Which Facelift Option Is Right For You?
At Aesthetic MdR in Marina del Rey, Dr. Luis Macias approaches facelift surgery as a highly individualized process rather than a one-size-fits-all procedure. The goal is never to change how you look, but to help you look rested, refreshed, and naturally like yourself again.
This guide is designed to help our patients in the greater Los Angeles area understand their facelift options and begin narrowing down what feels right for them.
Most people begin thinking about a facelift (rhytidectomy) when something feels out of sync; they still recognize themselves, but their reflection looks more tired or aged than they feel day to day. Small changes like loosening skin, jowls, deeper folds, or softening along the neck often happen gradually, until the overall balance of the face starts to feel different.
A. Comprehensive Rejuvenation of the Face + Neck
If you’re noticing more advanced sagging through the cheeks, jawline, and neck:
- Deep Plane Facelift
This is the most comprehensive approach, addressing deeper facial structures rather than just tightening skin. It’s often chosen by patients with moderate to advanced facial aging who want the most long-lasting and natural-looking results.- Corrects jowls, deep folds, midface descent, and neck laxity
- Provides the most significant degree of correction
- Requires the longest recovery period
B. Midface-focused Lift (Cheeks, Under-eye Hollows)
This approach may be a good fit if you’ve noticed flattening through the cheeks, hollowness under the eyes, or a subtle downward shift in the midface.
- Vertical Facelift (Vertical Vector): Designed to lift facial tissues upward rather than pulling them back, helping maintain natural proportions and avoid an over-tight appearance.
- Focuses on vertical support and midface elevation
- Preserves a soft, natural facial contour
- Midface Lift: Targets the cheek area and under-eye region to restore youthful volume and support. This approach is less extensive than a full facelift but can offer meaningful improvement for the right candidate.
- Addresses cheek descent and under-eye hollows
- Ideal for patients without significant lower face laxity
C. Lower Face and Jawline
If jowls, loss of jawline definition, or early neck laxity are your main concerns, this approach may be appropriate.
- Lower Facelift: Targets the lower face and jawline, creating cleaner contours and a more defined profile without addressing the entire face.
- Effective for moderate sagging
- Often combined with neck rejuvenation for balanced results
D. Early Signs of Aging or Mild Sagging
This category is often an excellent option for patients in the early stages of facial aging who want noticeable improvement with a lighter surgical approach.
- Mini-Facelift: A less extensive surgical option with shorter incisions and a quicker recovery.
- Best for mild sagging
- Ideal for patients in their 40s–50s
- Subtle, refined enhancement rather than dramatic change
E. Non-surgical Options
Many patients choose non-surgical treatments as a way to ease into facial rejuvenation or to maintain their results after a facelift. If you’re not ready for surgery or are looking for a temporary improvement, these options may be worth exploring.
- Non-Surgical Facelift (Thread Lift, Dermal Fillers, Energy-based Devices):
- Best for mild laxity and early aging
- Can improve contours temporarily
- Not effective for significant sagging or excess skin
- Deep Plane Facelift
Recovery time is an important part of the decision-making process. While every patient heals at their own pace, understanding the general recovery window for each option can help you plan ahead with confidence.
- Minimal downtime (a few days): Non-surgical treatments, mini-facelift
- Moderate downtime (1–2 weeks): Midface lift, lower facelift, vertical lift
- Longer recovery (2–3+ weeks): Deep plane facelift
Dr. Macias will always tailor recommendations to your lifestyle, work schedule, and comfort level.
Not everyone needs the most aggressive approach. The right procedure is the one that addresses your concerns thoughtfully, without doing more than is necessary. Understanding this balance helps ensure you choose an option that fits both your anatomy and your lifestyle.
- Most complex/ longest-lasting: Deep plane facelift
- Moderate complexity: Vertical lift, midface lift, lower facelift
- Least complex: Mini-facelift and non-surgical options
Choosing the best facelift technique comes down to more than age alone. Skin quality, facial structure, and the degree of correction needed all play a role, along with your comfort level around recovery. Because each approach offers a different balance of lift and longevity, the focus is on selecting a method that works with your anatomy and supports natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Age & Skin Laxity
- Mild sagging: Mini-facelift or non-surgical
- Moderate: Lower facelift, midface lift, vertical lift
- Advanced: Deep plane facelift
Medical Considerations- Good overall health, the ability to tolerate anesthesia, and healthy healing capacity are key factors.
Expectations
- As with any surgical procedure, realistic expectations matter. Both surgical and non-surgical treatments offer varying degrees of improvement, so understanding the difference tends to lead to greater overall satisfaction.
- Surgical facelifts: Long-lasting, often many years
- Non-surgical options: Temporary, typically lasting 6–24 months, depending on the treatment
A facelift won’t halt the aging process, but it can soften many of the changes that develop over the years, allowing you to look refreshed without looking different.
While exact pricing will vary depending on your personal needs and the procedure being performed, Dr. Macias will discuss the financial aspects of your procedure during consultation. On average, the cost ranges are indicated below:
- Highest cost: Deep plane facelift
- Moderate–High: Vertical, midface, lower facelift
- Moderate: Mini-facelift
- Lowest: Non-surgical facelift
Dr. Macias’s Approach to Facelift Surgery
At Aesthetic MdR, facelift surgery is never approached as a “standardized procedure,” and Dr. Luis Macias believes the most successful facelifts begin with understanding how and where each individual’s face has aged, and just as importantly, how the patient wants to look and feel afterward.
Rather than focusing solely on tightening skin, Dr. Macias prioritizes restoring natural facial structure and balance. He carefully evaluates the deeper layers of the face, skin quality, bone structure, and areas of volume loss to determine which technique — or combination of methods — will deliver the most natural result. The goal is not a “pulled” or overly sculpted appearance, but a face that looks refreshed, rested, and authentically you.
During consultation, patients are encouraged to talk openly about what they see in the mirror, what feels unfamiliar, and what they hope to improve. Dr. Macias takes a measured, honest approach to recommendations, often guiding patients away from overly aggressive surgery when a more targeted solution will achieve better harmony.
Quick Selector
Ask yourself:
- Am I looking for surgical correction or a non-surgical option?
- Which area bothers me most — midface, jawline, neck, or the entire face?
- How much downtime can I realistically accommodate?
Your answers to these questions can help guide your initial conversation, but the final plan will always be crafted during a personal consultation with Dr. Macias.
Start your journey with trusted, personalized care.
Schedule Your Consultation
The first step toward facial rejuvenation is a thoughtful, one-on-one consultation with Dr. Luis Macias at Aesthetic MdR. During your visit, Dr. Macias will listen to your concerns, evaluate your facial anatomy, and help you understand which facelift option best aligns with your goals. This appointment is designed to give you clarity and confidence through honest guidance, personalized recommendations, and no pressure to move forward before you’re ready.
Schedule your consultation today to begin a plan that feels natural, informed, and right for you.