Picture Your Results in 3D
At Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, we offer the state-of-the-art VECTRA® XT 3D imaging system to capture face, breast, and body images to help simulate your surgical outcomes during your consultation.
Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery
247 Calhoun St.
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-5904
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Skin Clinic hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
While nonsurgical treatments are excellent for facial rejuvenation, at some point, sagging, volume loss, and other signs of aging in the lower face, along the jawline, and on the neck require the talent of a board-certified plastic surgeon to correct. Women and men come to Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery for facelift surgery in Charleston, SC, to look years younger yet very natural.
Featured Facelift Before + After Photos
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Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, technically called rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to improve visible signs of aging around the lower half of a patient’s face. As a surgical procedure, it is able to address the most severe cases of facial aging that are not correctable through minimally invasive or nonsurgical procedures alone.
The term facelift can be slightly misleading to the average person since it only addresses the mid to lower areas of the facial structure. Other procedures, like a brow lift and eyelid surgery, are designed to address the upper portions of the facial structure.
How Much Does Facelift Surgery Cost in Charleston, SC?
Because facelift procedures vary widely with patient needs, the price also varies. Patients are provided with a personalized quote as part of their consultation with one of our plastic surgeons.
Why Do We Need Facelifts?
Aging is a complex process. Not only because of the medical issues it can present, but also because of the changes to our appearance that it causes. For many people, developing sagging skin in just one area of their face can present unique challenges, but the aging process comes for all of our skin indiscriminately.
In fact, by the age of 20, the average person will begin to lose 1% of their collagen production every year. Collagen is an essential protein that is responsible for keeping our skin taut and youthful. So it comes as no surprise that significant changes are occurring to our skin by the age of 25 or 30.
There are some minimally invasive procedures on the market that are really good at treating mild to moderate skin laxity or volume loss, but at some point, the amount of collagen loss and skin degradation will become too significant for those treatments to work effectively.
In those cases, a facelift is the only option we have if we want to restore our confidence and once again feel good about our appearance. In short, we need facelifts because there are no alternatives to reversing the aging process.
Crantford, Costa, & UlmOur Expert Surgeons
Trust your beauty to the very best Charleston has to offer. Our board-certified plastic surgeons have the skill and experience to elevate your look from head to toe.
Dr. Crantford Dr. Costa Dr. UlmWhat Does a Facelift Treat?
Facelifts aim to correct an array of aesthetic concerns on the face that develop as we go through the aging process. Unfortunately, these concerns often have a significant negative impact on our facial contours, making us appear much older than we mentally feel.
Here are some of the conditions that a facelift looks to correct in the mid to lower portions of the face:
- Jowls
- Double chins
- Turkey neck
- Deep folds and wrinkles
- Volume loss
- Other skin sagging
What Is the Right Age to Get a Facelift?
There is no such thing as the right age to get a facelift. We determine whether someone will benefit from a facelift based on their physical appearance and symptoms, not their age. Some people develop wrinkles and sagging skin much more quickly than others, so it does not make sense to create barriers when everyone ages differently.
If you are on the younger side, you can still have the procedure performed if your symptoms cannot be treated by nonsurgical or minimally invasive options. Even if you are only in the moderate stage of these symptoms, it might make more sense for your lifestyle or situation to have surgery performed.
It also doesn’t matter how old you are — if you are strong and healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and surgery, it is never too late to decide you want to improve your appearance. Aesthetic medicine is all about making you feel good in your skin, regardless of whether you are 20 or 120.
Am I a Candidate for Facelift?
While there are no limits placed on age, a facelift is a surgical procedure at the end of the day, which means some people may not be able to undergo this treatment safely. Luckily, these situations are rare, but you should know that the best candidates for this procedure are those who:
- Do not smoke
- Do not excessively consume alcohol
- Do not use drugs
- Are free from problematic underlying conditions
- Are in a healthy weight range
- Are in good general health
- Live an active lifestyle
Additionally, we also make sure to tell every potential candidate that they should have a realistic idea of what facelift surgery can achieve. Look at before & after photos and read up on what you can expect. This prevents you from being disappointed in an otherwise successful facelift procedure.
How Should I Prepare for a Facelift?
Prior to your surgery day, you will likely be given a list of preoperative instructions to follow. These details will help ensure that you take the proper steps toward a safe facelift in the days and weeks leading up to your procedure.
You should immediately stop smoking — any amount of tobacco use increases the likelihood of developing a surgical complication and will damage your ability to attain an easy recovery and ideal results.
One of the best ways to set yourself up for success during your recovery is to prepare a recovery station before your surgery. Wherever you will be resting, make sure all of the essentials are within arms reach: chargers, devices, remotes, snacks, drinks, medications, books, etc. The success of your early recovery will depend entirely on getting quality rest and only moving when necessary. Have a friend or loved one nearby to help out with any responsibilities as well.
What Are My Facelift Options?
There are three main facelift options available to patients: the mini facelift, standard facelift, and neck lift.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a technique that uses smaller incisions that go only around the ear. While it provides less access for your surgeon to remove and adjust tissue, it is an ideal solution for patients who only need small amounts of correction. The scarring is much more minimal, and the recovery is often much easier on the patient as well.
Standard Facelift
This is the traditional facelift approach which includes incisions that go around the bottom of the ear and up through the hairline toward the top of the scalp. This provides your surgeon with the most access to the skin tissue and, consequently, the most amount of correction. This is the ideal option for people looking to treat moderate to severe cases of skin laxity.
Neck Lift
If a patient is experiencing severe skin laxity in the area beneath the neck, an additional set of incisions that extend to the back of the hairline might also be performed. This additional access will allow your surgeon to pull and tighten the skin in the neck along with the facial skin.
What Should I Expect From a Facelift Procedure?
A facelift procedure can be broken into four major steps: anesthesia, incisions, skin tightening, and wound closure.
1. Anesthesia
After you are brought back to the surgical room, the first step is the administration of anesthesia. This can either be IV sedation or general anesthesia, depending on what you and your surgeon decide is the best route for you. This will be discussed well before the procedure occurs so that you know exactly what to expect on the day of your surgery.
2. Incisions
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your surgeon will make the incisions based on the technique that is best suited for your condition. This will also be discussed early on in the consultation process to best inform you of what your surgery will entail.
Generally, you can expect your incisions to follow this guide:
- Mild to moderate — mini-facelift, incisions around ears only
- Moderate to severe — traditional facelift, incisions around ears and up to the scalp
- Neck sagging — neck lift, additional incisions along the backside of the hairline
3. Skin Tightening
Once the incisions have been made, your surgeon will pull the skin taut and remove any excess. Additional fat deposits will also be removed to ensure a smooth appearance. We are careful to ensure that we do not over or under tighten the skin to achieve a balanced appearance. The ultimate goal is to provide natural results that will make you look younger without signaling that any work has been done.
4. Wound Closure
Once the skin is tightened in all the necessary areas, your wounds will be closed with sutures or glue, depending on your specific needs.
What Should I Expect During Facelift Recovery?
Your recovery will be the most intense during the first two weeks. You will experience some minor pain, discomfort, swelling, redness, and bruising at the surgical sites. This is completely normal and can usually be managed by over-the-counter or prescription medications.
After the two-week mark, many patients feel good about returning to work and resuming light activities like walking. You can generally expect to return to more strenuous activities like working out at the end of the fourth week.
You should always listen to your body and the surgeon’s recommendations. We will let you know when it is safe to return to each of these benchmarks. Doing so early could put your health, results and recovery at risk of complications.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect From a Facelift?
You can expect to notice a drastic improvement in the appearance of your face. Wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin and volume loss are often erased after this procedure, and a more defined, youthful facial contour is regularly achieved.
What Happens During A Consultation
Because we want to create your ideal surgical results, the consultation is a critical part of the process. Your surgeon will walk you through your options and help you make choices that align with your anatomy and goals. This time will also be used to conduct a thorough medical history and address all your concerns and questions.
You will have another preoperative appointment closer to the date of your surgery. At this time, you will sign the consent forms, have photos and measurements taken, and receive detailed instructions for before and after surgery. Please adhere to these instructions closely as they are instrumental in ensuring your safety and comfort.
Facelift FAQs
How long will it take for my face to “settle” after surgery?
How long do I have to sleep sitting up after a facelift?
Sleep with your head in an elevated position for 1-2 weeks.
What’s the best age for a facelift?
When can I drive?
Will anyone be able to tell that I’ve had a facelift?
How painful is a facelift?
How long will my results last?
How many years younger will I look after a facelift?
Ready To Learn More?
If you are excited to learn more about how a Facelift in Charleston, SC, can improve your appearance and confidence, request a consultation using our online form or call (843) 722-5904 for an appointment. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
