Facelift at Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington

As we age, time and gravity cause our facial skin and tissue to sag and droop, with lines, creases, and wrinkles becoming deeply etched. This leaves you looking old, tired, or even unhappy. Common issues include loss of jawline definition, a double chin that no exercise or weight loss will resolve, and jowls on women and men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.

A custom facelift in Washington DC performed at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington can improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck. A facelift, or rhytidectomy, can help you achieve a youthful and lifted appearance by restoring your natural beauty and facial structure.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck. It involves tightening underlying facial muscles, removing excess skin, and repositioning facial tissues to restore a more youthful appearance. By addressing wrinkles, sagging skin, and jowls, a facelift aims to provide a smoother, firmer, and rejuvenated facial contour.

A facelift at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington will:

Tighten the underlying facial muscle layer
Reposition skin
Remove excess fat on the face, under the chin, and neck if present
Leave you with a fresh, rested, youthful look that lasts for years – and looks like you

Facelift Before & After

Who is a good candidate for a facelift?

Sun exposure, lifestyle choices, and heredity age our faces and create a disconnect between how we look and feel. Facelift surgery can remove years from the appearance of your face and neck, allowing your outward appearance to match your inner vitality. The surgery reduces the signs of aging by targeting troublesome areas in the mid to lower face and neck.

Facelift surgery can provide youthful and natural-looking results when performed on the right candidate. What makes someone a good candidate for our facelift in Washington DC includes:

Aged 50 or older
In good general health
Non-smoker
Sagging skin and underlying muscles from the cheeks to the jawline
Loose or “folding” skin on the neck
Sagging tissues along the jawline, or jowls
Volume loss in the cheeks and around the mouth
Loose skin and excess fat around the neck appearing as a double chin or "turkey neck"
Wrinkles around the nose and mouth

Facelift Techniques

Facelift techniques vary to address specific needs and goals. Traditional facelifts provide comprehensive rejuvenation by targeting sagging skin and deep facial structures. Mini-facelifts focus on subtle enhancements, ideal for early signs of aging, while mid-facelifts specifically target the cheeks and mid-face area. These procedures aim to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

Our surgeons may use SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) techniques to lift and tighten deeper tissues, offering longer-lasting results. Advanced methods like endoscopic facelifts utilize small incisions and cameras, resulting in minimal scarring and quicker recovery times. Each technique is tailored to the individual, ensuring natural and harmonious results that enhance the patient's features.

Five Reasons You Need a Facelift

While the decision to get a facelift is a personal one and should be made in consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon, here are five reasons why someone might consider getting a facelift:

Reduce Signs of Aging
Improved Self-Confidence
Long-Lasting Results
Restore Lost Volume
Customizable Procedure

What are the Benefits of a Facelift?

The most significant benefit to getting a facelift is the renewed confidence and self-esteem you will feel when you remove the signs of aging causing your issues. To help you determine whether a facelift in Washington DC is right for you, consider the following benefits:

Modern procedures restore multiple signs of aging
Sagging skin is tightened
Your jawline and neck are recontoured
Surgical scars are nearly invisible
Recovery time is manageable, with the ASAPS estimating that you can return to work and your daily routine within two weeks post-surgery
Advanced techniques produce natural-looking results
Long-lasting results, generally up to ten years

How we make your facelift look natural

One of the most significant reservations about facelift surgery is that the results will look unnatural. This is an understandable fear, often due to inexperienced surgeons ignoring the underlying causes of facial aging. When performed correctly by a skilled PSIW surgeon, a facelift can produce some of the most natural-looking results, giving you a rejuvenated and more youthful facial appearance.

When a facelift is performed with modern procedures, such as at PSIW, the result should appear natural, not pulled or tight. Older types of facelift surgeries did not address the underlying muscle structure and merely tightened loose skin, resulting in an odd, pulled appearance. At the Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington, our surgeons use a state-of-the-art surgical technique to produce a natural and fresh look.

How much does a facelift cost in Washington, DC?

According to recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average facelift cost is $8,005. However, this average cost is only part of the total price, as it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other related expenses. Please consult with our office to determine your final fee.

Facelift costs may consist of:

Surgeon's fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests

What is the facelift procedure?

Our facelift in Washington DC is performed on an outpatient basis with the patient under either local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia. During surgery, incisions are carefully placed below the sideburns, which continue along the inside edge of the ear. This continues around the ear lobe, in the groove behind the ear, and is then hidden within the hairline. The outcome is even, fresh, and natural. Every facelift procedure is customized to address the individual's condition by lifting and tightening sagging skin to restore a more youthful appearance.

Part of the facelift procedure is ensuring you are in good general health. We review your medical history and may require you to stop taking blood-thinning medications or supplements for several weeks before your surgical appointment.

What is recovery like for a facelift?

After your facelift, reserve several weeks away from work and about four weeks before attending important social events. Avoid most physical activity, though walks are beneficial for reducing swelling by increasing blood circulation.

It's normal to feel tightness, swelling, and bruising during healing. Sleep with your head elevated using a wedge pillow to minimize tightness and swelling. Avoid excessive head motion, especially early on. Move as if you have a stiff neck, keeping your head forward and avoiding turning it side to side for faster recovery.

Our PSIW team will monitor your progress in follow-up appointments. Sutures are removed when the incisions heal, which varies by patient. You should see smoother, firmer, more youthful results in about two weeks.

Following your facelift in Bethesda, you will be given specific instructions on:

Caring for the surgical site
Medications to apply or take orally
Specific concerns to watch for
When to follow up with your surgeon

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Facelift Patient Testimonials

“I had a facelift and an eye lift with Dr Friedman in March. I was really nervous to have the operation. However, Dr Friedman was very reassuring and would say to me that he "was not nervous." His entire office was kind and thoughtful. Anytime I had a question for Dr Friedman he would answer me as soon as possible and never made me feel that my questions were not important. The day of the operation when I was receiving the anesthetic, Dr Friedman held my hand and was calm and again very reassuring. I woke up, which seemed like five minutes, and felt great. The first two night I was sore, but not as sore as I thought I would be. By the third day, just as Dr Friedman said, I just took tylenol. Now, two months later, I feel great, a lot of the swelling has gone down, and I couldn't be happier. I would definitely recommend Dr Friedman.”

—N.R.

"I'll admit. I was scared to have a facelift. Put it off for years. Now that I have had it done, I am sorry I waited as long as I did. While there was some discomfort (and not a lot), there really was very little pain involved. Dr. Friedman did a stellar job and he puts you completely at ease with him, the procedure and what to expect. He and his staff are professional, caring and warm. From my first visit, through all follow-ups, I simply could not have been happier. But, the results speak for themselves! All my friends want to know who did my surgery.”

—V.H..

“I decided last year to do a neck and lower facelift to get rid of the saggy skin from losing weight and just a few months ago had a thigh lift due to the excess skin despite daily exercise. I cannot tell you how happy I am with Dr. Friedman's work on me.

As I approach my 55th birthday in a few short months I feel 20 years younger. I cannot thank Dr. Friedman enough for his amazing work, his wonderful demeanor and sense of humor that always makes me feel at ease. His entire staff makes you feel special from the moment you enter the office till you recover and beyond. I have referred Dr. Friedman to friends and they are equally as happy and impressed as I am."

—Kathy

“Dr. Friedman has taken wonderful care of me for years. He performed several plastic surgeries on my face and each time I have been thrilled with the results. He follows through with his patients, and makes sure everything is perfect. I could NOT be happier! He does just enough nipping and tucking to make you look fresh and like you just got back from a month vacation. His staff is helpful, warm, and knowledgeable. A huge bonus is the wonderful surgical center, no hospital visits needed here. I strongly recommend Dr. Friedman along with his whole staff for taking care of all your cosmetic and plastic surgery needs. Two thumbs WAY up!”

—Anonymous

Why choose PSIW for your facelift in Washington, DC?

Our team of board-certified plastic surgeons has a reputation for excellence in plastic surgery, with each of our surgical teams achieving a five-star rating on realself.com. We are an exclusive center established by top doctors and educators from the Washington, D.C. area. At PSIW, our highly-trained plastic surgeons are leaders and innovators in the field of aesthetic surgery, frequently recognized for their quality work and patient care in the Washingtonian and North Bethesda Magazines. You should choose the Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington for your facelift in Washington DC because our meticulous surgical techniques create results that appear natural, youthful, and rejuvenated, never pulled or out of balance.

Facelift FAQs

When Will I See My Facelift Results?

While most people are comfortable presenting to the public within fourteen days, it will take up to three months for the face to feel "back to normal" in terms of texture, sensibility, and loss of tightness.

How Long Does a Facelift Last?

The results of a facelift can last up to ten years with proper sun protection and an overall healthy lifestyle.

What Are the Risks and Complications of a Facelift?

Risks and complications associated with a facelift include: infections, bleeding, scars, sensory changes of the overlying skin, facial nerve injury (temporary or permanent), which may affect the motion of the corner of the mouth, or an uneven result requiring revision surgery. Because our clinic follows the most stringent health and safety procedures, the risk of complications is dramatically reduced.

When Can I Exercise After a Facelift?

You should be able to return to some of your everyday exercise routines within five weeks of your facelift. Heavy lifting and strenuous running are still not recommended, but light jogging and stretching should be safe by this time.

Can a Facelift Be Used for Jowls?

Yes, a facelift can effectively address sagging jowls by tightening and lifting the skin and underlying tissues of the lower face and neck, restoring a more youthful appearance.

Are Facelifts Dangerous?

Facelifts are generally safe when performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon, but like any surgical procedure, they carry risks such as infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. With proper preoperative evaluation and postoperative care, these risks can be minimized.

Can Other Procedures Be Combined With a Facelift?

Another benefit is that other procedures can be performed in conjunction with a facelift in Bethesda. Some examples of additional cosmetic procedures include:

Brow lift and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes
Fat transfer or fillers to replace the lost fatty volume
Skin treatments such as IPL, dermabrasion, peels, or laser to improve the quality and texture of the skin

Take your first step on a journey to a new you.

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At PSIW, we eagerly await your arrival.

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Facelift in Washington DC