Facelift in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, CA board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Charles K. Lee has been performing facelifts and mini facelifts for more than 15 years, and has been perfecting his L-Max FaceLift  through a mini-scar and maximum SMAS eLevation.   He utilizes his micro-plastic surgery skills with precision to focus on the complexity of your facial anatomy, which includes protecting your facial nerves, fat, and skin.

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, at L Plastic Surgery can focus on areas like:

• The wrinkles around the eyes and cheeks
• The mid-face region (near the mouth and cheeks)
• The jowls and nasolabial folds

It is very common for Dr. Lee to combine other facial plastic surgeries with the facelift. If you qualify, you may be able to have your facelift with similar surgeries like a neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid lift surgery for spectacular results. The L-Max FaceLift  combines the vertical lift of the facial skin and the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer, combining the Deep Plane Lift with SMAS Plication.   The vertical lift of the SMAS can improve the jowls and lower midface significantly. How? It lifts the skin into a more natural and youthful position around the cheeks.

Dr. Lee's L-Max FaceLlift technique is one of the most powerful ways he can fight the effects of gravity and loss of tissue strength on your behalf. Depending on the severity of your facial skin sag or how deep your wrinkles go, Dr. Lee will give you his professional opinion on the next steps of your plastic surgery journey with confidence. Book your face-to-face consultation with Dr. Lee today.

Men and women who are suitable for a facelift have noticeable facial wrinkles and lines whether it be on the entire face or on the upper, middle, or lower section of the face. A facelift can address various sections depending on your unique needs. It is important to understand that age doesn't always define the appropriate time to have cosmetic facial surgery. The facelift type can vary for patients who are between 30 and 40 years old versus patients who are in their 60s and 70s. Skin elasticity is one of the key elements in the planning process. Facelift patients should be physically healthy, refrain from smoking, and also have realistic expectations.

Dr. Lee has treated patients of all ages from their early 40s to mid 80s for facelift. 

He has performed FaceLifts on celebrities, models, and professionals who need his extensive technical expertise and vast reconstructive plastic surgery experience. 

Regardless of your aesthetic concerns, there are various levels of facelifts to consider. Some facelifts rejuvenate the upper area of the face, and others focus on the lower two-thirds. In addition, some methods are a bit more invasive and intricate than others. Some of the more known facelift techniques include:

• Full facelift
  Considered the gold standard, the full or "traditional" facelift usually places an incision near the hairline, then extends down to the temple region, reaching the base of the ears. The deeper layer of facial tissues and muscles are carefully pulled and safely tightened to create a lifted look, which diminishes excessive wrinkles and sagging. A full facelift is selected for individuals who show signs of more severe aging. 
• Mini facelift
  When undergoing a mini facelift, a thin, small incision is placed near the ears to elevate the skin, which helps the mouth and jawline. This technique creates nice and subtle enhancements that look beautiful and true-to-life. The mini facelift may have a shorter recovery period, especially if a local anesthesia is administered. 
• Revision facelift:  Sometimes, patients may have had a prior facelift or are not satisfied with their current facelift result.  A prior facelift does not exclude the possibility of further eLevating the excess skin, fat, or scars.     

The L-Max FaceLift is further tailored to your individual facial needs and anatomy.  Most importantly, all the facial elements of the skin and SMAS are eLevated and moved in the Deep Plane to maximally rejuvenate your face.

Depending on your preference or health restrictions, he may perform your facelift under local anesthesia, IV sedation, or  general anesthesia in a certified outpatient setting with his outstanding team of anesthesiologists, nurses, and operating room technicians.

Be prepared to take some time off of work while you are in recovery. You may have 2 – 4 weeks of bruising, swelling, and moderate pain/soreness. Dr. Lee and his team at L Plastic Surgery team ask that you return for a follow-up appointment within that first week at home. We will document your progress, monitor your health, and answer any questions you have about your facelift recovery. Once you are healed, you can expect a smoother and younger-looking facial appearance. Overall, your face will appear lifted and rejuvenated.

You may return to full activity at 6 weeks.  Prior to that, the first 3 weeks are critical in the healing process to continue to wear compression and protect the incision and skin.

Which technique is best for me?
No need to worry about knowing exactly what you want in your facelift procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will examine your facial features, skin elasticity, and the severity of wrinkling or sagging on your face. He will also talk to you about your expectations of what a facelift can and cannot do for your facial appearance. It is a great idea to go into a consultation with an open mind and have realistic expectations as to what plastic surgery can do for your face. Dr. Lee will assist you in making a decision about the facelift technique you will need for amazing results.

Should I get a surgical or nonsurgical facelift?
If you have minimal wrinkling on your face, a cosmetic injectable, a dermal filler, or a noninvasive skin tightening procedure may be a better choice. It is when you have moderate-to-severe signs of aging that a facelift is warranted. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will discuss your choices, including nonsurgical treatments, to help you select what is best for your needs and cosmetic goals.

Should I get a "thread lift?"

A thread lift is not equal to a true FaceLift and does very almost nothing to the skin and SMAS.  Dr. Lee does not endorse this technique for any type of facial rejuvenation.   

What about wrinkle fillers and relaxers over facelift surgery?
Wrinkle fillers (Juvéderm) and wrinkle relaxers (BOTOX) have become very popular and accessible in recent years to improve fine lines and wrinkles. These nonsurgical anti-aging treatments work well for the early signs of aging, but the results won't last more than 1 – 2 years. A facelift can produce more dramatic, longer lasting improvements than a cosmetic injection session. Ask Dr. Lee about injectable treatments during your consultation.

We all want to age gracefully. With Dr. Lee, you can take on your aging facial skin with a cosmetic facelift. To hear more about this treatment, we invite you to call L Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA to schedule your appointment with Dr. Lee. You can consult with Dr. Lee for initial facelifts, secondary facelifts, and revision surgeries performed by another doctor. We look forward to meeting you.