What Is a Facelift?

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that restores a more youthful appearance by removing excess skin, elevating sagging tissues, and tightening the underlying musculature. The procedure uses discreet incisions around the ear and beneath the chin to create a smooth, scar-free complexion that complements your results.

What Can a Facelift Achieve?

  • Restore youthful contours to the cheeks and jawline
  • Soften nasolabial folds and marionette lines
  • Improve neck definition
  • Reverse visible signs of aging across the entire face
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Redefine Aging Gracefully

Dr. Teitelbaum understands the deeply personal nature of your decision to pursue plastic surgery, and he works intentionally to deliver the results you deserve. While every patient has their own motivations for undergoing a facelift, all can expect the following benefits:

  • More youthful facial contours
  • Reduced appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and deep folds
  • Lifted cheeks and jowls
  • Enhanced self-confidence and emotional expression

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Are You a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Ideal candidates for a facelift in Los Angeles are healthy, non-smoking adults who fit the following criteria:

  • Exhibit visible signs of aging in the mid-to-lower face, including jowling, sagging cheeks, or deep nasolabial folds
  • Have excess skin or vertical banding in the neck
  • Possess adequate skin elasticity and a strong bone structure to support your result
  • Are not currently taking blood-thinning medications that cannot be paused

During your consultation, Dr. Teitelbaum will review your medical history and perform an in-depth physical examination to confirm your candidacy. Based on his findings, he may recommend a specific facelift technique or direct you to alternative treatments. 

Before & After Face and Neck Lift

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Why Choose Dr. Teitelbaum?

Dr. Teitelbaum’s facelift results have been studied internationally for their beauty, discretion, and natural look. His aesthetic judgment is rooted in classical anatomy and artistic proportion, allowing him to avoid distorted, pulled-back results.

An Elite Education

Prior to opening his private practice in 1995, Dr. Steven Teitelbaum received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Medicine and completed his residency training at Harvard University. During his education, he earned dual board certifications in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery, and he worked in the plastic surgery wards of the LA County Hospital to further refine his skills.

Putting Patients First

As a patient, you’ll feel Dr. Teitelbaum’s passion for plastic surgery and thoughtful, personalized care from your first consultation to your final follow-up. He leads with integrity, transparency, and trust every step of the way, helping you achieve your goals without gimmicks or trendy treatments. He holds his long-term team, which includes a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist, to the highest safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction standards in the industry.

Advancing the Field of Plastic Surgery

Dr. Teitelbaum has taken his advanced expertise and innovative facelift techniques worldwide, delivering lectures on five continents and sharing his knowledge with peers and students alike. He’s published his surgical research in peer-reviewed journals like Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, and he’s earned leadership roles in the following professional organizations:

  • Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, 2016-2017 President
  • California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chair
  • Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Board Member

Schedule A Consultation

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Your Confidential Consultation

Your journey with Dr. Teitelbaum will begin with a one-on-one consultation at his Los Angeles practice. There, you’ll discuss your aesthetic goals, concerns, and medical history, and Dr. Teitelbaum will assess your facial anatomy, skin health, and muscle strength to determine if a facelift is right for you. Then, he’ll begin building your customized facelift plan.

Pricing Your Procedure

Because every facelift procedure is unique, the final cost can vary widely. Most facelifts range from $40,000 - $65,000, and Dr. Teitelbaum’s team will provide a clear cost estimate, including financing options, for total transparency.

The cost of your facelift in Los Angeles will depend on the following factors:

  • Surgical complexity
  • Facelift technique
  • Extent of correction
  • Whether any additional procedures will be performed in the same surgical session

What to Expect From Your Facelift in Los Angeles

Your facelift will be performed under general anesthesia at Dr. Teitelbaum’s exclusive, AAAHC-accredited surgical center in Santa Monica. During surgery, he’ll make strategic incisions along the edges of the face, typically behind the ears and below the chin, to access the underlying structures. He’ll carefully reposition fat, tighten muscles, and remove excess skin to refresh and rejuvenate the face.

Once he’s finished working underneath the skin, Dr. Teitelbaum will redrape the remaining tissue to form your brighter, tighter, more youthful complexion. All incisions will be closed with small sutures to promote rapid healing and smooth, consistent scars.

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Patient-Centered Recovery

Recovery after a facelift in Santa Monica & Los Angeles typically involves mild swelling, bruising, and tightness for up to three weeks, and you’ll need to stay on bedrest with your head elevated for at least the first 12 hours after your procedure. Most patients can resume light activity, including walking, social gatherings, and desk work, within 7-10 days.

Your Customized Recovery Plan

After your procedure, you’ll receive a customized recovery plan tailored to your body’s needs. This plan may include the following items:

  • Incision site care and cleaning protocols
  • Activity limitations
  • Hygiene recommendations
  • Sleep position restrictions
  • Supportive garment guidance, if applicable

Ongoing Follow-Up and Healing

You’ll return to Dr. Teitelbaum’s office several times over the coming months for regular follow-up appointments with his team. There, he’ll remove any remaining sutures, check your healing progress, and approve you to resume strenuous activities like high-impact exercise, bending, and swimming. It may take up to two months for residual swelling to fully fade and for your final results to emerge.

I had a facelift with upper and lower eyelids done four weeks ago by Dr. Teitelbaum. I must say the entire experience was exceptional from start to finish. The support from his nursing staff was so helpful and comforting. They were always available for questions. Dr. Moorman, the anesthesiologist, did such an amazing job. I was awake and ready to be discharged from recovery in 40 minutes. My result looks so natural; I am thrilled with the way it looks!! Who says you can’t go back in time! Recovery went so smoothly, with very little discomfort; I only took three pain pills. I truly did not need more. I was merely the canvas for Dr. Teitelbaum‘s fine surgical skills and aesthetic artistry.

Vicki Koplow

Schedule Your Consultation for a Facelift in Los Angeles

Experience the confidence and artistry of a facelift in the Los Angeles & Santa Monica area by Dr. Teitelbaum. Contact his practice today to learn more about facial rejuvenation and schedule your initial consultation.

Types of Facelifts

Dr. Teitelbaum’s expertise goes beyond traditional procedures to offer the following specialized facelift techniques:

  • Deep Plane Facelift: Designed for patients of advanced ages, this technique elevates deeper tissues for a more comprehensive rejuvenation.
  • SMAS Facelift: This technique targets sagging in the lower face, including the cheeks, jowls, and jawline.
  • Mid-Facelift: Here, Dr. Teitelbaum focuses on lifting the cheeks and softening nasolabial folds.
  • Mini Facelift: The mini facelift addresses early signs of aging with subtle enhancements, shorter scars, and less recovery time.
  • Non-Surgical Facelift: For patients seeking a minimally invasive alternative, this technique uses injectables and skin resurfacing to refresh the face without surgery.

During your consultation, Dr. Teitelbaum will walk you through his recommendations to ensure you’re fully informed on each technique.

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Completing Your Transformation

Many of Dr. Teitelbaum’s patients in Los Angeles and Santa Monica include a facelift as part of a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation plan. Complementary procedures include the following:

Facelift FAQs

Can a facelift remove all of my wrinkles?

A facelift primarily targets sagging skin and underlying facial structures, and some fine lines and wrinkles may remain after skin tightening. Any lines or creases in your excess skin will be removed.

Will I be able to move my face after a facelift?

You may experience temporary tightness or numbness during early recovery, but this should resolve shortly. As swelling fades, you’ll regain full control of your facial muscles, restoring your normal facial movement.

At what age should someone consider a facelift?

There is no “right” age, only a right moment. Most patients seek facelifts in their 50s and 60s, but Dr. Teitelbaum often treats patients in their 40s who want to address early signs of aging.

How long will my results last?

The results of your facelift are designed to be long-lasting, with patients enjoying their results for 7-15 years. You can extend the longevity of your results by maintaining a consistent skincare routine.

Will my scars be seen when I wear my hair up?

Dr. Teitelbaum strategically places scars along the natural curves of the face to minimize their visibility over time, even when the hair is worn up. Most scars heal to be nearly invisible.

References

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