A Facelift, also known as Rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to address signs of aging in the face and neck. It involves lifting and tightening the skin, as well as underlying tissues and muscles, to create a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Facelifts can help reduce sagging skin, wrinkles, and jowls, resulting in smoother contours and a fresher overall look. This procedure is often tailored to the individual’s needs and can be combined with other cosmetic treatments, such as Laser Skin Resurfacing, Fat transfer, and Eyelid Lift, for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Good candidates for Facelifts typically include individuals who are experiencing visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as sagging skin, wrinkles, and loss of facial volume. Ideal candidates are generally in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the procedure. Other factors that can make someone a suitable candidate for a Facelift include:
The cost of a Facelift in Washington D.C. or Maryland is determined by numerous factors, including the facelift techniques Dr. Landford uses and the degree of change required. The best way to find out how much your Facelift surgery will cost is to come in for a consultation and have a procedure plan created. With this information, our Patient Coordinator will be able to provide you with a complete breakdown of the costs.
If you are interested in Facelift surgery in Washington DC or Maryland, the first step is to schedule your consultation at Landford Plastic Surgery. When you come in for your appointment, you will be able to meet with Dr. Wilmina Landford who will examine your face, listen to your aesthetic goals, and answer any questions you may have about the procedure. She will also ask you questions about your medical history, so it is important to be honest and clear about your goals to help prevent any unnecessary risks.
Once the two of you have decided on the best Facelift technique for you and any other details pertaining to the surgery, Dr. Landford will create your customized procedure plan. Once everything is ready, our Patient Coordinator will schedule your surgery and provide you with the appropriate information and directions to follow before your procedure.
Preparing for Facelift surgery involves a combination of medical, logistical, and emotional steps to ensure a smooth and successful experience. Here are some general guidelines to help you prepare:
At Landford Plastic Surgery, we have seen our Facelift plastic surgery patients enjoy the following benefits from their procedure:
When you come in for your Washington DC or Maryland Facelift surgery, you will be placed under general or local anesthesia, depending on the type of facelift you are getting. Once you are properly sedated, Dr. Landford will begin making the appropriate incisions.
Once Dr. Landford is finished, the incisions will be closed and your face may be wrapped in a bandage to minimize swelling and bruising, as well as to keep your incisions clean and protected.
Depending on what your individual aesthetic goals are, Dr. Landford will utilize a variety of techniques and incisions during your Facial Plastic Surgery in both Washington D.C. and Maryland, but below are the more commonly requested Facelift procedures.
Considered to be the most invasive technique, a Deep Plane Facelift does produce the longest-lasting results, with a lot of patients seeing results lasting up to 15 years. Patients will have a successful flattening of the nasolabial fold (a.k.a. the “Smile lines” or “Laugh lines”) with an additional target to the mid-face region, reaching deep tissues and the deeper layers of your facial muscle.
After you’ve been administered intravenous sedation with local anesthesia, Dr. Landford will mark the locations on your skin where she intends to make the incisions around the hairline and ears. She will then tighten and secure the layer of connective tissue and underlying muscle beneath your skin, releasing strategic ligaments at a deeper level to lift and rejuvenate your appearance, as well as repositioning the underlying layer of muscle and tissue. Once she is finished, Dr. Landford will carefully close the incisions.
During the initial three weeks of your recovery, there will be significant bruising, swelling, and discomfort. You will need to continuously wear a compression garment and neck support during the first few weeks, or until Dr. Landford removes them.
You will need to avoid working for the first two weeks so you can recover comfortably, and avoid any strenuous activity for six weeks. It is not uncommon to see ongoing swelling or bruising for longer than a year, but if you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
The Mini Facelift is a slightly modified version of a traditional facelift and helps minimize loose skin around the lower portion of your face. Most plastic surgeons consider Mini Facelifts to be less invasive and require less excessive skin removal than other facial surgeries.
Dr. Landford will make discreet incisions behind your ears that are easily hidden once healed. Using the incision, your skin, and facial muscles are carefully tightened, with any excess tissue being removed. Your incisions are then closed with a precision suturing technique that reduces tension on your skin and minimizes visible scarring.
This surgery usually lasts less than two hours. You can expect to experience some mild swelling and bruising, but a Mini Lift has a much less intense recovery when compared to traditional Full Facelift surgery.
This technique uses small incisions around the hairline and ear which allow Dr. Landford to tighten and smooth out the underlying tissue and muscles. She will also elevate your cheek fat pads (clinically referred to as malar pads) to create a more elevated cheekbone appearance. Once the fat pads are placed into a suitable position, the incisions are sutured and closed.
This procedure will take about two hours, with most patients being able to see their final results within two or three months. You may notice that your cheeks are very defined during the initial stages of your recovery, it should gradually settle into a more natural position over time.
Awake Facelift is a surgical procedure performed while the patient is under local anesthesia or mild sedation. Unlike traditional facelifts, which are typically performed under general anesthesia or heavier sedation, the patient remains awake and alert during the procedure.
During an Awake Facelift, Dr. Landford will provide you with medication that will help you relax throughout the procedure. She will prepare and numb specific areas of the face where the surgery will be performed.
The advantages of the surgery include fewer Anesthesia risks when compared to general anesthesia, a faster recovery time, and minimal nausea.
Dr. Landford provides Awake Facelift procedures for her patients in both Washington D.C. and Maryland.
The location of any incisions or scars from a Facelift procedure will depend on the type of Facelift you receive. Typically, a Traditional Facelift will have an incision that starts in your sideburns and immediately pass in front of the ear, then curving behind the ear and into the hairline of the neck.
In some common instances, Dr. Landford may also place a well-concealed incision under the chin and jaw to help refine the neck.
Once you are out of surgery, you will be monitored for a bit in our recovery room as you come out of sedation. Once you are released by Dr. Landford, you will be able to return home to recover in peace. We strongly recommend having a family member or friend available to provide you with a ride home and provide assistance around the house during the first few days of your recovery.
You should keep your head elevated as you rest for the first few days and take your prescribed medications to prevent infection and alleviate any pain. After a few days, your bandages will be removed and you may be required to wear an elastic facial sling to keep supporting your new face as it settles into its final resting position; stitches are typically removed a week post-surgery.
You will have restrictions with certain tasks (i.e. bathing, styling your hair, types of clothing you can wear, etc.) during the first few weeks of recovery. You will also be advised to avoid strenuous activities, sun exposure, drinking alcohol, and using saunas, hot tubs, or steam rooms during the first two weeks. Most patients can expect to return to work within a few weeks, but your recovery process is largely dependent on your health and which procedure you received.
Choose Dr. Wilmina Landford for a transformation that goes beyond the surface – where your beauty is nurtured by a wealth of experience and an artist’s touch. With a distinguished education background including a bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Mount Holyoke College, a medical degree from Stony Brook Medicine, and rigorous training at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital, Wilmina Landford, M.D.’s expertise is a testament to her dedication. Her profound understanding of aesthetics and meticulous craftsmanship combine to deliver results that inspire confidence.
If you are looking to achieve a more youthful appearance, a Facelift consultation with Dr. Landford in Washington DC or Maryland could be a great step in the right direction. Call our office located nearest to you and schedule your Facelift consultation with one of our friendly and helpful team members, or use our website to fill out an appointment request and someone will be with you as soon as possible.
Schedule NowA Transformative Journey of Empowerment