Facelift

  • 3+ Hour Surgery
  • Back to Work: 1-2 Weeks

At The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, our exceptional plastic surgeons consider the mini facelift the procedure of choice for people who want to look years younger. Certain patients are better suited to a more invasive traditional facelift, including those with deep wrinkles on the lower face and pronounced sagging in the cheek, jawline, and neck. By choosing the most appropriate facelift technique for each patient from Denver, Colorado Springs, and surrounding areas, our surgeons consistently provide personalized facial rejuvenation that looks natural and lasts many years.

Facelift
 Before & After Photos

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Before & After Mini Facelift Case 96 View #1 View in Golden, CO
Before / After
Case: 1 of 8

Case #96

These photos show another patient who needed just a mini face lift in Denver with Dr. Vath to achieve very pleasing results. Since her eyes and the rest of her upper face were in good shape, the patient and Dr. Vath decided together that a mini face lift would be sufficient for her without the brow lift and blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift... Read More
Surgeon: Steven D. Vath, M.D.
Before & After Mini Facelift Case 65 View #1 View in Golden, CO
Before / After
Case: 2 of 8

Case #65

Most of us consider ourselves very fortunate to live here in Colorado, with the natural beauty of our state to enjoy and dozens of outdoor activities to engage in. But we pay a price when it comes to the impact of our climate on our skin. Even younger people’s skin can show the effects of dry, cold air and bright sunlight, making th... Read More
Surgeon: Steven D. Vath, M.D.
Before & After Mini Facelift Case 11485 Front View in Golden, CO
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8

Case #11485

This is a 56 year old woman who wanted to look refreshed and younger. She went to Dr. Steven Vath and had a mini-facelift to improve her lower face, jawline and neck. She also underwent a mini-browlift and upper blepharoplasty to reduce the hooding over her eyes and decrease the excess skin on her lids. Post-operative pictures are... Read More
Surgeon: Steven D. Vath, M.D.
Before & After Neck Lift Case 826 View #1 View in Golden, CO
Before / After (2 months)
Case: 4 of 8

Case #826

58 year-old female who was concerned about her lower face/jowl areas, as well as her aging neck. She also expressed interest in having an arch returned to her brow area, and improvement of "hooding" of her upper lateral eye areas.  She indeed underwent a mini-facelift/neck lift (with limited incisions around the ears only), as well as a... Read More
Surgeon: Paul M. Steinwald, M.D.
Before & After Mini Facelift Case 394 View #1 View in Golden, CO
Before / After
Case: 5 of 8

Case #394

This 62-year-old woman underwent a Mini-facelift with a platysmaplasty. She is shown before and 5 months after her procedure.
Surgeon: Andrew J. Wolfe, M.D.
Before & After Mini Facelift Case 26 View #1 View in Golden, CO
Before / After
Case: 6 of 8

Case #26

The results of a mini facelift can often be quite remarkable, even for patients who are a bit older than the average Denver facelift patient. These before and after images of this 60 year old patient of Dr. Wolfe demonstrate the possibilities.The mini facelift procedure starts with small incisions made where your face meets your e... Read More
Surgeon: Andrew J. Wolfe, M.D.
Before & After Mini Facelift Case 287 View #1 View in Golden, CO
Before / After
Case: 7 of 8

Case #287

This 54-year-old woman wanted to improve the shape of her lower face, and felt that she always looked tired.  She underwent a mini-facelift with anterior platysmaplasty.  She is shown 6 weeks after her procedure, with dramatically improved neck, jowl, and nasolabial fold contour. Read More
Surgeon: Andrew J. Wolfe, M.D.
Before & After Neck Lift Case 691 View #1 View in Golden, CO
BEFORE / AFTER (1 mo)
Case: 8 of 8

Case #691

This 65 year-old woman came to us wishing to address her progressive signs of lower facial aging.  She was advised that she was an excellent candidate for a "mini-facelift" approach (avoiding a neck incision), which was indeed performed as an outpatient.  She was very pleased with her rapid recovery and results (which are shown here... Read More
Surgeon: Paul M. Steinwald, M.D.

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift is a facial plastic surgery procedure that rejuvenates the lower 2/3 of the face; it does not address the forehead, brows, or eye area. At CCS, a traditional facelift combines the mini facelift with submental resection to tighten the neck muscles through an incision under the chin.

A Reputation Built on Results

I can't say enough positive things about this practice. The staff and Dr Freeman are fantastic, I appreciated...
I had top surgery with Dr.Steinwald and I couldn’t be happier with my results. Everyone I interacted...
Dr Vath and his entire staff are extremely knowledgeable, skilled, professional and supportive! Their...
I had a consultation with Dr. Freeman and I was very impressed with the entire experience. First, the...

What Is the Difference Between a Mini Facelift and a Facelift?

In general, a facelift addresses more significant aging of the lower face than a mini facelift.

Why Is a Mini Facelift Best for Most Patients?

With a mini facelift, our surgeons can provide satisfying results for most patients with minimal scarring and without affecting the hairline. The mini facelift addresses the most common reasons people seek facelift surgery:

  • Folds and wrinkles around the mouth
  • Sagging cheeks and jowls
  • Loss of definition along the jawline and neck

How Is a Traditional Facelift Performed?

Our surgeons perform facelift surgery as an outpatient procedure using light general anesthesia. The incision begins in the hair-bearing scalp at the sideburn, travels down in front of the ear, then under the earlobe and into the hairline behind the ear. Through the incision, the surgeon lifts and tightens the underlying structures. He also creates a second incision beneath the chin to tighten the vertical muscle bands of the neck and remove fat under the chin with liposuction if needed. Once complete, he re-drapes the skin over the reshaped facial structures without tension, removes the excess, and closes the incisions with fine sutures.

Facelift guide

Step-By-Step

Facelift Surgery Guide

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How Long Is Recovery After a Facelift?

While experiences vary, most patients have only mild discomfort for the first few days after facelift surgery. Expect recovery to progress along the following general timeline:

  • 1 to 2 days: Bandages and compression wrap are removed
  • 1 to 2 weeks: Swelling and bruising subside
  • 10 days to 2 weeks: Ready to resume nonstrenuous work and exercise
  • 4 weeks: Ready to ease back into physical jobs and strenuous exercise
  • 6 to 12 weeks: Facial tightness eases
  • 3 to 6 months: Final results attained

Can I Combine My Facelift With Other Procedures?

Yes. Because facial aging is usually not limited to the lower face and neck, our surgeons often combine facelift surgery with other procedures, including:

  • Brow lift surgery repositions and reshapes the eyebrows.
  • Eyelid surgery corrects hooded upper eyelids and puffy undereye bags.
  • Liposuction reduces a double chin and other pockets of unwanted fat.
  • Fat grafting fills in tear troughs and hollows around the eyes and restores volume to the cheeks.

Our Exceptional Plastic Surgeons

Dr. Steven Vath, Dr. Andrew Wolfe, Dr. Paul Steinwald, and Dr. Matthew Freeman

Facelift FAQ

What is the best age to get a facelift?

The “best” age for a facelift is not a number; instead, it is when nonsurgical aesthetic treatments do not provide the rejuvenation you desire. Patients are typically in their 40s to 60s and should be healthy and have good skin elasticity.

When will I be ready to be seen in public?

Patients are typically ready to be seen by others in 4 weeks.

What makes today’s facelifts look natural?

Modern facelift techniques tighten more than the skin of the face; they reposition the structure between the skin and muscle called the SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) to avoid a tight, windblown look.

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Reviews & Testimonials

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How much younger will I look after a facelift?

After a traditional facelift, patients typically look like themselves only 10 years younger.

How long do the results last?

Traditional facelift results last approximately 10 years. This time frame varies with the patient’s age at the time of surgery, skin elasticity, sun exposure, lifestyle, and other factors. While the surgery cannot stop the aging process, patients continually look younger than if they had not had the surgery.

What are my next steps?

Our plastic surgeons apply current yet proven techniques to achieve facelift results that speak for themselves. The Center for Cosmetic Surgery has two plastic surgery offices conveniently located in the Denver metropolitan area. One is located just outside Denver in lovely Golden, Colorado, immediately off 6th Avenue West; the other is near downtown in Cherry Creek, Denver. To learn what facial plastic surgery can do for you, request your consultation using our online form or call  (303) 278-2600 for an appointment.