Cosmetic surgery procedure
Facelift
A facelift lifts and repositions the deeper structures of the face to smooth jowls, restore a defined jawline, and refresh your appearance with natural-looking, never pulled results.
A Facelift Rooted in Facial Anatomy
Time, gravity, and volume loss gradually soften the jawline, deepen the folds around the mouth, and loosen the skin of the lower face. A facelift remains the most effective way to address these changes, but the quality of the result depends on the surgeon performing it. At Cosmetic Doc, Dr. Husam Elias, MD, DMD, FACS, is a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon who approaches every facelift as a surgeon of the facial skeleton. He understands the face from the bone outward, not just skin deep, and that understanding is why his facelift results look rested and natural, never pulled or windblown. Patients visit us from Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, and across greater Los Angeles for facelift surgery that honors their features rather than changing them.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that repositions the deeper supportive layers of the face, removes excess skin, and restores smoother contours to the cheeks, jawline, and lower face. Modern facelift surgery is not about pulling skin tight. Dr. Elias works beneath the surface on the SMAS, the muscular and fibrous layer responsible for structural support, so the lift comes from the foundation rather than the skin.
A facelift addresses the lower two-thirds of the face: jowls, deep nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and sagging cheek tissue. It does not treat every sign of aging on its own. Loose skin and banding below the jaw are corrected with a neck lift, aging upper or lower lids respond to eyelid surgery, and hollowed cheeks or temples can be restored with facial fat grafting. Dr. Elias evaluates your entire face at the consultation and recommends only what will serve your goals.
What patients gain
Benefits of a Facelift
A facelift performed by a triple board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon can do far more than tighten skin. Here is what our Pasadena and Sherman Oaks patients appreciate most.
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Restore a Defined Jawline
Repositioning the deeper layers of the face smooths jowls and recreates the clean line between jaw and neck that gradually blurs with age.
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Soften Deep Folds
Lifting sagging cheek tissue reduces heavy nasolabial folds and marionette lines around the mouth, easing the tired or stern look they can create.
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Look Refreshed, Not Pulled
Because Dr. Elias lifts the structural layer rather than stretching skin, results look rested and natural, and friends often notice you look great without knowing why.
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Enjoy Long-Lasting Results
A facelift resets the clock in a way no nonsurgical treatment can, with results that typically last a decade or more as you continue to age gracefully.
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Recover With Expert Support
Your surgery takes place in an accredited surgical setting with hospital-grade monitoring, and our caring team guides you through every stage of healing.
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Customize Your Plan
Your facelift can be tailored and combined with complementary procedures so the face, eyes, and neck rejuvenate in harmony rather than one area at a time.
Facelift Techniques: Deep Plane, SMAS, and Mini Facelift
There is no single facelift operation. Dr. Elias selects the technique that fits your anatomy, your degree of laxity, and your goals.
Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift releases and repositions the SMAS layer along with the ligaments that tether it, lifting the cheek and jawline as one unit. Because tension is placed on the deep layer rather than the skin, this technique can produce especially natural movement and expression, and it is often preferred for patients with significant midface descent.
SMAS Facelift
A SMAS facelift tightens and elevates the SMAS layer through folding or careful trimming, then redrapes the skin without tension. It remains a proven, versatile approach for jowling and lower face laxity, and Dr. Elias may recommend it when a full deep plane release is not necessary to reach your goals.
Mini Facelift vs. Full Facelift
A mini facelift uses shorter incisions and a more limited lift, making it a good fit for younger patients with early jowling. A full facelift addresses more advanced laxity of the cheeks, jawline, and lower face. Candidates for either are healthy adults, typically in their 40s to 70s, who are bothered by sagging and have realistic expectations.
The Facelift Experience at Cosmetic Doc
Your journey begins with an unhurried consultation, where Dr. Elias examines your facial structure, skin quality, and aging pattern. We use detailed photographic analysis and digital surgical planning to study your anatomy and help you visualize a balanced outcome. Facelift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation with hospital-grade monitoring, and Pasadena patients are treated in the on-site AAAHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center at our Pasadena office, where Dr. Elias serves as Medical Director.
Most patients return home the same day with a supportive dressing. Swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first two weeks, and many patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities in about two to three weeks. Final contours continue to refine over several months.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
Facelift cost varies from patient to patient because no two surgical plans are identical. At your consultation you will receive a personalized quote based on:
- Technique: A deep plane facelift, SMAS facelift, and mini facelift each involve different operative times.
- Anesthesia: IV sedation and general anesthesia are priced differently.
- Facility: Accredited surgical facility fees are included in your personalized quote.
- Combined procedures: Adding a neck lift, eyelid surgery, or fat grafting affects the total investment.
Financing options are available to help make your facelift affordable.
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation
A facelift is a decision about trust as much as technique. Cosmetic Doc pairs triple board certification with a philosophy of care, compassion, and artistry, so you can feel confident from your first visit through your final follow-up. Contact our Pasadena office at (626) 440-0099 or our Sherman Oaks office at (818) 789-6622 to schedule your facelift consultation with Dr. Elias.
Questions patients ask
Facelift FAQs
How long does a facelift last?
Most facelifts last eight to fifteen years, depending on skin quality, genetics, and lifestyle. Your face continues to age naturally after surgery, but patients typically look younger than they would have without the procedure. Techniques that lift the deeper layers, like the deep plane facelift, tend to provide the most durable results.
What is the difference between a deep plane and SMAS facelift?
Both techniques lift the SMAS, the structural support layer of the face. A SMAS facelift tightens that layer from above, while a deep plane facelift releases the ligaments beneath it and repositions the cheek and jawline as one unit. Dr. Elias recommends the approach that best fits your anatomy.
How much does a facelift cost in Pasadena?
Facelift pricing depends on the technique used, the level of anesthesia, facility fees, and whether procedures such as a neck lift are combined. After your examination, Cosmetic Doc provides a detailed personalized quote, and financing options are available to help make your facelift fit your budget.
Is facelift recovery painful?
Most patients describe tightness and soreness rather than sharp pain, and discomfort is typically well controlled with medication during the first several days. Swelling and bruising peak within the first two weeks. Our team monitors your healing closely and remains available to answer questions throughout your recovery.
What is the best age for a facelift?
There is no single right age. Most facelift patients are in their 40s through 70s, when jowling and loose skin no longer respond to nonsurgical care. Candidacy depends more on anatomy, skin quality, and overall health than on a birthday, which is why an in-person evaluation matters.
Will my facelift look natural or pulled?
A pulled or windswept look comes from tightening skin instead of lifting the deeper layers. Dr. Elias repositions the structural foundation of the face and redrapes the skin without tension, so results look rested and natural. His goal is for you to look like yourself, only refreshed.
Do I need a facelift or a neck lift?
They address neighboring areas. A facelift treats the cheeks, jowls, and lower face, while a neck lift corrects loose skin, banding, and fullness below the jaw. Many patients benefit from combining them in one surgery for a harmonious result, and Dr. Elias will advise you honestly at your consultation.
Your surgeon
Meet Your Surgeon
Dr. Husam Elias
MD, DMD, FACS
Dr. Husam Elias is a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon and former Section Head of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. His mastery of the facial skeleton is the foundation of every natural-looking facelift he performs.
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Your Choice for Expert Cosmetic Surgery in Pasadena & Sherman Oaks
Cosmetic Doc delivers board-certified cosmetic surgery with care, compassion, and artistry. From facelifts and rhinoplasty to body contouring, Dr. Husam Elias pairs dual MD/DMD training with an on-site AAAHC-accredited surgery center for the safest, most natural-looking results. Contact our Pasadena or Sherman Oaks office today to schedule your consultation.