, you’ll probably want to plan to stay out of work, order take out and delivery groceries for 1 to 2 weeks. Swelling and bruising will settle down by a month, but depending on the degree of nose alteration, it could be up to a year until things look and feel like the new normal.

Facelift
Your first 1 to 2 nights should be spent with someone to help you. While you should definitely be resting, you can get up to walk around to help with blood circulation for healing. The swelling and stitches along your hairline will require you to take 2 to 3 weeks off of work. After that you can cover most of it with styling your hair and makeup while you continue to recover for the rest of the month. You will probably look a little swollen or tight for a few months, but the final results of healing should be complete within a year.

Jaw and Neck Liposuction
For a facial procedure, this has a relatively quick recovery time. It’s normal to have bruising and need to wear a compression chin strap for a week. Bruising often travels down the lower neck and even into the upper chest. Sutures are removed within 3 to 5 days and the scar under the chin isn’t ever visible in a normal profile view. Any muscle weakness affecting the lips should subside in 2 weeks. You should be happy with the swelling usually resolved by 3 months.

Steven Davison, M.D.

Triple Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

While you may initially come into my office to address an immediate beauty need, we will take the time in our consultation to talk about your long term beauty goals and to help you with a plan. This plan may start off with some non invasive treatments, such as a Liquid Facelift using a variety of injectables to touch up and rejuvenate some crows feet, furrowed brows or mouth parenthesis creases. Then it might build into a 5 to 10 year plan for a mini facelift to address slightly sagging jowls and neck or Blepharoplasty to open up drooping eyelids for a brighter, more rested looking eye area. Either way, this plan should not only focus on immediate needs, but incorporate treatments for future youth restoration goals and maintenance.

Cosmetic surgery and non invasive treatments can easily be performed all year long, however, there are certain times of year that lend themselves to easily incorporate the rest and recovery that make it more convenient. Also, there are also certain issues you may want to address before a special event (think: high school reunion or holiday party) or time of year (think: bikini season).

Here is a seasonal surgery guide with suggestions for planning your procedure:

Fall

After the activity of summer and before the flurry of winter festivities, the fall season offers a perfect break in the social calendar for most people. This means that recovery time away is easy to schedule. Also, the cooler weather means clothes with more coverage and comfort. After getting any kids and grandkids settled into school, the scheduled routine or empty nest would allow for effortless predictability and rest for scheduling a surgery. It also will allow plenty of healing time for you to approach the holidays recovered and looking great. This is a good time for anything from Liposuction, Blepharoplasty, Facelift to Breast Augmentation. Fall is my first choice for cosmetic procedures.

Winter

This season offers some good opportunities for cosmetic surgeries. Before the new year, the injectables are the best because you can’t afford downtime between Thanksgiving and New Years, but January is the perfect month to kick off the New Year with a big step towards your beauty and healthy body goals. Winter scarves and turtlenecks easily cover the bruising or swelling from Kybella or a Facelift. Also the bulkier clothes will conceal any over night changes to the body from a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction. The Martin Luther King and Presidents Day holidays allow for long weekends and time off work without the usual holiday social schedule.

Spring

These are the months to rejuvenate and refresh yourself along with the start of a new season, and to prepare for the summer season. Body image procedures such as Liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift, and Breast Augmentation are popular this time of year. Also, by this time, some of the results from New Years resolutions for weight loss have a chance to kick in and become a habit so that body contouring can have optimal results.

Summer

Surgery can be a success in the summer, but it’s crucial to stay out of the sun. The heat and sweat can be irritating during recovery. It’s always a great time for injectables like Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra since these injectables are in and out so you’re on your way to looking fabulous for your vacation. Another fabulous non invasive, body contouring rpocedure to trim away small puches of stubborn fat is SculpSure. Popular summer break surgical procedures are Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty between the school years.

Let me help you make your procedure plan for your ideal image by scheduling a consultation today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Last week we determined that this is the perfect time of the year to get a Facelift. The end of summer and beginning of fall season offers the perfect downtime before Thanksgiving and winter festivities. Now, I will address the different seasons of life, men and women experience, and the rejuvenation benefits  from a customized Facelift.

Variations exist based on gender, genetics, environment and lifestyle choices… such as smoking and how diligently someone has cared for their skin. However – generally our skin reflects the decades in similar ways. With this in mind, remember that the most important factor isn’t specifically your age, but whether the face reveals the changes from aging that can be corrected by a Facelift.

Facelift In Your 40s’s

• The signs of aging start to creep in for most people in their late 30s and early 40s.
• These signs of aging are when the lines turn into wrinkles and
• skin starts to lose some of its elasticity and glow.
• Visible crows feet, frown lines, smile parenthesis  show up
• and volume loss in the cheeks and lips become a sign of this age.

A “liquid facelift” with Voluma can restore volume in the cheeks to create a subtle lift to the mid face that can might decrease marionette lines. But a Mini Facelift would be needed if the upper face and lower face need to be addressed as well. It can really give a youthful boost to the brows or jaw line that to keep you looking younger for longer. It is the least invasive surgical option and recovery is relatively quick. It works really well in combination with a Liquid Facelift, Botox and fillers to keep you looking great in your “Flirty 40s.”

Facelift In Your 50s and 60s
Often times, women in this age range are looking for more noticeable results than what can be fixed with injectables alone. Gravity and slower cellular repair result less collagen and elastin, showing up as more prominent loose, sagging skin, drooping brow, eyelids, mid-face and jowls. A Full Facelift is the only way to rejuvenate every area of the face from the forehead down to the neck. It can rejuvenate your features and easily take 10 years off the face.

What about the 70s?
It’s important to remember that there’s a difference in chronological age and physiological age. Someone who’s taken great care of them self may be 70 years old, but as fit, active and sharp as a 50 year old. But generally speaking, the skin has lost the elasticity necessary to experience any lasting benefits of a facelift.

There are also age related health ailments and the more difficult recover from surgery that usually makes an elective surgery an unwise choice. There are however, other ways to help 70 year olds to look the best they can for their age. For example, one of the main reasons for facial sagging is volume loss. This can be helped with a “liquid facelift” using Voluma.

Contact me today to schedule a consultation to see how a Facelift can enhance your features and turn back the years. Visit www.davinciplastic.com today. As a triple board certified in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, and head & neck surgery, your face is in the best hands with me.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

The summer season is coming to a close and it is time to prepare for fall… which is an ideal time to squeeze in a cosmetic procedure. Most people enjoy active summer months with vacations, fun outdoor activities and events. For those people, it’s a great time to stay up to date with rejuvenating procedures that don’t involve any downtime, such as Botox or Juvederm. Once the back to school flurry settles, there’s a nice 2 to 3 month window – in the fall -before the holiday festivities kick in. This is an ideal time to do a cosmetic surgery that requires some downtime/recovery… the Facelift.

Facelift in the Fall
As the weather is starting to cool down, the calendar is as well. Taking advantage of this pre holiday season of rest is the perfect occasion for a Facelift.

The Facelift is one of the most time tested and perfected procedures in plastic surgery. It is extremely customizable, yet requires significant technical and artistic skill. This combination can only be achieved by an experienced board certified surgeon, such as myself.

Also, the ease and time frame of the Facelift recovery can be greatly determined by the skill of the surgeon, the quality of the skin and the type of Facelift that is performed. Having your Facelift in the late summer – early Fall phase gives your body a good chance to heal and reveal great results in time for Thanksgiving and the winter festivities.

What a Facelift Can Do for You…
I spend time with my patients – one on one, face to face (the consultation),  to understand their desires and to explain what kind of results to expect. There are many options and techniques to give you the most harmonious, youthful results possible.

On the minimal end of the spectrum is the Mini Facelift. The Mini Facelift offers a subtle rejuvenation to younger patients in their 40s with minor signs of aging and loose skin. Your face will look refreshed and more youthful, but most people won’t be able to pinpoint that you’ve had surgery.

On the end of the Facelift spectrum providing more dramatic results is a Traditional or Full Facelift. A Full Facelift is a comprehensive way to rejuvenate every area of the face from the forehead down to the neck. It provides smoother, tighter, lifted skin that can take 10 years off your appearance.

Facelift Recovery…From weeks to months to over a year, there are different stages of recovery.

Someone may be able to go back to work with makeup on in a matter of a week after a Mini Facelift. On the other hand, the tightness, sensation and swelling of the internal tissue may take more than a year to completely heal after a Full Facelift, even though superficially the face looks great after about 3 months. As mentioned previously, the recovery depends on the:
skill of the surgeon to execute the surgery with gentle, precise technique,
quality of the skin to bounce back and heal,
type of Facelift surgery to determine the amount of tissue, muscle and skin affected.

A younger, refreshed face is waiting for you this Fall. Now is the perfect time to talk about, plan and perform your Facelift. Visit www.davinciplastic.com today.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon