"Facelift" is one of those words that covers a surprising amount of ground. Two people can both say they had one and mean very different operations, with different incisions, different recovery and different results. That makes shopping around confusing, especially when every practice seems to describe its own version as the best.
This guide sorts the main options into plain categories so you can see where each one fits. Dr. Justin Bellamy performs facelifts at his Palm Beach Gardens practice, and the differences below are the ones that come up most often in consultation.
What every facelift has in common
At its core, a facelift, or rhytidectomy, lifts and repositions the tissues of the lower and middle face, removes excess skin and smooths the jawline and jowls. Incisions are placed where they can be hidden: around the ear, in the hairline, sometimes under the chin. The differences between types come down to three things: how deep the surgeon works, how much of the face is treated, and how much recovery you're willing to plan for.
Keep that in mind as you read. A bigger operation is not automatically a better one. The right facelift is the smallest one that fully addresses what is bothering you.
Traditional facelift
The traditional facelift is the classic full-face approach. Incisions run along the hairline near the temples, around the front of the ear and behind it. Through them, the surgeon tightens the underlying support layer, redrapes the skin and trims what's extra. It treats the cheeks, jawline and neck in one operation, and it is often paired with a neck lift, eyelid surgery or a brow lift.
It suits people with moderate to significant sagging, deeper folds and loose neck skin. Traditionally this operation has been done under general anesthesia with a recovery of two to four weeks before you look fully presentable. Results vary with the technique used, which is why "traditional" isn't one single thing. Some versions fold and stitch the support layer, and others release and lift it. That difference is what the deep plane versus SMAS comparison explains in detail.
Mini facelift
A mini facelift is the lighter option. Incisions are shorter, usually around the ear, and the work focuses on the lower face and jawline. It is meant for early to moderate sagging, such as the first hint of jowls or a jawline that is starting to soften.
Because it involves less dissection, recovery is usually quicker, often one to two weeks, and it can often be done under local anesthesia. The trade-off is scope. A mini lift can't do much for a neck with heavy bands or for significant skin excess, and the result tends to be subtler and, for some patients, shorter-lived than a fuller operation. If you're in your forties or early fifties and mostly bothered by the jawline, it may be all you need.
Mid-facelift
The mid-facelift concentrates on the cheeks and the folds that run from the nose to the mouth. It lifts the fat pad that slides down with age, restoring fullness under the eyes and along the cheekbone. Jawline and neck stay untouched.
That makes it a good choice for someone whose main change is a flattened, dropped midface. It is a narrower operation, and it does not tackle jowls or neck laxity. Patients often combine it with other work, and surgeons sometimes fold its principles into a deep plane facelift, which treats the midface and the jowl area at the same time.
Deep plane facelift
A deep plane facelift is Dr. Bellamy's specialty. It goes beneath the support layer, releases the ligaments that hold the cheek and jowl in a lowered position, and moves the deeper tissue and the skin together as one unit. Since the lift comes from the deep structures instead of from pulling the skin, the result often looks more natural, and many surgeons believe it holds longer.
It is generally recommended for more advanced aging: sagging cheeks, pronounced jowls, deep folds and an aging neck. It is also technically demanding, which is why surgeon experience matters. Dr. Bellamy performs deep plane facelifts awake under local anesthesia, and the operation itself typically takes about three to four hours. Patients who prefer to avoid general anesthesia often ask about the awake deep plane facelift, and the operation is described in more detail under deep plane facelift.
Thread lift
A thread lift uses absorbable sutures to hook the tissue and lift it slightly. There are no long incisions and no general anesthesia, and recovery is short. The effect is modest and temporary, and it often lasts about six to twelve months.
It suits younger patients with minimal laxity who want a small, quick refresh. It won't remove excess skin, and it isn't a substitute for a surgical lift when tissue has descended significantly. If a thread lift is offered as an alternative to a facelift for someone with moderate to advanced sagging, that is worth questioning.
Liquid facelift and other non-surgical options
The "liquid facelift" is a full-face filler treatment. It replaces lost volume, which is a real part of aging, and it can be an excellent temporary option in the early stages. It won't address excess skin, results typically last around six to twelve months, and overdoing filler in an attempt to imitate a facelift can leave the face looking overfilled.
Other non-surgical tools include radiofrequency microneedling such as Morpheus8, FaceTite, laser resurfacing and neck or jowl liposuction. They can tighten skin and improve texture, and they work well alongside surgery. Injectables such as dermal fillers and skin-quality treatments under non-surgical rejuvenation are worth considering if you are not ready for surgery.
How recovery compares
Recovery depends on the extent of the operation more than on its name, but the broad pattern holds. A thread lift or a set of injectables has little to no downtime. A mini facelift usually means one to two weeks before you feel presentable. A full traditional facelift often takes two to four weeks. Deep plane facelifts vary with how much is done, and the first few weeks are the period when swelling and tightness are most noticeable.
With Dr. Bellamy's facelift patients, the typical rhythm is a supportive head wrap for the first couple of days, followed by a lighter chin and neck support for about two weeks. Sutures come out within seven to ten days, and most bruising and swelling settle in ten to fourteen days. Many people return to a desk-type job within a few days once they no longer need prescription pain medicine, while cardio usually resumes around three weeks and weightlifting around four. Residual swelling can take months to clear completely, which is why the final look is best judged at around the six to twelve month mark.
Combining a facelift with other procedures
A facelift addresses the lower and middle face. It does not lift the brow or refresh the eyelids, so many patients pair it with a brow lift or eyelid surgery for a more even result. Facial fat grafting can restore volume in the temples and cheeks that lifting alone can't replace, and skin treatments such as laser resurfacing or Morpheus8 improve texture. Combining procedures means one anesthetic and one recovery, though it also makes the operation longer, so it is worth discussing what is sensible to combine in your case.
What about cost?
Fees differ from practice to practice and depend on the type of facelift, whether the neck or eyelids are included, and the facility and anesthesia involved. Your own quote comes after an examination, and it helps to ask exactly what it covers.
The neck: often part of the plan
Many facelift candidates also have a neck that has aged along with the face. A neck lift addresses banding, fat under the chin and loose skin, and it is frequently done in the same operation. If you notice more change in your neck than your cheeks, say so early, because it affects which operation makes sense.
How to choose
Three questions narrow things down quickly:
- Where is the aging concentrated? Jawline only, cheeks, or both plus the neck?
- How much sagging is there? Mild, moderate or advanced?
- What recovery can you plan for? A week, two weeks, a month?
Age is a weaker guide than most people expect. Patients undergo facelifts from their thirties to their eighties, and the average patient is in their fifties. The question of how old is too old for a facelift depends far more on health and skin quality than on the number.
Facelift consultations in Palm Beach Gardens
Dr. Bellamy will examine your face, talk through your goals and explain which type of facelift he recommends and why, including whether a smaller option would do the job. Facelift patients come to his Palm Beach Gardens office from West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton and beyond. To sit down with him, schedule a visit or call (561) 705-0044. Dr. Bellamy's facelift consultations cover preparation, recovery and expected results in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of facelift?
The main types are the traditional facelift, the mini facelift, the mid-facelift and the deep plane facelift. Thread lifts and liquid facelifts are non-surgical alternatives. They differ in how deep the surgeon works, how much of the face is treated and how long recovery takes.
Which type of facelift is best?
There is no single best type. The best one is the smallest operation that fully addresses your concerns. Mild jowling may respond to a mini lift, while advanced sagging in the cheeks, jowls and neck usually calls for a deep plane facelift.
What is the difference between a mini facelift and a full facelift?
A mini facelift uses shorter incisions and mainly treats the lower face and jawline, with a shorter recovery of about one to two weeks. A full facelift treats the cheeks, jawline and neck and takes longer to heal, but can address a greater degree of aging.
Can a facelift be done under local anesthesia?
Yes, in many cases. Dr. Bellamy performs facelifts, including deep plane facelifts, under local anesthesia while you are awake. Whether that is the right choice depends on your health, your comfort and the extent of your surgery.
How long does a deep plane facelift take?
A deep plane facelift with Dr. Bellamy typically takes about three to four hours under local anesthesia. Adding procedures such as eyelid surgery or laser resurfacing may add a little more time.
How long do thread lift results last?
Thread lifts typically last about six to twelve months, because the sutures are absorbable. The effect is modest and best suited to mild sagging in younger patients.
Is a liquid facelift a real alternative to surgery?
It can be a good temporary option for early aging because it restores lost volume. It does not remove excess skin or lift descended tissue, and results last around six to twelve months. For moderate to advanced sagging, surgery gives a more noticeable and longer-lasting change.
Should I have a neck lift with my facelift?
Many patients do, especially when the neck has loose skin, banding or fullness under the chin. A lifted face over an untreated neck can look unbalanced. Dr. Bellamy will assess your neck at your consultation.
What age is best for a facelift?
There is no ideal age. Patients have facelifts from their thirties to their eighties, and the average patient is in their fifties. Skin quality, the degree of sagging and general health matter more than the number.
How do I find a facelift surgeon near me in Palm Beach County?
Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive facelift experience and healed before and after photos of patients like you. Dr. Bellamy's Palm Beach Gardens office serves patients across Palm Beach County and beyond, and you can compare facelift and neck lift before and after photos to see what results look like for patients like you.
How much does a facelift cost?
It varies with the type of facelift, the extent of the surgery, the facility and anesthesia. Dr. Bellamy's team gives you a written estimate after your consultation.
