Fine lines, sagging skin, and a softer jawline are signs of aging. A facelift, or rhytidectomy, can restore definition and smooth wrinkles, often helping patients look close to 10 years younger. In Newark and New Castle County, DE, Mehdi Balakhani MD, offers surgical and non-surgical options to bring back natural facial balance without changing your unique features.
How a Facelift Works
Aging affects the face from the inside out. Over time, skin loses elasticity, fat shifts downward, and the supportive tissue layer beneath the skin, called the SMAS, starts to sag. These changes soften the jawline, deepen folds, and create loose skin that makes the face appear older.
A facelift addresses these issues by lifting and repositioning the deeper tissues of the face. The cheeks and jawline regain definition by restoring the SMAS to its more youthful position. This approach assures natural results and lasts longer than skin tightening alone.
Another key factor is how the skin is redraped. Rather than pulling it tight, experienced surgeons such as Dr. Balakhani carefully remove and adjust excess skin so that it settles smoothly. During recovery, the body produces new collagen, improving firmness and texture.
The combined effect, repositioning underlying structures, refining skin placement, and encouraging collagen renewal, creates a more youthful facial structure. That’s why patients often appear up to a decade younger. The procedure restores balance and proportion without altering your features.
Options for a Facial Lift
Not all facelifts are the same. Different techniques are available depending on your needs and the degree of aging you want to address. During your consultation at Dr. Balakhani’s plastic surgery clinic, he evaluates your facial structure, skin quality, and goals to recommend the most effective approach.
Full facelift
A full facelift surgery is ideal for patients with moderate to severe laxity in the midface, jawline, and neck. Lifting deeper tissues and removing excess skin restores youthful contours and provides results that can last for many years.
Mini facelift
Mini facelift surgery is a less invasive option for patients with early signs of aging, such as mild jowls or sagging along the jawline. This technique requires smaller incisions, has a shorter recovery time, and creates a more subtle but noticeable improvement.
Non-surgical facelift
Non-surgical facelift treatments involve techniques like Botox, injectable fillers, laser resurfacing, or chemical peels. These approaches don’t replace surgery but can refresh the skin, smooth fine lines, and restore lost volume for patients who prefer minimal downtime.
Each option is carefully personalized to your facial anatomy and goals, delivering results that enhance your features, whether you’re seeking subtle touch-ups or a more noticeable improvement.
What Is the Best Age for a Facelift?
There’s no “perfect” age for a facelift—it depends on the extent of aging and your personal goals. Most patients choose surgery in their 40s to 60s, when skin laxity, wrinkles, and deeper folds become more noticeable.
- In your 40s, a facelift can slow the progression of early jowls and sagging.
- In your 50s, surgery often addresses more visible changes like neck laxity and deeper folds.
- By the 60s, a facelift can restore more advanced aging patterns, refreshing the lower face and jawline.
Targeted procedures like brow lift or eyelid surgery may be more appropriate for younger patients. A consultation with Dr. Balakhani helps determine the right timing and approach to achieve your facial rejuvenation goals.
Facelift Recovery: What to Expect
The recovery process for a facelift surgery is straightforward, but patience is key. Recovery usually happens like this:
- Swelling and bruising are most visible during the first two weeks.
- Many patients return to daily routines after about three weeks.
- Final results are refined over several months as tissues settle.
Your facelift consultation with a trusted surgeon in Newark and New Castle County, such as Dr. Balakhani, ensures you know exactly what to expect before and after the procedure.
How Long Will You Look Younger?
Many patients report looking 7–10 years younger after a rhytidectomy. While the improvements are long-lasting, the aging process continues over time. Maintaining a consistent skin care routine and scheduling periodic treatments such as skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion, or Retin-A treatments can help extend the refreshed, youthful appearance achieved with surgery.
Treatments That Enhance Facelift Results
To further refine your look, Dr. Balakhani may suggest combining your rhytidectomy with:
- Chin surgery or facial implants for contour balance
- Lip enhancement for fuller lips
- Rhinoplasty to refine nasal shape
These procedures can be performed with a facelift to create results that look well-balanced across your features.
Why Choose Dr. Balakhani
With more than 30 years of experience, Mehdi Balakhani, DDS, MD, FACS, is dual board-certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery. This uncommon combination gives him a comprehensive understanding of form and function.
Dr. Balakhani has served in leadership roles at regional hospitals, including Chief of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, reflecting his expertise and trust within the medical community. Patients turn to Dr. Balakhani as their facelift surgeon for his expertise in facial anatomy, his focus on safety, and his ability to deliver refreshed yet natural results.
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation
Aging may be natural, but looking older than you feel doesn’t have to be. With facelift surgery from Mehdi Balakhani MD, patients across Newark and New Castle County in Delaware can achieve smoother contours, refreshed features, and results that can last for years. Start by booking your facelift consultation today.
