Facelift in Cary, NC

Considering a Facelift? Here’s What You Should Know.

A facelift is one of the most effective ways to restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance by addressing sagging skin, jowls, deep facial folds, and loss of definition in the lower face and neck. Modern facelift techniques focus on repositioning underlying tissues rather than simply tightening the skin, helping patients look naturally refreshed rather than “pulled” or overdone.

At CARE Plastic Surgery, Dr. Brian S. Coan performs personalized facelift procedures for patients throughout Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the Triangle region. Every treatment plan is customized to the patient’s facial anatomy, aesthetic goals, and stage of aging.

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift, medically known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck. The procedure works by lifting and repositioning deeper facial tissues, removing excess skin, and restoring smoother, more youthful facial contours.

As we age, facial tissues naturally descend due to gravity, volume loss, changes in skin elasticity, and collagen depletion. A facelift addresses these structural changes in a way that non-surgical treatments often cannot.

Modern facelift surgery may improve:

• Sagging along the jawline
• Jowls
• Loose skin beneath the chin
• Deep nasolabial folds
• Marionette lines
• Loss of facial definition
• Neck laxity and banding

At CARE Plastic Surgery, Dr. Coan believes the most successful facelift results are those that look natural, balanced, and consistent with each patient’s unique features.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Most facelift patients are between their forties and seventies, although candidacy depends more on facial anatomy and skin quality than age alone.

You may be a candidate if you:

• Have moderate to significant facial sagging
• Notice jowls or loss of jawline definition
• Have loose skin beneath the chin or neck
• Feel that fillers and other non-surgical treatments are no longer providing the results you want
• Are in good overall health
• Do not smoke or are willing to stop smoking before surgery
• Have realistic expectations

The best way to determine candidacy is through a private consultation with Dr. Coan.

What Is the Best Age for a Facelift?

There is no single “best age” for a facelift.

Many patients choose facelift surgery in their fifties or sixties, while others benefit from treatment earlier. In fact, patients who undergo surgery before facial aging becomes severe often achieve some of the most natural-looking results because less correction is required.

The ideal timing depends on your anatomy, genetics, skin quality, and personal goals rather than a specific birthday.

Will a Facelift Look Natural?

This is one of the most common questions we hear.

When performed properly, a modern facelift should not make you look different. It should help you look like a more refreshed version of yourself.

Dr. Coan focuses on restoring natural facial contours by repositioning deeper structures of the face rather than creating tension on the skin. The goal is a result that appears rested, healthy, and age-appropriate.

Many patients tell us that friends and colleagues comment that they look refreshed without realizing they had surgery.

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

A mini facelift generally addresses mild to moderate aging in the lower face and jawline using shorter incisions and a more limited correction.

A traditional facelift addresses more advanced facial aging, including deeper tissue repositioning and improvement of both the face and neck.

Neither option is universally better. The right procedure depends on your anatomy and goals.

During your consultation, Dr. Coan will explain which approach is likely to provide the most effective and long-lasting outcome.

Is a Facelift Better Than Fillers?

Fillers and facelifts serve different purposes.

Dermal fillers restore volume, while a facelift repositions tissues that have descended over time.

For younger patients with early volume loss, fillers may be appropriate. However, when significant sagging develops, continuing to add filler often cannot replicate the improvement achieved with surgery.

Many patients who feel they look tired, heavy, or less defined despite regular injectables discover that a facelift offers a more comprehensive and longer-lasting solution.

What Procedures Are Commonly Combined With a Facelift?

Facial aging rarely affects only one area.

To create balanced rejuvenation, Dr. Coan frequently combines facelift surgery with:

• Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty)
• Brow lift
• Facial fat grafting
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Neck contouring

Combining procedures often allows patients to achieve more harmonious results while recovering only once.

What Is Recovery Like After a Facelift?

Recovery varies from patient to patient, but most individuals experience swelling, bruising, and tightness during the first several days.

Most patients:

• Return to light daily activities within approximately two weeks
• Feel comfortable in social settings after two to three weeks
• Resume exercise within four to six weeks
• Continue to see improvements as swelling resolves over several months

Dr. Coan and the CARE team provide detailed recovery instructions and ongoing support throughout the healing process.

How Long Do Facelift Results Last?

While no procedure can stop the aging process, facelift results are considered long-lasting.

Many patients enjoy improved facial contours for seven to ten years or longer.

Factors that influence longevity include:

• Genetics
• Skin quality
• Sun exposure
• Smoking history
• Weight fluctuations
• Overall health

Many patients choose periodic maintenance treatments such as Botox®, fillers, laser resurfacing, or medical-grade skincare to help preserve their results.

Why Choose CARE Plastic Surgery for a Facelift in Cary, NC?

Choosing your surgeon is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Dr. Brian S. Coan is a double board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons who has helped patients throughout Cary, Raleigh, Durham, Apex, and the Triangle region achieve natural-looking facial rejuvenation for more than a decade.

Patients choose CARE Plastic Surgery because of:

• Double board-certified expertise
• Personalized treatment planning
• Natural-looking results
• On-site accredited surgical facilities
• Comprehensive pre- and post-operative support
• A reputation built on trust, compassion, and consistency

Dr. Coan has been recognized as Cary Magazine’s Best Plastic Surgeon for eight consecutive years, earned Gold for Best Plastic Surgeon in the 2026 5-West Diamond Awards, and has been recognized by Durham Magazine readers every year since 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift Surgery

How painful is facelift recovery?

Most patients describe facelift recovery as more uncomfortable than painful. Tightness, swelling, and soreness are common during the first week and are typically well-controlled with prescribed medications.

Can a facelift improve my neck?

Yes. Most modern facelift procedures include improvement of the jawline and neck. Patients with significant neck laxity may benefit from additional neck contouring procedures.

Will I still age after a facelift?

Yes. A facelift turns back the clock, but it does not stop the natural aging process. You will continue to age, typically from a more youthful starting point.

How soon will I see my final results?

Patients generally see significant improvement within several weeks, but final results continue to refine as swelling resolves over several months.

Do patients travel from Raleigh, Apex, and Durham for facelift surgery?

Absolutely. CARE Plastic Surgery regularly welcomes patients from Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Morrisville, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and throughout North Carolina.

Schedule Your Facelift Consultation in Cary, NC

If you are considering facelift surgery and would like a personalized recommendation from a double board-certified plastic surgeon, we invite you to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Brian S. Coan.

Our team proudly serves patients from Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Durham, Chapel Hill, and throughout the Triangle region. We look forward to helping you explore your options and determine the approach that best aligns with your goals.