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Facelift

Facelift in Houston, TX

Houston facelift professional Dr. Christopher K. Livingston at Livingston Plastic Surgery attracts patients throughout Texas for procedures in facial rejuvenation, breast surgery, and body contouring.

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a delicate process in which the forehead, face, and neck are reshaped to improve imperfections. The procedure helps patients achieve a fresher, rejuvenated look. Facelifts are an excellent option to help turn back the hands of time and improve your primary look.

To learn more about Facelift surgery or to discuss your different options, request a consultation today.

Dr. Livingston

Christopher Livingston, MD

“The most important part of plastic surgery is achieving a youthful, refreshed look, with minimal downtime.”

Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive surgeon

Chris Livingston, MD

I believe that every design is personal. The connection we have with clients determines how the projects will look at the end of the design process. We must understand the clients and bond with them, be a part of their dream. Their dream is our dream.

HOUSTON FACELIFT

As we begin to grow older, the signs of aging become more apparent every time we look in the mirror. To regain a more youthful, rejuvenated facial appearance, many patients, male and female, consider cosmetic facial surgery.

Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a delicate process in which the face and neck are reshaped to improve concerns brought on by age and environmental factors. These may include:

facelift before & after
  • Displaced fat
  • Loose, sagging facial skin
  • Deep creases and wrinkles around the mouth, eyes, forehead, and neck
  • Loss of muscle tone

By removing excess facial skin and fat from the face and neck, and then redraping the skin, Dr. Livingston can deliver a more youthful facial appearance. Although facelift surgery will not change your natural appearance, it will produce a younger version of yourself. This excellent anti-aging facial plastic surgery procedure won’t stop the facial aging process, but it will set it back by ten years.

It’s also possible to include facial rejuvenation procedures like eyelid surgery (“blepharoplasty”), a neck lift, and a brow lift to enhance facial beauty.

Livingston Plastic Surgery is located in the Houston Texas Medical Center, serving Houston, The Woodlands, and the Sugar Land communities. Learn more about facelift surgery and our practice by calling 281-501-1812 or schedule a consultation today.

FACELIFT BENEFITS

A facelift addresses the mid-face and below by repositioning tissue, tightening facial skin, and reducing wrinkles, lines, and folds. It removes sagging skin through advanced surgical techniques utilizing short, concealed incisions to create a beautiful, smooth, and youthful appearance.

Improvement is not restricted to physical appearance, but greater confidence and more self-esteem will help enhance personal and professional relationships as well. Tighter cheek and neck contours with an even skin texture will have you enjoying, not dreading the mirror each morning.

My entire experience was great!! They made me feel comfortable & answered every question/concern I had from consultation all the way to post-op!!

– Monica (Google Reviews)

CHOOSING A HOUSTON FACELIFT SURGEON

When considering a facelift or any cosmetic surgery, there are many options to choose from in the Houston area. However, although anyone licensed medical doctor can legally perform the procedure, only a board-certified plastic surgeon has the practical training, experience, and surgical technique to provide the safest, most effective facial rejuvenation results in all of aesthetic medicine.

Plastic surgeons are trained not only in the specifics of anatomy and cosmetic enhancements but also in reconstructive surgery. Board-certification requires ongoing training and continuing education to ensure surgeons are up on the latest technologies and techniques.

WHY DR. LIVINGSTON

Houston facelift professional Christopher K. Livingston, M.D., F.A.C.S., P.A., at Livingston Plastic Surgery, attracts patients throughout Texas. He is an excellent choice due to his experience and credentials; he is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), as well as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).  Our cosmetic facelift professional is also a plastic surgery consultant for cosmetic procedures on WedMD.com and the Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston – the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Otolaryngology.

FACELIFT PROCEDURAL STEPS

Surgery will begin once you are administered general anesthesia. Dr. Livingston will then create a series of incisions beneath the hairline and under the natural folds of the ears. Through these incisions, he removes displaced fat, and if necessary, redistributes the tissue to fill in hollows and resolve wrinkles. This repositioning of underlying tissue will provide a firmer, smoother skin texture on the neck and mid-face.

After repositioning the underlying facial muscles and tissues, Dr. Livingston removes any excess skin then redrapes it. Lastly, he closes the incisions with sutures; any scarring will be concealed under the hairline and natural folds of the ear. Results are not so dramatic that people will notice correction, but they will remark on how great you look.

A mini-facelift is available to patients who require less improvement. During your consultation, Dr. Livingston will access your concerns and recommend the best option for you.

facelift infographic

MINI-FACELIFT

This procedure requires less lift and less repositioning of tissue. A mini-facelift may lift the skin and reposition some underlying tissue on the middle portion of the face or the lower third, but not both.

There are many versions of a mini-facelift, and surgeons use various labels, like S-lift or Short-scar. Dr. Livingston uses shorter incisions, usually in front of the ears, and may employ endoscopic methods (with camera) to lift and move the skin and other tissues.

S-lift involves performing an S-shaped incision in front of the ear in the natural fold. The skin is repositioned with results affecting the jawline and the neck.

When one compares a mini-facelift with a full-facelift, the former version uses a shorter incision and repositions less tissue and skin. It also affects less of the face. A full facelift requires longer incisions and repositions more tissue. Both deliver excellent results according to individual need. Dr. Livingston will discuss which technique will provide the results you are trying to achieve.

FACELIFT RECOVERY

After surgery, a compression bandage will be placed around your face and neck to help minimize the bruising and swelling that occurs after surgery. A small tube may be placed under the skin to allow excess fluid and blood to drain from the incision site to ensure proper healing.

Swelling and bruising may take several weeks to resolve, and incision lines may take up to six months to fade and flatten. Usually, concealer make-up can be applied to hide the incisions after one week. Most patients can return to their normal activities within two to three weeks.

View Our Gallery

Curious about what’s possible? Explore Dr. Chris Livingston’s before and after gallery to see real plastic surgery patient transformations at Livingston Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX!

Get Started Today

Sugar Land, Pearland, and The Woodlands patients can schedule a consultation with Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Livingston, by filling out our online contact form. You may also call (281) 501-1812 if you are interested in undergoing a facelift in Houston with our surgeon.

Houston FACELIFT FAQS

Dr. Livingston explains the answers to some of the most common questions we get about facelift surgery in Houston, TX:

A facelift procedure, like most other plastic surgeries, doesn’t look the exact same for each patient who chooses to have one. Treatment areas may be different, there may be significant excess tissue in some cases and not others, and approaches may vary slightly for different patients. Because of this, there’s no fixed price for facelift surgery. Dr. Livingston and his team can provide you with a Houston facelift cost estimate after you are evaluated in a consultation.

At our practice in Houston, facelift surgery generally takes about 2-4 hours. Sometimes, however, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty),  brow lift, or neck lift are also included in a facial rejuvenation treatment plan, extending the duration of the facelift procedure by 1-3 hours.

It’s our goal to maximize both safety and comfort for each patient. A facelift is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be in a sleep-like state as Dr. Livingston is working. After the surgery, any lingering discomfort around the incision sites is managed with prescription pain medication and, eventually, over-the-counter medication.

Precautions such as sunscreen, a skin care routine, and other good habits can extend the results of facelift surgery to about a decade. Instead of getting another facelift down the road, patients often consider accessing non-surgical cosmetic options such as laser skin resurfacing and injectable treatments to maintain their new youthful and vibrant appearance.

We’ll cover all the important things you should do before your facelift surgery in Houston during your consultation, such as making adjustments to medication. We’ll also advise that you stop using tobacco products as soon as possible and remind you to make transportation arrangements the day of your facelift procedure. It’s a good idea to have some immediate help for at least the first few days, and there are things you can do, like meal prep, to make the initial stages of recovery a lot easier.

A lower facelift focuses on the jawline, jowls, and neck, making it ideal for patients who experience sagging in the lower third of the face but do not have significant aging in the midface or forehead. A full facelift, on the other hand, addresses the entire face, including the cheeks, jawline, and neck, for a more comprehensive rejuvenation.

A SMAS facelift (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) is an advanced technique that lifts and tightens the deeper layers of facial tissue, rather than just pulling the skin. This results in a more natural, longer-lasting rejuvenation compared to older facelift techniques, which only addressed surface-level sagging. The SMAS facelift is particularly effective for correcting jowls, midface sagging, and deep nasolabial folds.

A jowl lift, often performed as part of a lower facelift, reduces sagging along the jawline by lifting and tightening the skin and underlying muscles. This procedure helps restore a defined, youthful jawline and reduces the appearance of jowls, which are often caused by aging and gravity.

Jowl surgery typically refers to procedures specifically aimed at reducing jowls and sagging along the jawline. This can be accomplished through a lower facelift, liposuction, or other contouring techniques. Many patients include jowl correction as part of their facelift procedure for enhanced definition and a smoother transition between the lower face and neck.

The results of a facelift can last 10 to 15 years, depending on factors such as skin quality, genetics, and lifestyle habits. While a facelift does not stop the aging process, it can significantly restore the visible signs of aging to help you maintain a more youthful appearance for years to come.

Most patients recover from a lower facelift within 2 to 3 weeks, although minor swelling and residual tightness may last a few months. Patients can typically return to non-strenuous activities within 1 to 2 weeks and resume full exercise after 4 to 6 weeks.

Yes, many facelifts, particularly lower facelifts, include neck tightening to create a smoother, defined transition between the jawline and neck. If there is significant loose skin or muscle banding, a neck lift may be performed alongside the facelift for optimal results.

Facelift incisions are strategically placed along the hairline and around the ears, making them discreet and easily concealed. With proper post-surgical care, scars fade significantly over time and become barely noticeable.

Many patients choose to combine a facelift with:

  • Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) for a refreshed eye appearance
  • Brow lift to lines and wrinkles across the forehead
  • Fat grafting to restore volume loss in the cheeks and under the eyes
  • Neck lift to complement a lower facelift and refine jawline definition
  • Laser resurfacing or chemical peels to improve skin texture and tone

Ideal candidates for a facelift are individuals who:

  • Experience moderate to severe facial sagging
  • Have jowls, deep wrinkles, or loose skin along the jawline and neck
  • Are in good overall health and have realistic expectations
  • Want long-term facial rejuvenation beyond what fillers or non-surgical treatments can achieve