Top Facelift Services in Delaware

If you’re considering a facelift in Newark, DE, Mehdi Balakhani, MD, offers expert care to help you achieve a youthful, refreshed appearance.

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is designed to tighten sagging skin, reduce wrinkles, and enhance facial contours for long-lasting facial rejuvenation and improving signs of aging.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Facelift Procedure?
• Is It Right for Me?
• Procedural Steps
• Important Facts About the Safety and Risks of Facelift Surgery
• Recovery Process After Facelift Surgery
• The Results Will Be Long-Lasting
• The Benefits of Facelift Surgery
• How Much Will Facelift Surgery Cost?
• Arrange Your Consultation
• Words to Know
• FAQs About Facelift Surgery

What Is a Facelift Procedure?

A facelift procedure addresses common signs of aging by lifting and repositioning the skin and underlying tissues. It can smooth deep wrinkles, redefine the jawline, and restore a youthful look. Depending on your goals, you may choose a full facelift or mini facelift, which offers a less invasive approach with a shorter recovery time.

Is It Right for Me?

A facelift is a highly individualized procedure, and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or try to fit any ideal image.

Facelift surgery is a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy
• You don’t smoke
• You are typically in your 40s to 70s and experiencing noticeable facial sagging
• You have good skin elasticity, which helps achieve optimal results
• You do not have medical conditions that impair healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes or clotting disorders
• You maintain a stable weight and lead a healthy lifestyle
• You have a positive outlook and specific but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance

Look over the facelift before-and-after photos in our gallery to develop realistic expectations for the procedure’s results.

Procedural Steps

What happens during facelift surgery?

Step 1: Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Balakhani will recommend the best choice for you.

A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a facelift. They include:

• Facial implants
• Soft tissue augmentation to recontour the facial structure
• Resurfacing techniques to improve the tone and texture of facial skin
• Wrinkle reduction by injection

Step 2: The incision

Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, you can have a traditional facelift, a limited-incision facelift, or a neck lift.

Traditional Facelift

A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear, and ends in the lower scalp. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls, and neck, and underlying tissue is repositioned; commonly, the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are also lifted.

Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours, and excess skin is trimmed away. A second incision under the chin may be necessary to improve an aging neck further. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.

Limited Incision

An alternative to a traditional facelift uses shorter incisions at the temples, continuing around the ear and possibly within the lower eyelids or under the upper lip. It is ideal for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity and requires a shorter recovery time than a traditional facelift.

Sagging jowls, loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin may be corrected with a neck lift. The neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp.

Neck Lift

A neck lift may correct sagging jowls, loose neck skin, and fat accumulation under the chin. The incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear, ending in the lower scalp. This option focuses on tightening the neck area, making it an excellent choice for those with significant neck aging but less facial sagging.

Step 3: Closing the incisions

Once healed, the incision lines from a facelift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the face and ear.

Step 4: See the results

The visible improvements of a facelift appear as swelling and bruising subside. While a traditional facelift provides dramatic, long-lasting rejuvenation, a limited incision facelift offers more subtle changes with reduced downtime. A neck lift can be performed alone or alongside a facelift for a balanced, youthful result.

Your final result should restore a youthful and rested appearance, helping you feel more confident about yourself.

Important Facts About the Safety and Risks of Facelift Surgery

The decision to have a facelift is extremely personal. You’ll have to decide if the benefits will help you achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain the risks associated with surgery in detail. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks and potential complications.

Common risks

• Bruising and swelling – Peaks in the first week, then fades
• Temporary numbness – Usually resolves within months
• Mild to moderate pain – Managed with medication
• Fluid buildup (seroma) – May need drainage
• Scarring – Fades over time but varies by person

Less common risks

• Slow healing – More likely in smokers
• Hair loss at incisions – Usually temporary
• Facial asymmetry – Natural variation may persist

Rare but serious risks

• Hematoma – May require drainage
• Infection – Treated with antibiotics
• Skin loss – More common in smokers
• Nerve injury – Usually temporary
• Blood clots – Seek urgent care if suspected

Be sure to ask questions: It’s essential to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your facelift procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. Balakhani.

A special note about the use of fibrin sealants (tissue glue)

Fibrin sealants (made from heat-treated human blood components to inactivate virus transmission) hold tissue layers together during surgery and diminish post-operative bruising.

This product has been carefully produced from screened donor blood plasma for hepatitis, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It has been the preferred sealant for cardiovascular and general surgery. This product is thought to help diminish surgical bleeding by adhering layers of tissue together.

When you go home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. You may require hospitalization and additional treatment if any of these complications occur.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, achieving optimal results with a single surgical procedure may not be possible. Another surgery may be necessary.

Take Note of Instructions

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. The surgical incisions mustn’t be subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during healing. Avoid wearing any clothing that must go over your head. Dr. Balakhani will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

Recovery Process After Facelift Surgery

When your procedure is completed, a bandage could be gently placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin.

You will be given specific recovery instructions, including:

• Incision care – Gently clean with saline or mild soap and apply antibiotic ointment if prescribed.
• Facial exercises – Start light facial movements around 7-10 days post-surgery to reduce stiffness.
• Medications – Take all prescribed medications and avoid blood thinners unless approved.
• Warning signs – Watch for excessive swelling, redness, or unusual discharge and contact your surgeon if needed.
• Follow-ups – First visit at 3-5 days for drain removal, then 10-14 days for suture removal.
• Activity restrictions – Walk after 48 hours, but avoid strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks.
• Sleeping position – Keep your head elevated for two weeks to reduce swelling.
• Sun protection – Avoid direct sun for at least 4 weeks and wear SPF once approved.

Most patients resume light activities within 7-10 days and work in two weeks. Following these steps ensures smooth healing and optimal results. Mehdi Balakhani, DDS, MD, FACS, will provide personalized guidance based on your progress.

The Results Will Be Long-Lasting

It may take several months for swelling to fully dissipate and up to six months for incision lines to mature.

Your facelift results will improve gradually as swelling and bruising resolve. Here’s what you can expect:

• Week 1 – Swelling and bruising peak, then start to subside. Mild discomfort is manageable with medication.
• Week 2 – Bruising fades, swelling decreases, and many patients resume light activities
• Weeks 3-4 – Most swelling is gone, incision lines soften, and results become more defined
• Months 2-3 – Facial contours refine as residual swelling diminishes. Scars continue to fade
• Months 4-6 – Your final results appear natural and fully settled

Long-lasting sun protection will help to maintain your rejuvenated appearance by minimizing photo-aging or sun damage. In addition, a healthy lifestyle will also help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.

View Facelift Gallery

The Benefits of Facelift Surgery

Enhancing your appearance with a facelift

Facelifts improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:

• Sagging in the midface
• Deep creases below the lower eyelids
• Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
• Fat that has fallen or is displaced
• Loss of muscle tone in the lower face may create jowls
• Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin

Rejuvenation procedures typically performed with a facelift are brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes.

What it won’t do: As a restorative surgery, a facelift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process.

A facelift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time at which a facelift becomes appropriate and complement the surgery results.

How Much Will a Facelift Cost?

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for facelifts can vary widely.

Cost may include:

• Surgeon’s fee
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Anesthesia fees
• Prescriptions for medication
• Post-surgery garments, and
• Medical tests

Financing options

At Mehdi Balakhani MD, we understand that financing can be a concern. To assist our patients, we offer financing options through CareCredit, a healthcare credit card designed for medical expenses. You can learn more about it or apply by visiting our financing page. Be sure to ask about our payment plans during your consultation.

Your satisfaction involves more than a fee.

When choosing a plastic surgeon for a rhytidectomy, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery. You can get a feel of this during your consultation with Dr. Balakhani.

Most health insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery or its complications.

Why Trust Dr. Mehdi Balakhani for Your Facelift?

With over 40 years of experience, Mehdi Balakhani, DDS, MD, FACS, is a highly respected, double-board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in facelift procedures. He combines his skills with advanced surgical techniques to create natural-looking, rejuvenated results. His patient-centered approach ensures personalized care, safety, and long-term satisfaction, making him a top choice for facelift surgery in Delaware.

Arrange Your Consultation

Discover how a facelift at our Newark, DE, practice can help you achieve a more youthful look. Consult with experienced plastic surgeon Mehdi Balakhani, DDS, MD, FACS, in Delaware to learn more about the procedure if you’re in the Newark and New Castle County area. During your visit, Dr. Balakhani will assess your needs, discuss your goals, and recommend a personalized treatment plan. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Words to Know

• General anesthesia – Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness
• Hematoma – Blood pooling beneath the skin
• Intravenous sedation – Sedatives are administered by injection into a vein to help you relax
• Tear trough – Deep creases below the lower eyelids
• Nasolabial fold – Deep creases between the nose and cheek
• Jowls – A jaw line that sags into the neck, usually caused by loss of muscle tone in the lower face
• Local anesthesia – A drug injected directly into the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain
• Rhytidectomy – A surgical procedure, also known as a facelift, to reduce sagging of the mid-face, jowls, and neck

Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift Surgery