Which Is Best for You: Neck Lift vs. Facelift vs. Mini Facelift?
Facial rejuvenation is one of the most sought-after areas of cosmetic surgery, and procedures such as…Read On
TLKM Plastic Surgery
737 North Michigan Avenue #1500
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 788-2560
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
A facelift is an excellent solution for women and men with drooping cheeks, sagging jowls, and lines and folds on the lower half of the face and neck. Our board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in using advanced techniques to lift and tighten the skin, smooth wrinkles, and refine the neck and jawline for long-lasting rejuvenation.
Before & After
Case: 1 of 16
Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
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Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
8 months post-op
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Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep plane Facelift, upper blepharoplasty, temporal brow lift.
Procedure Time: 3.5 hours
Anesthesia: IV Sedation and local anesthesia
Recovery: 7-10 days
Back to Work: 1-2 weeks
Exercise: Avoid strenuous activity for 1 week
Provider: Dr.... Read More
Procedure Type: Deep plane Facelift, upper blepharoplasty, temporal brow lift.
Procedure Time: 3.5 hours
Anesthesia: IV Sedation and local anesthesia
Recovery: 7-10 days
Back to Work: 1-2 weeks
Exercise: Avoid strenuous activity for 1 week
Provider: Dr.... Read More
Before & After
Case: 4 of 16
Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
✨ Refreshed & Rejuvenated ✨
Deep plane facelift with perioral fat grafting, upper blepharoplasty, and lower eyelid fat grafting for a natural, youthful transformation. Subtle enhancements, powerful results. 💫👁️💉
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep Plane Facelift, Upper Blepharoplasty, Perioral & Lower Eyelid Fa... Read More
Deep plane facelift with perioral fat grafting, upper blepharoplasty, and lower eyelid fat grafting for a natural, youthful transformation. Subtle enhancements, powerful results. 💫👁️💉
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep Plane Facelift, Upper Blepharoplasty, Perioral & Lower Eyelid Fa... Read More
Before & After
Case: 5 of 16
Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
At the vibrant age of 71, this patient elected to undergo several procedures with Dr. Thomas Mustoe to preserve her natural beauty and active lifestyle, without an overly tight or pulled appearance. Her personalized facial rejuvenation included a deep plane facelift/minilift, neck lift, upper blepharoplasty, brow lift, and fat grafting around... Read More
Before & After
Case: 6 of 16
Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
The 55-year-old female patient pictured above was driven by considerable changes of aging, particularly evident in the areas around the jowls and cheeks, thin lips, the early appearance of vertical lines around the mouth, and changes in her neck. This active runner and yoga enthusiast sought out the exceptional Facelift/Minilift by Dr. Mustoe... Read More
Before & After
Case: 7 of 16
Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
At age 62, this patient sought to make her outward appearance better reflect her active and vibrant lifestyle. After having her primary facelift over a decade ago, she decided to pursue another procedure, opting for a secondary deep plane facelift, along with perioral fat grafting and ablative laser with spot dermabrasion around her mouth. Sh... Read More
Before & After
Case: 8 of 16
Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
Meeting the subtle changes of aging with courage and resolve, this 43-year-old professional woman decided to opt for a deep plane Facelift/Minilift by Dr. Mustoe in Chicago. Her primary motivation was not to alter her appearance drastically but to look fresher and effortlessly turn back time by ten years, all while keeping any evidence of hav... Read More
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Case: 9 of 16
Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
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Facelift/Minilift Before and After Photos
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery designed to lift and tighten sagging facial tissues, creating a more youthful and refreshed appearance. The procedure addresses loose skin, deep wrinkles, jowls, and neck sagging by repositioning underlying muscles and removing excess skin. A facelift is widely considered the gold standard in facial rejuvenation treatments.
The Benefits of Modern Facelift Surgery
Today’s modern facelift techniques prioritize natural-looking results by restoring facial contours without pulling on the skin. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno’s refined techniques restore the underlying muscles and tissues while preventing you from looking “worked on” or “windblown.”
The modern facelift can:
- Redefine the jawline
- Restore youthful cheek contours
- Smooth, firm, and lift skin in the lower face and neck
- Help you look as young and vibrant as you feel
- Enhance your self-confidence in professional and social settings
A facelift is performed alone or combined with procedures such as a neck lift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), or brow lift for comprehensive rejuvenation. Dr. Mustoe often enhances facelift results with lip line rejuvenation, to restore volume and smooths fine vertical lines around the lips. This complementary approach refines perioral aging with minimal downtime.
Types of Facelifts
Having performed thousands of facelifts, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno are experts in tailoring surgery to the patient’s unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. In addition to performing traditional facelift, their customized facelift expertise includes:
Mini Facelift
We offer the popular mini facelift for patients who wish to address mild to moderate aging symptoms and prefer minimal downtime. Commonly referred to as a short scar facelift, the mini facelift approach uses smaller incisions and is typically best for younger patients seeking subtle rejuvenation.
Mid Facelift
A mid facelift, often referred to as a cheek lift, restores youthful fullness to the midface by specifically targeting and rejuvenating the cheek area versus the lower face and neck. It addresses concerns such as flat, sagging cheeks and laxity around the mouth that make you appear older than you feel.
Deep Plane Facelift
Chicago patients who want the gold standard in facial rejuvenation often choose a deep plane facelift. As the name implies, this advanced surgical approach involves lifting and repositioning the deeper layers of facial tissue and ligaments. By releasing and repositioning the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) and skin as one unit, a deep plane facelift delivers comprehensive yet natural, long-lasting results.
Dual Plane Facelift
Our signature dual plane, deep plane facelift technique elevates both the skin and deeper facial structures for powerful yet natural-looking results. This approach restores youthful contours while preserving facial harmony and movement by releasing and lifting tissues in both the subcutaneous and deeper planes. It often includes fat grafting to replenish volume in key areas. The result is refined, long-lasting facial rejuvenation with minimal tension on the skin and discreet, well-healed incisions.
Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno’s mastery of facelifts extends to male facial plastic surgery. They are known for delivering results that help men look younger while retaining and enhancing their natural masculine facial features.
Full and Deep Plane Facelift: Incisions begin in the hairline at the temple and end behind the ear.
Mid Facelift: Small incisions are placed near the hairline and around the ear
Mini Facelift: Incisions trace the lower part of the front of the ear and end in an inconspicuous area behind the ear called the sulcus
Mini Facelift vs Full Facelift: Which Should You Choose?
| Facelift Type | Traditional Facelift | Mini Facelift | Mid Facelift | Deep Plane Facelift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Moderate to advanced facial sagging | Mild to Moderate skin laxity | Volume loss and sagging in the midface | Significant facial sagging and volume loss |
| Target Areas | Lower face, jawline, and neck | Limited to the lower face and neck | Cheeks and under eye area | Midface, jawline, and neck |
| Technique | Lifts and tightens skin and SMAS layer separately | Smaller incisions; minimally invasive lift | Lifts cheeks and fat pads | Lifts deeper structures (SMAS) and skin as one unit |
| Downtime | Up to 2 weeks | 1 Week | 1 to 2 Weeks | 2 Weeks |
During your personalized consultation, Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno will help you choose the technique that best serves your needs and aesthetic goals.
How Is a Facelift Performed?
Our surgeons use superior techniques to address facial aging comprehensively. Learn more about Dr. Mustoe’s approach to the aging face and Dr. Sinno’s facelift surgery techniques.
Your Facelift Recovery
Our surgeons understand that your recovery is a key consideration when planning for a facelift. They use a refined approach that minimizes downtime and helps you return to your daily routine quickly and safely.
While every patient varies, most facelift patients experience these recovery milestones:
First few days
- Rest with your head elevated to minimize swelling
- Mild swelling and bruising are expected
- Take pain medications as directed by your surgeon
1 week post-op
- Most patients feel comfortable returning to light activities
- Swelling and bruising begin to subside
2 weeks post-op
- Most patients return to work and social activities
- Residual swelling and bruising are largely resolved but continue to diminish
- Possible numbness in the cheek area (near the ears) may occur but gradually fades over several months
3 to 6 months post-op
- Final results emerge as swelling fully subsides
- Incisions continue to fade and become virtually undetectable
Because mini facelifts and mid-facelifts use a less invasive approach, recovery from these procedures is typically shorter compared to deep plane facelift recovery. For patients with concerns over bruising, we offer a state-of-the-art laser treatment that dramatically improves bruising in a single treatment performed during a postoperative visit.
Dr. Mustoe’s “Quick Recovery” Approach
Unlike many of his plastic surgery peers, Dr. Mustoe favors using local anesthesia with sedation vs. general anesthesia. This innovative approach reduces the risk of blood clots, avoids postoperative “brain fog,” and leads to a faster, more comfortable recovery. Dr. Mustoe has lectured internationally about his groundbreaking use of sedation during plastic surgery, and he has published extensive research on this approach in leading medical journals.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Chicago, IL?
The cost of a facelift varies based on the surgeon’s expertise, the complexity of the procedure, and whether additional treatments, such as a neck lift or blepharoplasty, are included. The best way to receive a detailed price quote is to have a personalized consultation with Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno. Many patients take advantage of our convenient financing options.
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Facelift FAQ
Are there nonsurgical facelift alternatives?
Yes, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno typically recommend treating early signs of aging with nonsurgical facelift alternatives. These include dermal fillers to replace lost volume and stimulate your body’s natural collagen production. Combining dermal fillers with BOTOX® Cosmetic is another popular approach referred to as a “liquid facelift.” Your nonsurgical options also include laser treatments and skin treatments such as RF microneedling.
While these less invasive alternatives suit patients with mild facial aging, patients seeking comprehensive rejuvenation and long-lasting results are better candidates for surgical facelifts.
What’s the best age for a facelift?
There’s no “best” age for a facelift; your aging symptoms are more of a determining factor than age. While most people begin to consider facelift surgery in their 40s or 50s, our surgeons also perform the procedure on younger patients with significant weight loss, 80+-year-old patients, and all ages in between. Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno believe you deserve to look and feel your best at every age, and their customized facelift approach delivers on this philosophy.
What are the risks of facelift surgery?
While every surgery carries risks, facelift surgery is a safe cosmetic procedure when performed by our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons. While rare, potential facelift surgery risks or complications include hematoma (blood collection under the skin), infection, facial paralysis, or excessive bruising or scarring. Our surgeons minimize these risks with their superior surgical and post-operative protocols.
How long do the results of a facelift last?
With Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno performing your facelift, you can expect your results to last 10 to 15 years or longer. Practicing a good skin care regimen and avoiding sun exposure help preserve your youthful look.
Does a facelift leave visible scars?
Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno meticulously place your incisions so they are well concealed in the hairline and natural creases of the face. Scars flatten and fade over time until they are virtually undetectable.
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation
If you would like to explore your facelift surgery options with our board-certified plastic surgeons, please request a consultation with Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno online or call us at (312) 788-2560 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.
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