Face Lift

UT Southwestern Medical Center plastic surgeons have continued to advance the frontier of facial rejuvenation by performing face lift procedures and critically studying techniques through rigorous medical research and scrutiny. As a result, we’ve made significant contributions to advance care for the aging face.

Through years of experience and research, we’ve developed a layered, individualized component procedure that is actually facial rejuvenation, versus the more conventional face lift. Working in the deeper structures of the face, we lift, reshape, and contour to create a natural, refreshed look.

Creating a Natural, Refreshed Look

Because every face is different, each face, neck, and brow is individually and collectively assessed to provide the patient with a customized surgical plan to address the unique concerns and needs. Surgical results last for years with a look that’s natural, youthful, and restorative as opposed to being “windswept” in appearance.

One of the areas UT Southwestern plastic surgery has pioneered is the individualized component face lift (ICF). Our approach draws on the newest breakthroughs in treating facial aging, including research our experts conducted on facial anatomy and techniques to address facial fullness, a key factor for a more youthful look. We have led discoveries of how fat compartments underneath the face’s surface change with age, which is key in determining which procedures will be effective for which patients. 

There are no quick fixes with real facial rejuvenation. Procedures marketed as liquid face lifts or instant face lifts that are performed as in-office procedures do not produce effective, long-term results. Information about them is often misleading because they are not real face lifts. Surgical facial rejuvenation is performed by board-certified plastic surgeons in operating rooms, with a realistic recovery time of about two weeks.

Effective, Innovative Options for Face Lifts

After a clinical evaluation, our team can provide options to restore a youthful look, which typically focus on correction of the facial deflation and descent that is typical of facial aging.

We then apply innovative surgical techniques and technology to reshape and contour the face in its deeper structures and fat compartments to eliminate sagging and deep wrinkles. The results look natural and refreshed, with lessened clues that a procedure has been performed.

Who We Treat

Our patients who come in looking for correction of early aging are typically in their 30s. In those cases, we use fillers or neuromodulators – all nonsurgical or minimally invasive procedures - to restore facial shape. Patients in their 40s and older might benefit from other types of facial rejuvenation procedures, such as surgery.

It's important for patients to discuss expectations during their consultation with a UT Southwestern plastic surgeon. We provide patients with a clear assessment of the limitations and risks of any facial rejuvenation procedures discussed.

Face Lift: What to Expect

Face lift surgery can take three to four hours. Most patients are back to work and their regular activities in two weeks. Patients can be presentable as early as one week after surgery, depending on the amount of bruising.

The effects of a face lift are long term, with results lasting for 10 or more years for some patients. While the aging process continues after the surgery, a face lift can take years off a patient’s face throughout his or her life.

Enhancing Harmony with Additional Cosmetic Procedures

For some patients, we might suggest that other procedures be performed at the same time to help enhance the overall harmony of the face. Our recommendations might include using a filler, such as a patient’s own stem cell-laden fat cells.

We might also suggest eyelid surgery, neck lift, brow lift, or laser resurfacing to correct perioral wrinkles (those around the mouth). Combining procedures is a technique our surgeons use to ensure a natural look.