FACELift
Aging Gracefully
The face is one of the first areas to display noticeable signs of aging. Usually, patients start to notice displeasing creases and deepening wrinkles, i.e. nasolabial folds, early jowling, or marionette lines. Genetic factors along with stresses of daily life, including sun exposure, effects of gravity, facial animation, and lifestyle choices, all contribute to facial aging. In addition to skin excess and laxity, bony resorption occurs with fat descent and atrophy, further weakening the underlying foundation.
Facelift reverses these signs of aging by correcting the underlying problems of muscle and skin laxity, skin excess, and volume loss. It is often performed with adjunct procedures such as brow lift, neck lift, and/or fat grafting. As everyone fears a windswept look, Dr. Lisa Hwang strives for a natural, understated appearance, restoring the younger you. Specialized in aesthetic plastic surgery, Dr. Hwang will help you erase the last couple decades — get ready to look the way you feel!
Problem areas
Brow.
In women, the brow ideally sits higher than the brow bone, while in men, the brow often sits at the level of the bone. A low-set, drooping brow can appear masculine or angry. It also contributes to hooding (heaviness) of the upper eyelids, triggering hyperactivity of the frontalis muscle in the forehead, which deepens forehead wrinkles.
Nasolabial Folds.
AKA smile lines. People tend to become preoccupied with these lines, while they are only secondary to the underlying problems (bony resorption, soft tissue atrophy and descent, and skin laxity).
Jowling.
Jowl formation accentuates Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth and creates a pre-jowl sulcus. Jaw definition is gradually lost as the face becomes more rectangular and bottom-heavy.
Banding.
The neck may show signs of aging even earlier than the face. Loose skin and fat are emphasized upon flexion of the neck. Platysmal bands may become more apparent as the muscle weakens and loses elasticity.
SURGERY
Brow Lift.
Brow lift establishes a more youthful brow shape and position while weakening muscles that contribute to brow furrowing and wrinkles. This surgery can be performed as an open or endoscopic procedure. Open incisions are hidden either within the hairline (coronal) or along the hairline (for people with high/larger foreheads). In the endoscopic approach, surgery is performed through tiny incisions within the hairline under visualization through a small camera.
faceLift.
Facelift corrects the underlying soft tissue problems of aging by tightening the underlying submuscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) and removing excess skin. Incisions are hidden within the hairline by the temples and continue down in front and around the ears, extending into the hairline behind the ears. The extent of the incisions depends on the amount of overall laxity in the individual. Reversing the soft tissue effects of aging enhances the contour of the mid and lower face.
Neck Lift.
Problems in the lower face and neck are usually not isolated problems, often extending from soft tissue laxity in the face. Thus, a neck lift alone usually will not fully address the problem; rather, it is often performed as an adjunct to a facelift. Platysmaplasty tightens the neck muscle through a small submental incision under the chin to correct banding. Liposuction or direct excision can be performed to remove excess fat. But moderate to severe skin excess will generally require a facelift to be fully corrected.
fat transfer.
One of the main problems in aging is soft tissue and fat atrophy. Loss of plump, youthful volume results in an aged and exhausted appearance. Fat transfer utilizes the patient's own fat in other parts of the body to restore hollowed areas in the face, i.e. temples, cheeks, nasolabial folds, and the chin. Because only about 50% of fat survives long term, patients should beware that their immediate postoperative result may be more plump than ideal. Over the first 6 months, swelling improves.
Recovery
Psychologically, face surgery is one of the most difficult to recover from, mainly because our faces are central to our identity, and while we are recovering in the isolation of our own homes, we are constantly reminded of the temporary disfigurement when we look at our reflection in the mirror.
Physically, patients generally experience minor discomfort—many actually report numbness in the affected areas. Patients can also expect swelling, bruising, and a sensation of tightness. Most signs and symptoms improve within 2 weeks. But it may take up to 3 to 6 months for swelling to completely resolve and for sensation to improve.
Activity.
After facelift and neck lift, drains are placed on each side of the face to evacuate blood/bodily fluid and minimize swelling. Based on the output, they may be removed within the first couple days. Patients should sleep with their heads elevated while lying in bed. Cool compresses may be used, but direct application of ice should be avoided since the face is numb. Patients are encouraged to get out of bed and walk around periodically to avoid developing clots in their legs or lungs.
Risks & Complications.
Risks include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, asymmetry, contour deformity, and temporary or permanent numbness/paralysis. Smoking cessation is required, as it predisposes you to wound healing issues and skin necrosis.
RESULTS
REVIEWs
"I am extremely happy I chose Dr. Lisa Hwang to be my plastic surgeon! She is personable, professional, and caring, and spent so much time guiding me through surgery. I went in complaining about eye bags and deep facial wrinkles, and left with a surgical plan - facelift, eyelid lift, and fat grafting - that I completely trusted. Her technical expertise, detail-oriented approach, and warm bedside manner kept me comfortable throughout, and I am absolutely thrilled with my results! I still look like myself, but 20 years younger!" — Patient Review on Yelp
FAQS
How long should I expect to stay at home while I heal?
Because our faces are so closely tied to identity, facelift recovery can be as much an emotional journey as a physical one. It’s common for patients to worry about looking unnatural or being seen before they’re fully healed. In the first 2–3 weeks, swelling, bruising, and fresh sutures are most noticeable, and many patients prefer privacy during this stage. For that reason, I recommend planning 2–3 weeks away from work and social activities. During this time, focus on rest and surround yourself with strong social support - it makes a big difference. Physically, you’ll also need to avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for at least 3 weeks to protect your healing incisions.
How much time should I take off of work for recovery?
The improvements from a facelift are long-lasting because the deeper facial tissues are repositioned, not just the skin. In that sense, the surgical changes are permanent. However, a facelift does not stop the natural aging process. Over time, factors like bone resorption, muscle & fat atrophy, and gradual skin laxity will continue to affect the face. Even so, patients who have had a facelift will generally look younger and more refreshed than if they had never had surgery at all. Many enjoy results that last 10 years or more, depending on their skin quality, lifestyle, and genetics.
I’m only concerned with my neck–can I get only a necklift or a mini-facelift?
The face and neck are connected and usually age together. In most cases, improving the neck requires not only tightening the underlying platysma muscle but also gently lifting and repositioning the surrounding skin upward and outward to achieve a natural, harmonious result. For this reason, a combination neck and facelift is often recommended rather than an isolated necklift. That said, there are some limited cases where the concern in the neck is very minor, and a necklift alone can address the issue without creating imbalance in adjacent areas of the face. During your consultation, I’ll carefully evaluate whether you’re a candidate for a more targeted approach or if a comprehensive lift would give you the best and most natural outcome.
What is a deep plane facelift?
A deep plane facelift is a surgical technique that goes beneath the skin to lift and reposition the SMAS layer (the supportive layer of muscle and connective tissue under the skin). By carefully releasing the ligaments that hold the face in place, the deeper tissues can be lifted and restored to a more youthful position in the cheeks, jawline, and neck. This technique directly addresses the underlying changes that occur with aging and can create results that look natural, last longer, and avoid the “pulled” appearance that people often worry about.
What credentials does Dr. Lisa Hwang hold?
Dr. Lisa Hwang, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon, specializing in aesthetic surgery. She is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and has completed extensive training, including full residencies in both general surgery and plastic surgery, a postdoctoral research fellowship in plastic surgery, followed by an aesthetic surgery fellowship endorsed by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
Dr. Hwang is an active member of several esteemed professional societies, including ASAPS, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS), and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Her practice reflects a commitment to surgical precision, artistic vision, and compassionate, personalized care.
How much does a Facelift cost?
Costs can vary based on your individual goals. Reach out to us with the details of what you’re considering, and we’ll provide a ballpark estimate.