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Facelift

Restore A Younger Look

Facelift Offered at our Convenient Location in Birmingham, Alabama

At Core Plastic Surgery, Grady Core, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified plastic surgeon is highly skilled in a variety of facelift techniques, such as endoscopic facelifts and deep plane facelifts, which are individually tailored to suit each client's specific needs. One remarkable aspect of Dr. Core's approach is his ability to perform endoscopic facelifts without leaving any visible scars. By placing the incisions higher up behind the hairline, he ensures full coverage and eliminates the risk of visible scars on the face. This meticulous technique achieves natural-looking results and maintains overall aesthetic harmony. With Dr. Core's expertise, you can confidently undergo a facelift, knowing that the outcome will enhance your appearance while leaving no trace of surgical intervention.

Look As Good As You Feel

What is a Facelift?

Plastic surgeons perform facelifts on people who have lost elasticity in their faces and have begun to show significant signs of aging. The skin on the face is pulled slightly tighter to make it smoother, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin. Some of the most visible signs of aging first appear on the face. Although the changes appear gradually, there may come a day when you look in the mirror and decide that the face you see doesn’t reflect the way you feel about yourself.

If you’d like to look as good as you feel, a facelift smoothes the loose skin on your face and neck, tightens underlying tissues, and removes excess fat. As a result, your face will appear firmer and fresher. You’ll find basic information about facelifts on this page. However, the best way to get complete answers to specific questions that relate to your individual needs is to make an appointment with Dr. Core.

Birmingham facelift patient undergoing procedure

Contour. Tighten. Boost.

What are the benefits of a Facelift?

One of the remarkable advantages of a facelift is its ability to rejuvenate the face and overall appearance. The tightened facial skin can have a transformative effect, making you look more refreshed, vibrant, and even happier. Many patients have reported a significant boost in self-confidence and a renewed sense of self-esteem after undergoing a successful facelift procedure. Facelifts restore a more youthful appearance and provide other benefits, including:

  • Gives more contour to the face
  • Tightens facial skin
  • Boosts self-confidence

Additional Reading

In addition to giving more contour to the face and tightening facial skin, a facelift can address various signs of aging, such as sagging skin, deep creases, and jowls. A facelift can create a more defined and harmonious facial contour by lifting and repositioning the underlying facial tissues. Our patients are often impressed by just how much younger a facelift makes them appear! To get started toward a smoother, rejuvenated appearance, schedule your consultation today. You can also learn more about our practices and Dr. Core’s expertise by checking out our blog.

Tailored Options

Types of Facelifts

At Core Plastic Surgery in Birmingham facelifts are customized to the anatomical features and desired results of the patient. Dr. Core specializes in a variety of techniques to help his patients end up with a result they are happy with! An important point to remember is that facial rejuvenation surgery is a highly individualized process. No particular procedure is applicable to all patients.

Facelift

Facial rejuvenation has come a long way since its beginning almost a century ago. Amazingly, most of the significant changes in facial rejuvenation surgery actually have occurred within the last ten years. The recent trend is toward a less invasive but still effective facial rejuvenation.

In reality, there is no non-invasive methodology that can equal the results of a surgical facial rejuvenation procedure in the hands of an experienced facial aesthetic surgeon.

Some patients with neck fullness and jowling will require a more extensive procedure in order to have a pleasing and long-lasting result, whereas other patients who have minimal jowling and slight excess skin on the neck can undergo a much less invasive procedure. However, patients should be very careful to be sure they understand what is hype and what is reality.

Mini Lift

The term mini lift has come into popularity over the last five to six years, and there are a variety of procedures that are in the mini lift category.

Other terms patients may hear that apply to this type of procedure would include C-lift, S-lift, lifestyle lift, and MACS lift.

The common denominators of all these procedures are that:

  • They are less invasive, with less undermining into the central part of the face
  • The rejuvenation process is based on the tightening of the underneath layer of the face, called the SMAS.

Sub-SMAS Facelift

Dr. Core's most effective procedure for facial rejuvenation in patients who have a moderate to extensive amount of relaxed skin and jowling of the lower face is called a sub-SMAS facelift. This term refers to the technique of identifying the layer in the face that is underneath the skin called the SMAS (submuscular aponeurotic system). This is the dense layer of tissue between the skin and the muscles of the face, which literally holds the face in place.

The secret to a natural-looking facelift is not to pull on the skin but to place the lift and tension on the SMAS, which results in a natural appearance postoperatively. This is the technique that eliminates the “wind tunnel” look and also provides a longer-lasting result.

Get Informed

Your Personal Facelift Consultation

The skin on our faces may sag or lose elasticity as we age or lose a significant amount of weight. At Core Plastic Surgery, Grady Core, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified plastic surgeon, performs facelifts on people living in Birmingham and Mountain Brook, along with the surrounding communities, who want to restore a younger appearance.

During your meeting with Dr. Core, you will get to learn about the intricacies of a facelift procedure. This meeting will educate you so you can make an informed decision about your appearance. Dr. Core will take the opportunity to learn about your medical history, current lifestyle, medications, and expectations for the surgery. He will examine your face and inform you where incisions will be made. This examination, along with learning about your health, will help him determine if a facelift is an ideal treatment for your concerns.

Birmingham facelift model undergoing procedure

What is Involved With My Facelift?

Your Facelift Procedure

When having a facelift, the incisions are made along your hairline around the earlobe and to the back of the neck. This enables the removal of the excess sagging skin that creates lines and creases that distort the natural lines of your face. When tightening your skin, the surgeon must ensure that it's smooth but not over-corrected. The right amount of tension is critical: that's why you must choose a surgeon with extensive experience performing facelifts. Next, the fatty tissue that makes your face look heavy, jowly, and baggy is removed with liposuction. Then the underlying muscle is tightened to restore a younger shape to your face. The incisions are closed along natural skin lines, and bandages are then applied. These dressings will be removed the morning after surgery. Swelling and bruising usually subside in seven to ten days.

When Will I See the Results From My Facelift?

Facelift Results

The timeline for seeing the results of a facelift can vary depending on various factors, but typically, final results are noticeable around four weeks after the procedure. Within two weeks, the results of your facelift become more visible as the swelling and bruising diminish, though some numbness and tightness may persist for several weeks. The full results may take a few months to be noticeable.

What to Expect After a Facelift

Facelift Recovery and Aftercare

The first week of a facelift Birmingham patients may feel some discomfort along with bruising and swelling. Depending on the extent of the surgery, it may take a couple of weeks for the bruising and swelling to subside. Most people take a week off work followed by light work for a couple of weeks with no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. Stitches are removed at the end of the first week. Your facelift recovery rate can be influenced by factors such as age, health, and the specific procedure performed. Lifestyle choices like smoking, excessive sun exposure, increased alcohol intake, and stress can also impact the pace of recovery and the quality of results.

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is often included in a facelift to maximize the end results. Eyelid surgery opens up the eyes and helps the patient look more alert and well-rested. Eyelid surgery is broken into two surgeries: Upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty. In upper eyelid surgery, drooping skin is excised, and a natural eyelid is restored. This surgery is ideal for men and women whose eyelids droop so much they interfere with their vision. Lower eyelid surgery removes and redistributes the undereye “bags.” Some people are born with fat pockets under their eyes, while others find that the pockets develop over time. These bags detract from the appearance and make the individual appear tired all of the time. By removing and redistributing the fat, Dr. Core will make your mid-face appear smoother, and your overall appearance will look rested and younger. Blepharoplasty is a very common procedure combined with a facelift. If you are interested in

Complementary Procedures

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following a proper skincare regimen are essential for achieving optimal facelift outcomes. Additionally, adhering to post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon is crucial for determining recovery time. Rushing the recovery process can have negative consequences and may compromise the final results. By considering these factors, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and diligently following your surgeon's guidelines, you can support a smooth and successful facelift recovery, ensuring the best possible outcome. Combining your facelift with a complementing surgery, discuss your options with Dr. Core during your consultation.

Facelift Frequently Asked Questions

Facelifts in Alabama are most commonly performed on patients in the 40 to 60 age range. However, the procedure can produce good results in people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s as well.

You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you have one or more of the following conditions:

  • Loss of a well-defined jawline
  • Deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging skin near the cheekbones
  • Loose skin, wrinkles, or excess fatty tissue in the neck
  • A deep line that runs from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth

If you have one or more of these concerns, we encourage you to reach out to our office so we can get you starting to look your best!

When you meet with Dr. Core for your consultation, he will provide you with the details for preparing for your facelift, including instructions to follow to ensure a successful surgery.

Some of those may be:

  • Adjust your medications and supplements, stopping those that increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Quit smoking and avoid tobacco use for at least six weeks before the procedure.
  • Arrange for transportation and help with daily tasks post-surgery.
  • Begin a skin care program designed for you by our highly trained aestheticians to enhance your results.

Two to three weeks before the procedure:

  • Create a comfortable recovery space at home and gather necessary supplies.
  • Stock up on prescriptions, ice packs, and healthy, easy-to-prepare food.
  • Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated.
  • Confirm transportation and assistance arrangements on the day before the surgery.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes that don't need to be pulled over your head.
  • Lastly, follow the preparation instructions provided, including fasting and cleaning your skin.

The cost of a facelift varies with each patient, depending on the extent of the facelift and whether other facial surgery procedures are performed in conjunction with the facelift. We can discuss the cost with you during your consultation as well as our payment and financing options. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards in addition to offering financing through CareCredit®. Grady Core, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified plastic surgeon, offers plastic and reconstructive surgery to people living in and around Birmingham, Mountain Brook, and across the Southeast. If you are ready to look and feel younger, contact Dr. Core’s office today to schedule your consultation. You can reach our office at (205) 397-2100!

A facelift with an experienced surgeon like Dr. Core is quite tolerable. Anesthesia will be used during the surgery to keep you comfortable. Pain medications are prescribed for recovery.

Recovery from a facelift often takes between one to two weeks. Everyone’s recovery period will be unique and take different amounts of time. The goal of the recovery is for you to rest and heal. When you feel comfortable, and your incisions have healed, then you can return to your regular schedule. Dr. Core can let you know what to anticipate during your recovery period.

A mini facelift requires a less extensive incision than a full facelift. This procedure targets the lower half of the face and will restore the jawline.

It is important to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions, but in most cases, you can expect to gradually resume light activities within a week or two. Strenuous activities and exercise should be avoided for several weeks or as advised by your surgeon.

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications, although they are relatively rare. These can include infection, bleeding, scarring, numbness, and unfavorable scarring. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you and take measures to minimize them.

While a facelift can provide long-lasting improvements, it does not stop the natural aging process. The results can typically last for several years, but factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and skincare routine can influence the longevity of the results.

A facelift can address sagging skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles and lines, particularly in the lower face and neck area. However, it will not completely eliminate all fine lines and wrinkles, and additional treatments, such as injectables or laser resurfacing, may be recommended for optimal results.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have and get you on your way to beautiful, natural-looking results. Contact us.

3595 Grandview Parkway, #150, Birmingham, AL 35243

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