Facelift Surgery in Vancouver, BC

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to reduce signs of aging in the face and neck. It involves lifting and tightening the facial skin, underlying muscles, and tissues to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. Excess skin is also removed. Depending on the patient’s goals, a facelift may address sagging cheeks, jowls, deep folds around the mouth, and loose skin on the neck.

Ideal candidates for a facelift are individuals:

• Experiencing noticeable facial sagging or deep wrinkles.
• In good overall health and free from medical conditions that impair healing.
• Non-smokers or willing to stop smoking before and after surgery.
• Realistic about the outcomes and aware that results enhance but do not halt aging.

• Traditional Facelift: Addresses the mid-to-lower face and neck comprehensively.
• Mini Facelift: A less invasive option for those with mild to moderate aging signs.
• Deep Plane Facelift: Focuses on lifting deeper layers for more natural results.
• Neck Lift: Often combined with a facelift to target neck sagging and bands.

Your surgeon will recommend the most suitable technique based on your concerns and anatomy.

Recovery times vary but generally follow this timeline:

• First Week: Bruising and swelling are most noticeable; patients may feel tightness.
• Weeks 2–3: Bruising subsides, and most patients feel comfortable resuming light activities.
• Week 4 and Beyond: Swelling continues to diminish, and results become more evident. Most patients return to normal routines within 4–6 weeks.

Yes, for individuals not ready for surgery, non-surgical options can provide subtle improvements:

• Dermal Fillers: Restore volume and reduce wrinkles.
• Neuromodulators (e.g., Botox): Address fine lines and prevent wrinkles.
• Thread Lifts: Offer temporary lifting effects.
• Energy-Based Treatments (e.g., Ultherapy, RF Microneedling): Tighten skin non-invasively.

These treatments work best for mild to moderate aging and do not replace surgical results.

With a skilled surgeon, facelift scars are typically well-hidden along the hairline, around the ears, and sometimes under the chin. With proper aftercare and time, they fade significantly and are barely noticeable.

A mini facelift is a less invasive version of a traditional facelift. It focuses primarily on the lower face and jawline to treat early signs of aging. It uses shorter incisions (usually around the ears) and has a shorter recovery time, making it popular for younger patients (ages 35–45).

A deep plane facelift is an advanced technique that releases and repositions the deep muscle layer (SMAS) and fat pads as one unit with the skin. Unlike older techniques that only pulled the skin, this method addresses the structural causes of aging, resulting in a more natural look that avoids the "wind-blown" effect.

A traditional facelift typically "turns back the clock" by about 10 years. While the surgery is permanent, aging continues.

Facelifts have evolved from "skin-only" pulls (which caused the stretched, "wind-tunnel" look of the 1980s and 90s) to structural repositioning. Modern skilled surgeons now lift the deep muscle layers (SMAS) and fat pads vertically, also known as a deep plane facelift, restoring the face's natural anatomy rather than just stretching the skin tight.

A liquid facelift is a non-surgical procedure that uses injectables (dermal fillers like Juvéderm or Restylane and neuromodulators like Botox) to restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and contour the face. It offers immediate results with no downtime but is temporary (lasting 6–18 months).

A "Ponytail Facelift" is a marketing term for a minimally invasive endoscopic lift. It creates the pulled-back look of a tight ponytail by lifting the brows, cheeks, and eyes through small incisions hidden in the hairline. It avoids incisions in front of the ears but is generally less effective for significant neck sagging.

No. A facelift tightens the skin over the throat, which can actually make a prominent Adam’s apple (thyroid cartilage) more visible because the camouflaging loose skin is gone. To reduce an Adam’s apple, a separate procedure called a tracheal shave is required.

Yes, potentially. Surgeons often advise avoiding chewing gum for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. Excessive jaw movement can irritate the healing muscles and potentially widen the scars around the ears, compromising the fine line of the incision.

You must sleep on your back with your head elevated (on 2–3 pillows) for 2 to 4 weeks post-surgery. Sleeping on your side too early can put pressure on incisions and cause asymmetrical swelling.

You should wait at least 4 to 6 weeks before colouring your hair. The chemicals in hair dye can irritate healing incisions (especially those hidden in the hairline) and increase the risk of infection or poor scarring.