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Are you looking to reverse the signs of aging and restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance? A facelift is a surgery that effectively addresses wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of facial volume, delivering transformative and natural-looking results. Learn more about how you can achieve a more youthful-looking appearance with a Facelift at Rostami OPC in McLean, Virginia.
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What is a Facelift?
A Facelift is a cosmetic procedure designed to rejuvenate the face by removing excess skin, tightening underlying tissues, and repositioning the skin on the face and neck. This procedure helps to smooth out deep folds and lift drooping skin, resulting in a firmer and more youthful facial appearance. Facelifts can be tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs and are often performed with other rejuvenating procedures like eyelid surgery, neck lifts, or brow lifts. Our Facelift procedures include:
Standard Facelift
The standard facelift addresses moderate-to-severe signs of aging that affect the midface and neck. During the procedure, your plastic surgeon makes small incisions around your ears and temple at your hairline to lift your skin, remove any excess skin and fat, and then reposition the muscles and fat to rejuvenate your look.
Lower Facelift
Your surgeon may recommend a lower-facelift if you have only mild skin sagging and jowling. During the minimally invasive procedure, small incisions are made along the hairline around your ear to lift and refresh sagging cheeks and jowls.
Dr. Soheila Rostami
MD, FAAO, FAACS/ CEO and Medical Director
MEET OUR SPECIALIST
Oculofacial plastic surgeon Soheila Rostami, MD, FAAO, FAACS, is the medical director and CEO of Rostami OPC in Reston, Virginia. In addition to Rostami…
Benefits of a Facelift
A facelift offers a wide range of transformative benefits that go well beyond surface-level improvements, making it one of the most impactful cosmetic surgeries available today. Unlike non-surgical treatments that provide temporary or modest results, a facelift delivers long-lasting facial rejuvenation by addressing the deeper structural layers of the face and neck. Patients frequently report not only a dramatic improvement in their physical appearance but also a renewed sense of self-confidence and vitality following their procedure.
One of the most significant benefits of a facelift is its ability to turn back the clock on multiple signs of aging in a single procedure. Deep facial folds, sagging jowls, loss of jawline definition, and excess neck skin can all be corrected simultaneously, creating a harmonious and balanced result. The procedure is highly customizable, meaning your surgeon can focus on the specific areas that concern you most while preserving the natural contours that make you look like yourself.
Facelift results are also far more enduring than injectable treatments or skin-tightening procedures, with most patients enjoying their rejuvenated appearance for seven to ten years or more. By addressing the underlying muscle and tissue structures rather than just the skin’s surface, a facelift produces a natural-looking outcome that avoids the “pulled” or overdone appearance that some patients fear. Ultimately, the goal of a facelift at Rostami OPC is to help you look refreshed, rested, and like the best version of yourself.
Key benefits of a facelift include:
- Reduction of deep wrinkles, folds, and creases
- Improved definition along the jawline and neck
- Lifted, firmer cheeks and midface
- Correction of sagging jowls
- Long-lasting, natural-looking results
- Customizable to your unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals
- Can be combined with complementary procedures for comprehensive rejuvenation
How Does a Facelift Work?
A facelift works by surgically addressing the underlying causes of facial aging rather than simply treating the visible surface of the skin. As we age, the skin loses elasticity, facial fat redistributes or decreases, and the muscles and connective tissues of the face begin to descend due to gravity and time. A facelift corrects these changes at their source, producing results that are both dramatic and natural-looking.
The procedure begins with Dr. Rostami making carefully placed incisions, typically along the hairline at the temples, continuing around the ear and into the lower scalp. These strategic incision placements are designed to keep any scarring well hidden within the natural contours of the hairline and ear. Once the incisions are made, Dr. Rostami will gently lift the skin away from the deeper facial tissues to access the underlying structures.
The deeper muscular layer, known as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), is then lifted and repositioned to restore the youthful contours of the face. Repositioning this layer is what separates a modern facelift from older techniques and is responsible for producing long-lasting, natural-looking outcomes. Excess fat may also be removed or redistributed, and any surplus skin is carefully trimmed before the incisions are closed with fine sutures.
At Rostami OPC, every facelift procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes two to four hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the surgery and whether any complementary procedures are performed at the same time. Our team prioritizes both safety and aesthetic excellence, ensuring that each step of the procedure is performed with meticulous precision and an artistic eye for natural-looking results.
Treatment Areas with a Facelift
A facelift is one of the most versatile cosmetic surgical procedures available because it can simultaneously improve multiple areas of the face and neck in a single operation. Understanding which areas can be treated helps patients develop realistic expectations and have more productive conversations with their surgeon during the consultation process. At Rostami OPC, our specialists take a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation, carefully evaluating each patient’s anatomy to determine which areas will benefit most from treatment.
Midface and Cheeks
The midface is one of the first areas to show visible signs of aging, as the cheek fat pads descend and flatten over time, creating a hollowed appearance beneath the eyes and flattened cheekbones. A facelift restores volume and lift to the cheeks, bringing them back to a higher, more youthful position and improving the overall proportions of the face.
Jawline and Jowls
Loss of jawline definition and the development of jowls are among the most common concerns that bring patients to consider a facelift. By lifting and repositioning the skin and underlying tissues along the lower face, a facelift restores a clean, defined jawline and eliminates the sagging that can make the face look heavy or tired.
Neck and Under-Chin Area
Excess skin, horizontal neck bands (known as platysmal bands), and fatty deposits beneath the chin can all be addressed during a facelift procedure. The neck component of a facelift creates a smoother, more sculpted neck profile that complements the improvements made to the face above. In some cases, a dedicated neck lift may be recommended alongside the facelift for optimal results.
Nasolabial Folds
The deep lines that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, called nasolabial folds, are significantly improved through facelift surgery. By lifting and repositioning the soft tissue of the midface, Dr. Rostami can reduce the depth and prominence of these folds for a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Lower Face and Mouth Area
Marionette lines, which run downward from the corners of the mouth, and general laxity in the lower face are also effectively treated during a facelift. Correcting these areas helps to eliminate the downward, tired, or sad expression that aging in the lower face can create, restoring a more energetic resting appearance.
Who is a Candidate for a Facelift
Ideal candidates for a facelift are those who experience moderate to severe facial wrinkling and sagging skin, typically in their 40s to 70s. Candidates should be in good general health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations about the results. We recommend scheduling a consultation at Rostami OPC to determine if a facelift suits you. During your consultation, our specialists will evaluate your facial structure, skin quality, and aesthetic goals to determine if a facelift is the right option for you.
Facelift Before & After
The Facelift procedure at Rostami OPC is performed under general anesthesia and takes about two to four hours to complete, depending on the extent of the surgery. Incisions are typically made around the hairline and behind the ears to minimize visible scarring. The surgeon will carefully lift and reposition the facial skin and muscles through these incisions, remove excess skin, and tighten the remaining skin.
Before Your Facelift
Proper preparation before your facelift is just as important as the surgery itself and plays a critical role in ensuring the safest possible procedure and the smoothest recovery. During your consultation at Rostami OPC, Dr. Rostami will provide you with a comprehensive set of preoperative instructions tailored specifically to your health history and treatment plan. Following these guidelines closely will help minimize the risk of complications and set the stage for outstanding results.
In the weeks leading up to your facelift, you will be asked to stop taking blood-thinning medications, supplements, and herbal remedies that can increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. These can include aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, and certain herbal teas.
If you are a smoker, it is strongly recommended that you stop smoking at least four to six weeks before your surgery date, as smoking significantly impairs blood flow to the skin and can interfere with proper wound healing. You should also arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home on the day of your procedure and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours following surgery. Preparing a comfortable recovery area at home in advance, stocked with prescribed medications, soft foods, and essentials within easy reach, will make the initial recovery period far more manageable.
You will be asked to avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight on the night before your procedure, in keeping with standard anesthesia protocols. Our team at Rostami OPC is always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have in the days leading up to your surgery.
Facelift Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from a facelift involves a period of rest and careful aftercare, with most patients needing approximately two weeks before returning to their normal daily activities. Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are completely normal in the days following surgery and can be managed effectively with prescribed pain medication and cold compresses. It is important to keep your head elevated, even while sleeping, during the first week of recovery to help reduce swelling and promote healthy circulation.
During the initial recovery phase, you should avoid any strenuous physical activity, heavy lifting, or bending over, as these activities can elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of swelling or bleeding. Most patients find that they are comfortable enough to engage in light walking within the first few days, which also helps promote healthy circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. Vigorous exercise and more demanding physical activities should be avoided for at least four to six weeks following surgery or until Dr. Rostami gives you clearance.
You may experience some tightness, numbness, or tingling in the treated areas as the nerves and tissues heal, which is a normal part of the recovery process. These sensations gradually resolve over the weeks and months following surgery as the healing progresses. Any sutures or drainage tubes, if placed, are typically removed within the first one to two weeks during your follow-up appointments at Rostami OPC.
It is also important to protect your skin from direct sun exposure during the healing process, as UV rays can darken scars and slow the healing of incision lines. Wearing SPF 30 or higher sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat whenever you are outdoors is strongly recommended for at least three months post-procedure. Our team will also schedule several follow-up visits to monitor your healing, address any concerns, and ensure that you are on track for the best possible long-term outcome.
Facelift Results
The results of your facelift become visible once your swelling and bruising subside, typically within several weeks following your procedure. As your skin continues to settle and heal over the following months, the full outcome of your surgery will reveal a firmer, smoother, and more youthful facial appearance.
The results of a facelift are long-lasting, with most patients enjoying their rejuvenated look for seven to ten years or more, depending on their skin quality, lifestyle, and age at the time of surgery. Maintaining a healthy skincare routine, protecting your skin from sun exposure, and attending regular follow-up appointments at Rostami OPC can help extend and preserve your results over time.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are considering a facelift to rejuvenate your appearance, schedule a consultation at Rostami OPC if you are in McLean, Virginia, or the surrounding areas of Falls Church, Odricks Corner, or Arlington, Virginia.
What is a facelift, and how does the procedure work?
Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
What areas of the face can a facelift improve?
How long do facelift results typically last?
What is the recovery process like after a facelift?
Will a facelift leave visible scars?
Can a facelift be combined with other cosmetic procedures?
How does a facelift differ from a mini facelift?
Is a facelift painful, and is anesthesia required?
What should I expect during a facelift consultation?
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Are you ready to explore your cosmetic treatment options? Schedule a consultation with us at our McLean, Virginia location. Our expert team is here to discuss your aesthetic goals and create a personalized treatment plan tailored just for you. Contact us today to take the first step towards your rejuvenation journey at Rostami OPC.
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