Questions about Facelifts

Your facelift procedure will be customized by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Dean Kleto. Dr. Kleto offers both full and mini-facelifts. Your procedure will be tailored to meet your specific needs. In all facelift procedures, skin is separated from muscle to allow Dr. Kleto to firm muscle, remove excess skin and, when necessary, remove excess fat. Skin is then tightened around your newly firmed muscles for a natural-looking, more youthful appearance.

You will be fitted with surgical dressing following your facelift. Swelling, bruising, and some minimal pain are common during the first few weeks. Depending on the type of facelift you choose and your level of comfort being seen during your recovery, you may be able to resume some activities shortly after your facelift. Many people choose to wait two to three weeks before making an appearance to allow swelling to subside.

Most people are able to resume working within ten to 14 days. This will depend on your comfort level. Strenuous activities should be avoided for two to four weeks. Dr. Kleto will help you determine when these are okay to resume. Sun exposure should be limited during your recovery period as well.

The results from your facelift will be noticeable as soon as swelling goes down. Bruising can last a bit longer, but this will depend on your body’s natural healing response. Dr. Kleto uses the natural folds of your skin to hide scars, but some scarring may be noticeable for several months. These will fade with time. Visible scarring can further be reduced with laser skin resurfacing.

A facelift can provide long-lasting results, but cannot stop the aging process. Proper skin care can certainly help extend your results. In addition, nonsurgical cosmetic procedures can be used to enhance your results when signs of aging begin to reappear. Dr. Kleto can discuss your options with you during your initial consultation.