FaceLift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Houston, TX and The Woodlands, TX

Real Patient

A facelift is a facial rejuvenation procedure that elevates your facial tissues to restore a more youthful-looking appearance across the face and neck. (1) There are multiple ways to perform facelifts, with each targeting various age-related concerns across differing regions of the face.

Before and After Photos

Dr. Sanaz Harirchian, M.D., is an Ivy-League-educated, fellowship-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Harirchian focuses her practice on aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, and she specifically specializes in facelifts, necklifts, and facial contouring procedures. She has extensive experience within her field, giving her the unique training and knowledge needed to address the complex and delicate structures of the face.

If you are ready to schedule a consultation with Dr. Harirchian, please contact us online or call (713) 701-7269 to reach both our Houston and The Woodlands offices.

About Facelifts

A facelift, or a rhytidectomy, is a procedure that can address visible signs of aging across the face and neck.

As you age, the muscles, connective tissues, and fat pads in your face and neck can gradually change in composition. The platysma muscles in the neck can lose their tone and create a sagging or drooped appearance, your subcutaneous facial fat can begin to descend and thin, and your skin can lose its elasticity. These changes can lead to the formation of deep nasolabial folds, deepened marionette lines, poorly-defined contours, an excessively full jawline, neck banding, and more. By undergoing a facelift procedure, you can address each of these concerns and restore an appearance that reflects your inner vitality.

Types of Facelifting Procedures

Dr. Harirchian can perform several variations of the facelift to address varying concerns. During your consultation, she can help you determine which one best suits your goals and circumstances.

Full Facelift

A full facelift, or traditional facelift, addresses age-related concerns found across the middle and lower portions of the face, as well as your neck. During this procedure, Dr. Harirchian will dissect into the deep plane structures of your face, which consist of the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) and the platysma muscles. She will then lift and elevate your tissues to restore a naturally refreshed appearance across your face and neck, eliminating concerns such as wrinkles, sagging skin, jowling, and descending facial fat.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift primarily addresses early signs of aging in the face. This procedure is less extensive than a full facelift, nor does it address the neck, making it ideal for patients experiencing concerns such as minimal to mild skin laxity, deepening nasolabial folds, early signs of tissue descent, and early jowl development.

Facelift After Weight Loss

A facelift after weight loss is a variation of the full facelift that focuses on correcting the lasting physical changes left from losing weight. Whether you underwent a traditional weight loss journey or GLP-1-induced weight loss, sagging skin and facial hollowing become a common struggle. With a facelift after weight loss, Dr. Harirchian can address each of these changes and help you achieve a look that truly reflects your efforts.

Revision Facelift

A revision facelift is a specialized procedure that can correct the results of a previous facelift procedure. (2) Dr. Harirchian can correct disappointing results caused by over-tightened skin, uneven or asymmetrical contours, and unnatural lifting patterns, allowing you to attain the refreshed appearance initially sought.

Benefits

Facelifts offer several benefits, including:

  • Tighter, Smoother Skin: Dr. Harirchian can help you address any redundancy or sagging skin.
  • Eliminated Jowls: A facelift can create a sharper, more chiseled appearance across the jawline.
  • Accentuated Contours: This treatment can help redefine the appearance of your natural facial sculpt.
  • Softened Signs of Aging: A facelift can comprehensively refresh your appearance by addressing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, creases, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and more.
  • Restored Volume: A facelift can address hollowing or facial volume loss, especially when it occurs in the mid-face.
  • Tailored Treatment Plans: Dr. Harirchian tailors each procedure to her patient’s needs and natural anatomy.
  • Easily Combinable: Dr. Harirchian can perform your facelift in conjunction with another treatment or procedure to comprehensively enhance your outcomes.

Candidates

It may be time to consider a facelift if you have found yourself struggling with:

  • Sagging Skin
  • Descending Facial Fat
  • Nasolabial Folds
  • Jowling
  • Festoons
  • Neck Banding
  • Marionette Lines
  • Excessive Fullness
  • Poorly-Defined Contours
  • Facial Hollowing (1)

To qualify for a facelift, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should also be nicotine-free or willing to quit smoking entirely. Dr. Harirchian will assess your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

We ask that each patient attend a personal consultation before scheduling their procedure. Dr. Harirchian will assess your medical history, including any previous procedures you have undergone, any allergies you possess, and any underlying medical conditions you may have. She will ask you about your personal concerns and learn more about your ideal aesthetic. She will also perform a physical examination of your natural facial structure and skin quality.

Dr. Harirchian will then use this information to finalize your candidacy and create a one-of-a-kind solution. She will determine the best variation of facelift for you and tailor each aspect of it to suit your goals. As she does this, she will explain what to expect from your facelift, including how she will perform the procedure, how to prepare for it, and how to care for yourself afterward. She will also answer any questions or concerns you may have.

If you are ready to take the first step toward refreshing your appearance, please contact us online or call (713) 701-7269. We offer consultations at both our Houston and The Woodlands offices.

Preparation

Once you have decided to proceed with your procedure, Dr. Harirchian will provide you with a set of written instructions to help you prepare. These may vary depending on the details of your treatment plan, but you can expect them to include:

  • Avoiding Certain Medications: Under the proper medical guidance, discontinue using any medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning or antiplatelet properties.
  • Arranging Transportation: Have a trusted friend or family member take you home after your procedure, and if needed, stay with you for the first night of your recovery.
  • Preparing Time Away: Make arrangements to take a step away from your career and social commitments.
  • Picking Up Medications: Fill any prescriptions that you will need as you heal.
  • Ceasing Certain Substances: Stop consuming any nicotine or alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure, and prepare to maintain your abstinence in the weeks afterward.

Procedure

Dr. Harirchian performs each facelift on an outpatient basis at her surgical center. Once she and her team cleanse your skin, you will receive intravenous (IV) anesthesia. She will then place an incision within the hairline, dissecting down to your face’s deep plane, as well as beneath the chin. These two sites offer optimal access to the underlying structures of both the neck and face while also keeping any potential scarring barely visible.

Dr. Harirchian will then proceed to carefully remove excess skin and fat from around the neck. She will perform a corset platysmaplasty to tighten the muscles in the region. This consists of taking the edges of the weakened muscles, bringing them together, and then suturing them in place.

Dr. Harirchian will then address the structures of the face by elevating your facial skin and tissues, releasing certain ligaments, tightening weakened muscles, and repositioning your facial fat.

She will then redrape the skin, removing any excess to restore a smoother and tighter look and feel. Dr. Harirchian will then close each incision using sutures before dressing the area to protect it. Her team will then transport you to her recovery suite to rest.

Recovery

After a facelift, you can expect some initial swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the treated areas. These effects will subside on their own, but you may also manage them using prescribed medications and elevating your head while resting. After approximately one to two weeks, you may return to your career and other light activities. However, you will need to refrain from participating in anything arduous for several weeks, or until Dr. Harirchian has approved your return.

Dr. Harirchian will provide you with a detailed set of written instructions during your consultation. You must follow each one as she directs, as the quality of your aftercare will directly influence the results of your facelift.

Results

You will be able to enjoy the results of your facelift once you have fully recovered and any residual swelling has subsided. While they will vary, you can expect to experience smoother and tighter skin, more sculpted contours, elevated proportions, and improved facial symmetry. Each of these effects can contribute to a more youthful-looking appearance, as well as a greater sense of self-esteem and self-confidence.

The results of a facelift are long-lasting, with effects that you can enjoy for up to a decade. To best preserve your appearance, Dr. Harirchian recommends maintaining an effective skincare routine and wearing the proper sun protection when leaving the house.

Cost of Facelifts in Houston, Texas

Dr. Harirchian will discuss your financial obligations with you once she has established each detail of your treatment plan. This is because the pricing may vary depending on the type of facelift you receive, the type of corrections you undergo, the extent of the procedure overall, and more.

We additionally offer financing for anyone who may be interested.

FAQ

What concerns can a facelift address?

A facelift can address various age-related changes, such as sagging skin, descending fat pads, deep nasolabial folds, jowls, marionette lines, wrinkles, poorly-defined facial contours, facial hollowing, platysmal banding, and more.

What type of facelift procedures can Dr. Harirchian perform?

Dr. Harirchian can perform several different facelift variations, including the traditional facelift, mini facelift, revision facelift, and facelift after weight loss.

How can I confirm my candidacy for a facelift?

Attending a personal consultation with Dr. Harirchian is the best way to finalize your candidacy. We offer consultations at our Houston and The Woodlands offices.

Will my facelift leave significant scarring?

Dr. Harirchian hides each incision around your ears and within the hairline to maintain your discretion. As you heal, any scars will fade and flatten until they are barely perceptible.

How will I know what type of facelift is right for me?

During your consultation, Dr. Harirchian can assess your medical history, examine your facial anatomy, and assess your concerns. Using this information, she will determine the best type of facelift for your needs.

Can Dr. Harirchian combine my facelift with another procedure?

Yes, if you are interested in more transformative results, Dr. Harirchian can integrate another procedure into your treatment plan. We recommend requesting a consultation for more information and personalized recommendations.

References

  1. Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. Nih.gov. Published March 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/#article-28568.s4
  2. Dibbs RP, Chamata E, Ferry AM, Friedman JD. Revision Facelift and Neck Lift. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2021;35(02):088-097. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1727208