Facelift in Raleigh & Cary, NC

Yes, a facelift can produce facial rejuvenation, providing an overall more youthful appearance. In aesthetics, there are three types of facial aging: skin texture changes, volume loss, and shape changes. Skin texture changes are best addressed with quality skincare regimens that incorporate both products and resurfacing treatments. Volume loss is targeted with dermal fillers, and shape changes are addressed with more invasive procedures such as surgery. Facelift procedures serve to correct age-related shape changes, specifically in the lower third of the face where jowling occurs. Contrarily, skin treatments correct skin quality by addressing a multitude of concerns, including superficial wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation, sun damage, and more.

There are various types of facial aging, including skin quality decline, shape changes, and volume changes. For example, facial shape changes are typically addressed and corrected with surgical intervention. Skin quality is best addressed with more conservative measures, such as proper skincare, resurfacing treatments, and consistent maintenance. However, there are a few surgical procedures that can address skin laxity. FaceTite is a procedure that utilizes radiofrequency heat energy to increase collagen production. This can serve to secondarily tighten the skin in the treated area (typically the jowls and jawline).

Here at CARE Plastic Surgery, we offer a variety of services and treatments that can help address excess fat in the chin and submental area. Some patients may choose a surgical procedure, such as liposuction. Contrarily, if a patient is more concerned with loose skin in this region, appropriate treatments may include FaceTite and/or Morpheus (microneedling with radiofrequency energy).

With a facelift or any other cosmetic surgery, we recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to help ensure the best quality of care. We also recommend having a great support system during your recovery period.

Common methods to reduce post-procedural swelling include R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compress, and elevate). Our post-operative protocol includes reclined sleeping, a facial compression sling, and limited activity levels. Additionally, avoiding certain medications prior to treatment and procedure can help minimize swelling. We recommend patients discontinue any use of NSAIDS or other blood-thinning agents (fish oil, vitamin E, red wine, etc.)

There are several options available to those seeking to tighten their jawline. One option most patients often overlook is injectables, particularly dermal fillers. With the appropriate product and treatment plan, fillers can be used to restore volume in facial regions to provide an overall rejuvenated appearance. Other minimally invasive treatments to tighten the facial skin include Morpheus and Forma, which both utilize radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production. Alternatively, FaceTite is a surgical procedure that utilizes radiofrequency heat energy to tighten the appearance of jowls.

In efforts to reduce overall swelling, we recommend our patients follow our standard post-operative instructions. These include limiting activity, increasing water intake, avoiding high sodium foods, and sleeping upright for the first two weeks after surgery.

While patients can expect to continue to age, there are recommendations we encourage patients to implement into their day-to-day regimens. Proper skincare routines with medical-grade products serve to improve, maintain, and protect skin quality, further enhancing your facelift results. Oftentimes, taking care of yourself and maintaining good health secondarily benefits your skin. This can be done with simple habits such as staying hydrated, limiting sun exposure, and abstaining from smoking/nicotine use.

To reduce the risk of postoperative complications, we recommend our patients wait until 6 weeks after surgery before resuming normal exercise routines. We want to avoid any increase in heart rate or blood pressure to minimize complications.

Every patient responds differently to major surgery. With most patients who receive a facelift, bruising tends to resolve by approximately two weeks after surgery.

Contrary to patient expectations, facelifts tend to be far less painful than expected. Pain control begins before the operation starts with local anesthesia and careful attention to local sensory nerves. Post-operatively, patients find they feel a sense of tightness but are quite comfortable with regard to pain. Postoperative pain control is usually managed with oral pain medication for approximately 2-5 days as needed.

Commonly misunderstood as a procedure to improve nasolabial folds, or the line between your lip and cheek, a facelift in fact is most useful in improving the jawline and correcting age-related jowls. Facelift procedures serve to address age-related changes primarily in the lower half of the face, such as jowling and other shape changes. This is the area where a patient can expect to see maximum improvement in their overall facial aesthetic from a facelift. The procedure can also, and is often, paired with other surgical procedures to address various aspects of the face. These procedures include a brow lift, neck lift, and more.

People age at different rates, and both skin laxity and early jowling can occur as early as in the 40s. Some patients prefer to wait longer until the jowls are extremely bothersome, while other patients prefer to intervene sooner. With limited jowling, a less invasive procedure may be available to sharpen the jawline and improve the early signs of aging without a full facelift. However, as the jowl becomes more noticeable, usually in the mid-50s to mid-60s, a facelift will likely be the appropriate procedure. The sagging jowl is lifted and the jawline tightened. Most importantly, the facelift corrects the lower third of the face and the cheeks. Additional procedures can be performed concurrently to address aging in the eyes and neck.

A facelift is often recommended for patients displaying moderate to severe jowls, or significant sagging in the lower third of the face. Non-surgical treatments like fillers and resurfacing procedures address volume or skin-related concerns, while a facelift addresses shape-related changes, offering a more dramatic and long-lasting solution for racial rejuvenation.

A facelift can be combined with a neck lift procedure to remove excess skin and tighten underlying structures. A neck lift enhances the contour of the jawline and neck, creating a more youthful appearance that complements facial rejuvenation.

Yes, a facelift can slightly improve the appearance of deep nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth) and marionette lines (lines that run from the corners of the mouth downward). By lifting and tightening the underlying tissues, the folds and lines are softened, contributing to a more youthful appearance. However, it is important to note there are various types of facial aging, including shape-related changes, volume-related changes, and skin-related changes. Surgery, or a facelift, addresses shape-related changes, while volume-related changes (such as deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines) represent a loss of volume, which is best addressed through dermal fillers.

Modern facelift techniques focus on restoring a natural facial contour rather than an overly tightened or unnatural appearance. Techniques like MACS (minimal access cranial suspension) facelifts allow surgeons to reposition deeper tissues and redistribute fat more naturally, achieving results that look rejuvenated yet natural.

A facelift can be combined with several procedures. Fat grafting restores lost volume, and laser resurfacing can improve skin texture, tone, and fine lines. Together, these treatments address multiple signs of facial aging for a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation.

A facelift (rhytidectomy) lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face and neck to reverse the effects of gravity and aging — not just the surface skin. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), facelift surgery is one of the most effective procedures for addressing visible signs of facial aging. At CARE Plastic Surgery, Dr. Brian Coan, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, focuses on restoring the cheeks, jawline, and neck while avoiding the pulled or windswept look patients fear most. In Dr. Coan's words: "I find patients appreciate the extra touches our office offers, including direct communication with the physician or provider and a thorough explanation of what to expect before, during, and after treatment. When patients know what is happening and why, they feel much more at ease throughout the process."

According to Dr. Brian Coan, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, a well-executed facelift typically lasts 7 to 10 years or longer. Patients continue to look significantly younger than they would have without surgery — especially with consistent skincare and periodic maintenance treatments.

A traditional facelift provides comprehensive rejuvenation of the mid-face, lower face, and neck, and is best suited for patients in their 50s and beyond. A mini facelift uses shorter incisions and is well-suited for younger patients, typically in their late 30s and 40s, with early jowling or mild jawline laxity. Dr. Brian Coan evaluates each patient individually to determine which approach will deliver the most natural and lasting result.

No. When performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, a facelift should make you look like a rested, refreshed version of yourself — not like a different person. Dr. Brian Coan's advanced technique addresses the underlying facial tissues rather than just pulling the skin, which is what produces the overdone appearance associated with older surgical methods. As Dr. Coan explains, "The goal with plastic and aesthetic procedures is not to make patients look different. The goal is to help them look like what they perceive to be the best version of themselves. The most successful outcomes are where friends and family notice you look refreshed, or 'well-rested,' without knowing exactly why."

Most facelift patients need one to two weeks away from work, with bruising and swelling largely resolved by the end of week two. According to Dr. Brian Coan, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, vigorous exercise and strenuous activity can typically resume after four weeks. Every patient heals differently, and Dr. Coan provides a personalized recovery plan at your consultation. Dr. Coan notes that most patients are surprised that recovery for shorter procedures, such as liposuction, breast augmentation with Preserve, or eyelid lifts, is often easier than they expected. It's important to follow instructions closely before and after surgery, as this is one of the most important factors in a smooth recovery.

Yes, it is very common to combine a facelift with a neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, facial fat grafting, or laser skin resurfacing in a single operation. Dr. Brian Coan often recommends combining procedures to reduce overall recovery time and allow the entire face to be rejuvenated in harmony. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) notes that combined facial procedures are among the most frequently performed combinations in cosmetic surgery.

The cost of a facelift at CARE Plastic Surgery varies depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether it is combined with other treatments. Dr. Brian Coan provides a detailed, personalized quote during your consultation. CARE offers financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and PatientFi. As Dr. Brian Coan, Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, emphasizes: "Patients should never choose a surgeon based solely on price. Credentials of both the surgeon and the operative suite, safety, experience, training, and trust should always come first. Aesthetic and plastic surgery is something you live with every day after the procedure is done."

There is no single right age for a facelift. The right time is when sagging cheeks, jowls, or neck laxity are bothering you, and surgery can meaningfully address them. Dr. Brian Coan, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, notes that patients in their late 30s and 40s often benefit from a mini facelift, while those in their 50s and beyond are typically better candidates for a traditional facelift.

As with any surgical procedure, a facelift carries risks including bleeding, infection, scarring, and changes in skin sensation. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, these risks are significantly reduced when surgery is performed by a highly trained, board-certified plastic surgeon. At CARE Plastic Surgery, Dr. Brian Coan will review your full medical history and all potential risks in detail during your consultation. As Dr. Coan puts it plainly: "Every decision we make begins with safety. An excellent result only happens when achieved safely and responsibly."

Facelifts are cosmetic procedures and are not covered by health insurance. However, CARE Plastic Surgery offers financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and PatientFi to make your procedure more accessible.

Most patients report that days two and three following facelift surgery are the most challenging, with swelling and tightness reaching their peak. According to Dr. Brian Coan, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, this is completely normal and expected. Keeping your head elevated, using cold compresses as directed, and taking prescribed medication consistently makes a significant difference. By the end of the first week, the majority of patients feel considerably more comfortable.

The most common pre-facelift mistakes Dr. Brian Coan sees include stopping blood-thinning medications too late, undergoing filler treatments too close to surgery, not disclosing all supplements and herbal products, and arriving at surgery while still smoking. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons strongly advises patients to stop smoking for at least four to six weeks before and after surgery, as nicotine dramatically impairs healing and increases complication risk.

Dr. Brian Coan recommends asking every surgeon you consult: Are you board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? How many facelifts do you perform annually? Can I see before-and-after photos of actual patients? What technique do you use, and why? What happens if I have a complication? Board certification through the ABPS is the gold-standard credential, requiring rigorous training, examinations, and ethical standards beyond a general medical license. As Dr. Brian Coan puts it, "One of the biggest mistakes patients make is comparing themselves to someone they saw on social media. During your consultation, my job is to understand your goals, evaluate your unique anatomy, and help you determine what is realistically achievable. The best results happen when expectations and surgical planning are united from the start."

Fillers are excellent for patients with early volume loss and minimal skin laxity, providing immediate, no-downtime results lasting one to two years. A facelift, however, is the only procedure that physically lifts and repositions sagging facial tissues — something no injectable can replicate. According to Dr. Brian Coan, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, many patients do both: fillers for maintenance in their 30s and 40s, and a facelift when structural laxity becomes the primary concern. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery notes that combining surgical and non-surgical approaches often produces the most comprehensive and natural-looking outcomes.