Facelift
What is a Facelift?
As we age, our facial skin, muscles, and ligaments loosen, wrinkle, and relax. Our fat pockets also descend or get smaller. Many factors contribute to this process including UVA/UVB exposure, the normal aging process and changes in skin collagen content, weight changes, pollution, and genetics.
A facelift is a deeply personalized procedure—no two faces are the same, and no two facelifts should be either. The face is the center of identity and expression, which is why each surgical plan is customized to your unique anatomy, goals, and aesthetic preferences.
Facial surgery is the ultimate expression of art and science in plastic surgery. It requires a profound respect for the individual’s identity. My goal is to enhance, not alter, the features that make you uniquely you.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
You can’t use a standard technique for everyone. As surgeons, we have a wide range of options. The technique must be customized to a patient’s expectations and what their anatomy will allow me to do in a safe and predictable way.
Ideal candidates are often bothered by:
- Sagging in the cheeks and mid-face.
- The development of jowls along the jawline.
- Deep creases, such as nasolabial folds (smile lines).
- A general loss of youthful contour and a tired appearance.
Feel Like Yourself
Natural, Elegant Results
There is an art to an exceptional facelift. It requires not only surgical expertise but also a deep understanding of facial anatomy and an eye for balance. More is not always better—a refined, natural result comes from thoughtful restraint, technical precision, and a shared vision.
What To Expect
I take a comprehensive view to ensure your facelift harmonizes with your overall anatomy, including your hairline, ears, eyes, and brow. Together, we’ll craft a plan that balances your lifestyle, expectations, and the nuances of your unique face.
What I Evaluate During Your Consultation
We will have several consultations to create a detailed surgical plan. I coordinate with your internist for medical clearance and take a whole-body approach, considering your health, nutrition, and lifestyle to ensure your results are beautiful, natural-looking, and long-lasting.
I analyze the face in distinct anatomical layers, each playing a role in how we age:
Bony Foundation
Muscles & Ligaments
The supportive layers that stretch and relax over time.
SMAS Layer
The key network linking deeper structures to the skin, which I reposition to create a lasting, natural lift.
Fatty Layer
The source of facial volume and contour, which can be augmented or reduced.
Attention to Detail
Skin & Dermis
What to Expect During Surgery
A facelift is the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and involves tightening of the facial and neck muscles and ligaments and removal of excess skin. It can also involve repositioning or replacement of fat in areas of loss.
Incisions are meticulously placed within the natural contours of your hairline and ears to be virtually invisible once healed. I address volume, tighten deeper structures, and gently redrape the skin for a refreshed, youthful result.
Your surgical plan may involve one or more of the following techniques:
Comprehensive Facelift
Mini Facelift
Complementary Procedures
Recovery & Healing
Schedule Consultation
Turn your dreams into reality
Get in-depth personal consultation where I will review your goals, anatomy, and medical history to formulate a plan that is specific to you.
I am located in a beautiful and classic San Francisco neighborhood called Pacific Heights.
Directions: Apple | Google
Phone: 415-981-3911
FAQs
What is the "best" age for a facelift?
There is no “best” age. The right time for surgery depends on your individual anatomy, the degree of aging, and when you feel ready. I have performed facial rejuvenation on patients in their 40s as well as their 70s. The key factor is your health and your personal goals, not the number on your driver’s license.
I'm afraid of looking "pulled" or "unnatural." How do you avoid that?
How long do the results of facial rejuvenation last?
Can I combine multiple procedures in one surgery?
What about non-surgical options like Botox or fillers?
Non-surgical treatments are excellent tools for maintenance and for addressing specific, less advanced concerns like fine lines (Botox) or minor volume loss (fillers). See my injectables page for more information. They can be a great starting point or used to complement surgical results. However, for significant sagging, skin laxity, and extensive volume loss, surgical rejuvenation provides a more definitive and long-lasting solution. We can discuss a comprehensive plan that may include both surgical and non-surgical treatments.
Your Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Options
Every face tells a different story, and every surgical plan is tailored to that story. Below are the core procedures I utilize, often in combination, to achieve comprehensive and balanced facial rejuvenation.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
To address sagging in the mid-face, jowls, and deep facial folds.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
To rejuvenate tired-looking eyes by addressing sagging skin and puffiness.
Brow & Forehead Lift
To elevate a heavy or drooping brow and smooth the forehead.
Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty)
To redefine the jawline and correct sagging skin or bands in the neck.
Facial Fat Grafting (Fat Transfer)
To restore youthful volume and improve facial contours using your own natural fat.
Chin & Facial Liposuction
To remove targeted fat deposits and sculpt the jawline and neck.
Buccal Fat Pad Excision
To selectively reduce fullness in the lower cheeks for a more contoured look.
My Approach
I am committed to the highest standards of patient care and plastic surgery. I believe in developing a strong relationship with my patients in order to best serve their needs and desires.
Furthemore, I am committed to the art and science of plastic surgery and believe that the best results come from a combination of technique, knowledge of patient anatomy, and artistry. My goal is to achieve excellence with a natural aesthetic and elegance while matching the patients’ desires to what is surgically possible so that they can radiate from the inside out. I look forward to meeting you.
Patient Testimonials
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Dear Dr. Nguyen, I am so grateful I chose you as my breast augmentation surgeon. My results are not only natural, but feel authentic to me! Beyond what I hoped for.
I feel happier and more like myself than ever before. I only wish I had found you sooner! THANK YOU!!
Words cannot explain our gratitude for all your thoughtfulness and care. You will always be in our hearts.
Dr. Nguyen is very professional with her patient consultation. I highly recommend her for any surgical procedure.
Dr. Nguyen, Thanks isn’t enough for the exceptional care you’ve given me. Thank you and my sincerest gratitude for making me feel like myself again.
Dr. Nguyen was incredible during my entire process with my BA procedure. She helped me select the size that felt perfect and natural for me and was incredibly attentive with all of my questions and concerns both during and after my procedure.
I am thrilled with my results 7 months post-op and highly recommend Dr. Nguyen.
