Refine the Contours of Your Face

If you’re unhappy with sagging lines in your face and neck, you may want to consider getting a facelift. A facelift is designed to refine the contours of your face that may have changed due to loss of facial fat, sun damage, smoking, stress, thinning skin, gravity, and genetic factors. Dave Lee, MD, is a Stanford-educated Chelmsford plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Lee specializes in facelifts and can help you find the best solution for your aesthetic needs.

Your privacy and confidentiality are of the utmost importance to us at PURE Cosmetic Center.

Many of our high-profile patients prefer to be private with their cosmetic procedures and prefer that their photographs not be placed online. At your consultation, you will be shown photographs of patients who have given us permission to display their before and after pictures.

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What is a Facelift?

Also known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift is a type of surgery meant to decrease signs of aging in your face and neck. Normal changes due to aging can change the shape and appearance of your face due to your skin loosening. In addition, fat deposits may increase in some areas of your face but decrease in others.

Facelifts can be combined with eyelid surgery and/or brow lifts to further reduce wrinkles around aging eyes. Fillers or fat transfer may also be an option to replace fat on the face. Talk to Dr. Lee about other skin treatments that can also be done to improve the quality of your skin. While facelifts are considered restorative surgeries, they do not halt the aging process nor change your fundamental appearance. However, they can improve self-confidence and restore facial harmony.

What a Facelift Isn’t

Facelifts do not treat sun damage or skin color irregularities. There are other treatments available for these issues which you can discuss with Dr. Lee during your consultation. These other treatments are often combined with facelift for best results.

How does a facelift work?

Designed to create a younger appearance, a facelift is meant to reduce sagging in the folds of skin on your lower cheeks and jawline. During this surgical procedure, Dr. Lee will lift a flap of skin on each side of your face and pull them back. The tissues below your skin are also repositioned and sculpted to give more definition to your face. In addition, Dr. Lee will remove excess skin.

Benefits of a Facelift

Looking and feeling more youthful and vibrant is just one of many benefits you can achieve with a facelift in Chelmsford. Here are a few other benefits:

Corrects sagging and other signs of aging in the mid to lower face
New techniques that have made facelift surgery far less invasive than before
Improves the tone of facial skin and underlying muscles
Can be combined with a brow lift, necklift, or eyelid surgery
Can boost self-confidence, leading to personal and professional benefits
Creates a more youthful-looking facial appearance
Impressive and durable results
Targets many signs of aging in one step

What causes facial aging?

While every person ages differently, skin aging is impacted by:

Genetics
Skin type
Sun exposure
Repetitive facial movements
Improper skin care
Loss of collagen and elastin, resulting in thin skin

What facial issues can be addressed by a facelift?

Lifts and firms sagging skin
Removes excess skin
Lifts the corners of the mouth
Lifts the cheeks
Firms the jawline, reducing or eliminating jowls
Smoothes creases between the cheeks and lips (“marionette lines).
Eliminates deep lines and creases between the nose and mouth
Removes excess fat deposits under the chin
Reduces deep creases under the eyes

Are you a candidate for a facelift?

You should be in good general health and free of any conditions that could elevate surgical risks. Non-smokers are greatly preferred. Since facelift involves some surgical “stretching,” you need to have sufficient skin elasticity as determined by your doctor.

Selecting the right surgeon.

Your choice of surgeon will determine the success and safety of your facelift more than any other decision you make. Insist on a board-certified plastic surgeon. You should feel comfortable with and communicate freely and openly with your doctor.

Why Should I ChooseDr. Lee for My Facelift?

Dr. Dave Lee specializes in facelifts, breast augmentation surgery, breast reconstruction, skin cancer reconstruction, nasal airway reconstruction, and rhinoplasty. A member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Dr. Lee is also a classically-trained pianist whose dexterity gives him the highest precision and technical ability with various surgical techniques. Dedicated to the creed that patients come first, Dr. Lee strives to always be available for his patients and their needs. His dedication to outstanding service will ease your fears and create a lifelong relationship. If you’re concerned about lines or sagging in your face, Dr. Lee can help you rediscover your confidence with a facelift in Chelmsford. Call or message to set up a consultation today.

Preparation

We require that any patient interested in receiving treatment from our renowned Chelmsford facelift expert, Dr. Lee, have a consultation prior to the surgery.

Before scheduling your procedure, your surgeon will review your medical history, including all previous surgeries and chronic medical conditions. In addition, you will need to disclose all medications you are taking and will likely be directed to suspend the use of any supplement or drug (such as aspirin) that can elevate surgical bleeding.

Chelmsford Plastic Surgeon, Dr. David Lee

Types of Facelifts

Mini-facelift

Concentrates on your jowls and upper neck region

Full-facelift

Goes beyond mini-facelift benefits to also address your mid-face and full neck

Deep plane facelift

A technique that surgically moves facial musculature, connective tissue, and fatty tissue into a more youthful position

Facelift Procedure

Designed to create a younger appearance, a facelift is meant to reduce sagging in the folds of skin on your lower cheeks and jawline. A facelift can be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility.

During this procedure, Dr. Lee will lift a flap of skin on each side of your face and pull them back. The tissues below your skin are also repositioned and sculpted to give more definition to your face. In addition, Dr. Lee will remove excess skin.

If necessary, you can also have a neck lift, done as part of your facelift to reduce any sagging or unwanted fat on your neck. You will be placed under general anesthesia. Once your facelift and any other surgeries are complete, Dr. Lee will close the incisions with stitches. Typically, you’ll be able to drive home later the same day of your surgery, but make sure you have arranged for a driver.

How long does it take to recover?

It will take a couple of days before you feel completely better from the anesthesia. Bruising and swelling can take two to three weeks to heal.

Most patients feel comfortable socializing around three to four weeks after surgery. Full results are seen at the 3-month mark. If you have multiple procedures done at the same time, then your healing times can take longer.

Facelift recovery stages and timeline

Week One:

Day 1: You will feel sleepy and somewhat unsteady. Make sure you have some help around the house. Day 1 is the day you are most likely to need pain medication, if indeed you ever do.
Day 2:Your surgeon will likely schedule a follow-up visit around this time. Your surgical dressings will be removed or replaced, and your doctor will check your incisions.
Day 3:You’ll be feeling better, but your post-surgical bruising and swelling usually reach their height on this day.
Day 4-6:Your swelling subsides, and you’ll feel more comfortable moving about. If you feel well enough, light housework is usually permitted.

Week Two:

Day 7-14: You’ll still have some swelling and bruising, but it will have started to subside. Some slight numbness or tingling is expected and is not a cause for concern. Most facelift patients are now “feeling like themselves” again and are ready to return to work. Light exercise such as walking is encouraged.

Weeks Three and Four:

Day 15-30: Your sutures will be removed sometime between the end of Week One and Week Three, depending on your particular procedure and your personal healing process. Now is when you will begin to see significant improvements in your facial contour. Your incision sites will have a pinkish-red hue that will fade over time.

After Day 30, you should largely be back to all of your full and normal activities. Diligently follow your surgeon’s post-facelift instructions. Ask plenty of questions and immediately report any symptoms you think are out of the ordinary.

Facelift Results

You should expect to see a more youthful appearance. Remember that taking care of your skin and leading a healthy lifestyle will optimize and prolong the results of your facelift.

Schedule a facelift consultation in Chelmsford at PURE Cosmetic Center

Lift, Smooth, and Tighten Your Facial Skin.

Dave Lee, MD, is a Stanford-educated plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Lee has a highly trained eye for human aesthetics and the hands of a concert pianist (which he is). Great doctors get beautifully natural results worthy of a standing ovation.

If you’d like to find out more about how you can achieve the results you are looking for with a facelift Chelmsford plastic surgery clinic, PURE Cosmetic Center, would be happy to schedule a consultation for you so all of your questions can be answered and your concerns addressed. Call us today.

Facelift FAQs

Is facelift painful?

It may surprise you, but most facelift patients report only moderate discomfort that can be controlled with over-the-counter drugs.

Once your surgery is complete, you’ll be taken to a recovery room as you come out of anesthesia. It’s normal after your procedure to have some mild discomfort in your face, along with some bruising and swelling. The discomfort is minimal and easily controlled with over-the-counter medications. Dr. Lee can prescribe other medications to take as needed.

Are there risks and side effects?

Like any surgery, facelift comes with risks, such as infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and allergic reactions to medications and materials.

Risks are covered before the surgery is done and can be gone over during a consultation. Call today to schedule.

Will my facelift create scars?

Any time you have an incision, a scar will occur. However, Dr. Lee carefully places his incisions so as to minimize and hide any resulting scars. This includes incisions behind the ears and along the hairline.

Elite-level plastic surgeons like Dr. Lee are masters at placing incisions discreetly in concealed or camouflaged locations. Dr. Lee also minimizes skin tension during facelift surgery, which further helps control and minimize scarring.

Isn’t facelift just for women?

Not at all! A rapidly growing number of men are discovering the personal, professional, and self-confidence-boosting benefits of a facelift.

Are there non-surgical alternatives to a facelift?

Yes, there are some non-surgical cosmetic facial treatments, such as the popular “facelift tape” or “liquid facelifts.” But none of these non-surgical treatments produce the dramatic results you will achieve following a surgical facelift.

What’s the best age to get a facelift?

There is no “best age.” Most facelift patients are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, but people well into their 70s are now getting facelifts.

Will a facelift give me a “pulled” or “frozen” appearance?

No. The trick to avoiding that is proper planning, placement, execution of incisions, and avoiding excessive skin tension during surgery. Dr. Lee will not let you look “stiff”!

How long will my facelift results last?

Results can last up to 15 years if you practice a good skincare program and avoid sun damage. But facelift results are not permanent.

Will my insurance pay for a facelift?

Since a facelift is a cosmetic procedure, your insurance will likely not cover the costs.

Then what are the costs of a facelift?

The price of a facelift in Chelmsford depends on if it’s done alone or along with other surgical procedures. Most patients may use financing or payment options. During your consultation, you can discuss your questions with Dr. Lee.

Industry data place the average cost of facelift between $12,000 and $20,000, depending on the extent of your procedure and the surgical technique used.

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Your beauty is a symphony. Don’t trust it to anyone less than a true performer and a master at his craft. Boston and Chelmsford plastic surgeon, Dr. Dave Lee brings the virtuosity of a concert pianist and the artistry of a renowned plastic surgeon to each procedure. Schedule a consultation today to discover why patients across New England are singing the praises of Dr. Lee and his staff at PURE Cosmetic Center.

Boston: 400 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02215

Chelmsford: 15 Village Square, Chelmsford, MA 01824