As we age, loose skin, deeper lines, and changes in facial volume can make us feel older than we actually are. At Aesthetix Plastic Surgery in Huntington Beach, Dr. Steve Vu offers facelift surgery to lift sagging tissues, smooth creases, and restore youthful facial contours. With more than 25 years of board-certified experience, he tailors each procedure to achieve natural, balanced improvement.
A facelift will not change who you are. It simply helps your outward appearance reflect the energy and confidence you feel inside.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens the lower face and neck. It addresses signs of aging that topical products, injectables, or non-surgical treatments cannot correct. A facelift can improve:
- Sagging skin along the cheeks and jawline
- Deep folds around the mouth and nose
- Jowls caused by skin laxity
- Fullness under the chin
- Hollow or deflated areas caused by volume loss
A facelift can also be combined with complementary procedures like eyelid surgery, brow lift, fat grafting, or neck lift for more complete facial rejuvenation.
Why Choose Dr. Vu for Your Facelift?
Facial surgery requires precision, artistry, and a deep understanding of facial anatomy. Patients choose Dr. Vu because they want results that are natural, elegant, and never artificial.
What Makes Dr. Vu Different
- More than 25 years of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon
- AAAASF-accredited private surgery center for safety and comfort
- Specialized training in advanced facelift techniques
- A natural approach that preserves your expressions
- Personalized planning based on your bone structure and goals
- Options for non-opioid pain relief, including Exparelยฎ
With Dr. Vu, you can expect refreshed, refined results that help you look like your best self.
Facelift Benefits
Many patients are surprised by how significantly a facelift can rejuvenate their appearance while still looking natural and relaxed.
Physical Benefits
- Smoother, tighter facial skin
- More defined jawline
- Lifted cheeks
- Improved neck contour
- Reduction of jowls
Emotional Benefits
- Increased confidence
- Feeling more aligned with your youthful energy
- Greater satisfaction with how you look in photos and real life
- Renewed comfort in social and professional settings
Facelift Before & After Photos
Best Facelift Candidates
You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you:
- Are bothered by sagging facial skin or laxity in the neck
- Want longer-lasting results than injectables or skin treatments can provide
- Are in good overall health
- Have realistic expectations
- Are seeking natural improvement without an overdone look
Dr. Vu evaluates each patient individually, paying special attention to bone structure, skin elasticity, and overall health to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan.
Types of Facelift Procedures
A facelift is not one procedure but a customized approach based on your anatomy and goals.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a less invasive option for patients with early signs of aging in the lower face. It focuses on mild jowling and loose skin along the jawline and is designed to provide noticeable lift with a shorter recovery period.
During the procedure, Dr. Vu makes a small S-shaped incision around the natural ear crease and into the hairline. He tightens the underlying tissues and removes excess skin to refine the jawline and lower face. The surgery usually takes about two hours and can be performed with local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia.
A mini facelift works best if you want subtle but meaningful improvement without the downtime of a full facelift.
Mid-Facelift
A mid-facelift focuses on lifting the cheeks and the central portion of the face. It is ideal for patients who notice flattening in the cheek area, deeper lines around the nose, or sagging beneath the eyes but do not yet need a full facelift.
During the procedure, Dr. Vu makes small incisions placed discreetly along the hairline or inside the mouth. He then lifts and repositions the cheek fat pads to restore natural contour and youthful volume. This technique improves the lower eyelid area and enhances midface definition without addressing the neck.
A mid-facelift offers a noticeable but natural-looking lift for patients experiencing early to moderate midface aging.
S-Lift
An S-Lift is designed to tighten the lower face and improve early jowling with a shorter incision and faster recovery. It targets sagging along the jawline and mild neck laxity, making it a good option for patients who want a more defined lower face without a full facelift.
During the procedure, Dr. Vu makes a small S-shaped incision near the ear. He lifts the skin, tightens the underlying tissue, and removes any excess skin before closing the incision. Because the approach is limited and less invasive, patients often enjoy a quicker healing period.
An S-Lift provides subtle yet effective rejuvenation for the lower face and is best suited for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity.
Full Facelift
A full facelift provides the most comprehensive improvement for patients with moderate to advanced signs of facial aging. It addresses the lower face, jawline, and neck by lifting deeper tissues, tightening supportive structures, and removing excess skin. The goal is a smoother, more refined contour that still looks natural and true to your features.
During the procedure, Dr. Vu places incisions along the hairline and around the ear where they blend with natural creases. He elevates and tightens the underlying SMAS layer, repositions facial tissues, and refines the neck and jawline before closing the incisions. This technique creates long-lasting results that cannot be achieved through non-surgical treatments.
A full facelift is ideal for patients who want the most significant rejuvenation and are seeking correction of deeper wrinkles, pronounced jowls, and noticeable neck laxity.
Several factors affect the cost of a facelift, including the complexity of the procedure and any additional treatments.
Your Facelift Experience
Dr. Vuโs goal is to make your facelift experience clear, comfortable, and fully supported. Here is what you can expect.
Step 1: Your Consultation
Your journey begins with a thorough evaluation with Dr. Vu. He reviews your goals, studies your bone structure and skin quality, and explains which facelift approach suits your needs. This visit helps you understand your options and feel confident in your plan.
Step 2: Your Surgery Day
Your procedure is performed at Mosaic Surgery Center, Dr. Vuโs accredited private operating facility. You will receive anesthesia and be monitored by an experienced medical team. Most facelifts take two to four hours. During surgery, Dr. Vu tightens the deeper SMAS layer, repositions facial tissue, and removes excess skin to restore a natural, refreshed appearance.
Step 3: Pain Management and Early Recovery
For patients who want to limit opioid use, Dr. Vu offers Exparel, a long-acting, non-opioid anesthetic that provides targeted pain control for the first few days. This helps make early recovery smoother and more comfortable. You will also go home with detailed instructions and follow-up appointments for continued support.
Facelift Cost in Huntington Beach
- Type of Facelift โ A full facelift, which addresses the lower face, jawline, and neck, differs in pricing from a mini facelift, which focuses on smaller areas.
- Surgeonโs Experience โ A board-certified plastic surgeon with specialized training and years of experience may have higher fees.
- Anesthesia Costs โ The type of anesthesia and surgery length factor into overall pricing.
- Additional Procedures โ Combining a facelift with eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or fat grafting may impact cost.
- Location โ Pricing in Huntington Beach and Orange County reflects local medical costs.
Dr. Vu, a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience, provides transparent pricing with no hidden costs. During your consultation, Dr. Vu will take the time to understand your goals, assess your facial structure, and provide a personalized cost estimate tailored to your needs.
Facelift Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from a facelift is a gradual process, but most patients find it very manageable with the right guidance. Dr. Vu will provide detailed instructions and follow-up care to help you feel supported every step of the way. Here is a general timeline of what to expect.
Day 1 to Day 3: Early Recovery
- Mild tightness, swelling, and bruising are normal.
- Bandages are applied immediately after surgery to support healing.
- Keep your head elevated and rest as much as possible.
- Short walks around the house help with circulation.
Day 4 to Day 7: Improving Comfort
- Swelling begins to decrease.
- Any tightness or pressure usually becomes more comfortable.
- Many patients feel ready for light daily activities.
- Bruising gradually fades.
Week 1 to Week 2: Early Healing
- Stitches are typically removed within seven to ten days.
- You can resume light work or non-strenuous routines once cleared.
- Makeup can often be applied to cover mild bruising.
- Most patients feel socially comfortable by the end of week two.
Week 3 to Week 4: Returning to Normal
- Swelling continues to improve.
- Jawline and cheek contours become more defined.
- Light exercise may resume once Dr. Vu approves.
- Most patients feel confident returning to social events around week three.
Month 2 and Beyond: Final Refinement
- Remaining swelling resolves gradually.
- Incisions continue to fade.
- Your results settle into a natural, refreshed appearance.
- Many patients notice continued improvement for several months.
Facelift FAQs
Every patient has different goals, questions, and concerns, which is why your consultation with Dr. Vu is so important. Here are some of the questions that come up most often and the kind of honest, thoughtful guidance patients appreciate from him.
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Will My Facelift Look Natural?
Yes. A natural result is always the priority. The goal is not to change the way you look, but to help your features appear rested and refreshed. You will still look like yourself, just with smoother contours and more lift where aging has taken a toll. Most patients tell me friends comment on how healthy they look without realizing they had anything done.
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How Long Will My Results Last?
Facelift results are long-lasting. Everyone continues to age, but you will continue to look younger than if you had never had the procedure. Most patients enjoy their results for many years. Good skincare, sun protection, and healthy habits help maintain your outcome too.
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When Can I Go Back To Work Or Social Activities?
Most patients feel comfortable returning to work or light activities in one to two weeks. Your swelling will improve each day, and I will guide you on when to resume exercise or more active routines. Many patients choose to schedule their surgery before a long weekend or quieter time in their schedule.
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Can A Facelift Help The Eye Area Too?
A traditional facelift focuses on the lower face and neck. If you also want to brighten the eyes or lift the brow, we can discuss eyelid surgery or brow lift during your consultation. Many patients combine procedures so their entire face looks refreshed in a balanced way.
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Will A Facelift Get Rid Of All My Wrinkles?
A facelift tightens deeper tissues and removes excess skin, which significantly reduces folds and sagging. Fine surface wrinkles may still be present. Treatments like laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or injectables can further smooth the skin if you want a more comprehensive approach.
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Is A Facelift Painful?
Most patients describe the recovery as tightness or pressure rather than sharp pain. You will receive detailed comfort instructions, and we offer Exparel, a long-lasting non-opioid pain relief option. This helps control discomfort during the first few days, which makes recovery easier.
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Will People Be Able To Tell I Had Surgery?
The goal is for your results to look refreshed, never pulled or โdone.โ My technique focuses on restoring natural contours rather than tightening the skin alone. Most patients find that people notice they look well-rested, but cannot pinpoint what changed.
Still have questions?
You deserve to feel fully informed and confident before moving forward. During your consultation, we can talk through every detail of your goals and concerns so you feel comfortable with your decision and excited for your results.
Begin Your Facelift Journey With Dr. Vu in Huntington Beach
If you are ready to explore how a facelift can restore smoother contours and a refreshed appearance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Steve Vu. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, review potential results, and create a personalized plan designed around your needs.
Request a consultation online to begin your journey toward a naturally rejuvenated look.
