Facelift Surgery in Reno, NV | Hall & Wrye Plastic Surgeons

Facelift surgery, also called rhytidectomy, is a facial rejuvenation procedure designed to improve visible signs of aging in the lower face, jawline, cheeks, and, in many cases, the upper neck. At Hall & Wrye Plastic Surgeons in Reno, facelift planning is personalized around your anatomy, skin quality, facial structure, degree of laxity, and goals for a refreshed result that still looks like you. For the right candidate, a facelift may help improve sagging skin, jowls, deep facial folds, loss of definition along the jawline, and other aging changes that cannot be fully corrected with non-surgical treatments alone.

There are several other procedures that enhance the effects of a facelift. These procedures work together with the facelift to achieve favorable results to one’s overall look. These procedures are eyelid surgery, forehead lift, reshaping of the nose, Micro-needling, Radio Frequency Treatments, laser resurfacing, and chemical peel. Other patients also enlist in the other well-known procedures which include facial restructuring or re-contouring, facial implants, wrinkle injections, and resurfacing methods for toning and smoothing one’s facial skin.

In examining a patient for a face lift, Dr. Hall and Dr. Wrye will first start with the elasticity, texture, and thickness of the patient’s facial skin. They will also evaluate the severity of the folds and wrinkles, and the hairline for the strategic placing of incisions. Other factors such as underlying tissues and bone structure are also salient areas to consider in the development of a personalized plan for surgery.

Dr. Hall and Dr. Wrye may offer a lower facelift, mid facelift, a traditional facelift or a neck lift – based on the patient’s preferences in the amount of changes needed to be done and the doctors’ professional assessment on the patient’s condition.

What Is Facelift Surgery?

A facelift is a surgical procedure that repositions and supports facial tissues to create a smoother, more defined, and naturally refreshed appearance. While patients often describe the procedure as “tightening the skin,” modern facelift planning should focus on more than skin alone. A well-planned facelift evaluates the deeper facial tissues, skin elasticity, facial volume, jawline definition, neck involvement, incision placement, and how the face will continue to age over time. The goal is not to change your identity. The goal is to reduce visible laxity and restore a more rested, balanced facial appearance.

What Concerns Can a Facelift Address?

Facelift surgery may be considered when facial aging has created visible looseness, folds, or loss of definition that no longer responds well to skincare, injectables, or energy-based treatments. The exact improvements depend on anatomy, skin quality, surgical plan, and healing.

Sagging skin in the lower face
Jowls along the jawline
Loss of facial definition
Deep folds around the nose and mouth
Loose skin near the lower face and upper neck
A tired or aged appearance that does not match how the patient feels
Facial laxity after weight change or natural aging

What a Facelift Does Not Correct

A facelift is powerful, but it is not the right solution for every facial concern. This distinction matters because many people researching facelift surgery are also comparing eyelid surgery, brow lift, fillers, laser resurfacing, and skin tightening treatments. A facelift generally does not correct heavy upper eyelids, significant under-eye bags, brow descent, fine surface wrinkles, skin texture, pigmentation, or volume loss by itself. These concerns may require a different procedure or a combined plan.

Heavy upper eyelids may be better addressed with eyelid surgery.
A low or heavy brow may require brow or forehead lift
Fine lines, texture, sun damage, and pigmentation may need laser resurfacing, chemical peels, microneedling, RF, or skincare.
Volume loss may require fat grafting or fillers depending on the patient.
Significant neck laxity may require a neck lift or combined plan.

HOW IS A FACELIFT DONE?

The incisions of a face lift are well-concealed, as they are done to camouflage the natural contours of the temple, hairline, and the natural beard lines (for men). First, the incision is made along the temple hair, on the area above the ear, continued following the lobe, and circles the ear until the incision returns to the point of origin found in the scalp. The patient’s skin is raised and pulled outward, and Drs. Hall and Wrye will then do the repositioning and tightening of the underlying muscle and the connective tissue. Excess fat may be redistributed to other parts of the face or sculpted. Excess skin is also removed in a face lift.

Drs. Hall and Wrye will then use fine sutures to close the incisions, enabling a surgery to proceed even without shaving the areas included in the surgery. These incision lines are well-concealed within one’s natural contours of the hairline, face, and ear.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Hall & Wrye Plastic Surgeons provides personalized facelift surgery consultations in Reno, Nevada for patients who want to better understand their facial rejuvenation options. During your consultation, your surgeon can evaluate your facial anatomy, review your goals, explain whether facelift surgery is appropriate, and discuss whether a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, laser treatment, or another option should be considered as part of your plan. When you are ready, schedule a consultation to discuss the best approach for your face, goals, and long-term confidence.

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WHO QUALIFIES FOR A FULL FACELIFT?

Should one plan to undergo a facelift, he/she should be physically fit and in good health condition, a non-smoker, and one who has achievable goals regarding the desired effect. The following conditions indicate that you qualify as a candidate:

Deep lines and folds
Loss of a well-defined jawline (jowls)
Deep wrinkles
Sagging in any area of the face
Loose skin
Excess fat

Types of Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery is not one-size-fits-all. The right approach depends on where aging changes are most visible, how much skin and tissue laxity is present, whether the neck is involved, and what level of correction is appropriate. During consultation, your surgeon may discuss a focused lower facelift, midface support, a more traditional facelift, a neck lift, or a combined approach.

Lower facelift – often focuses on jowls, jawline definition, and lower facial laxity.
Mid facelift – may be considered when cheek position and midface descent are part of the concern.
Traditional facelift – may address more advanced lower face and jawline aging in a broader plan.
Facelift with neck lift – may be recommended when neck laxity, banding, or fullness under the chin contributes to the overall aging pattern.

Facelift vs. Neck Lift

Facelift and neck lift surgery are closely related, but they are not identical. A facelift primarily addresses laxity and tissue descent in the lower face, cheeks, and jawline. A neck lift focuses more specifically on loose neck skin, muscle banding, fullness under the chin, and neck contour. Many patients have concerns in both areas, which is why facelift and neck lift planning are often discussed together. A consultation helps determine whether your concerns are mostly facial, mostly neck-related, or best treated with a combined surgical plan.

Who Is a Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Good candidates for facelift surgery are typically bothered by sagging skin, jowls, facial folds, jawline changes, or lower facial laxity and want a surgical option for more meaningful improvement. Candidates should be in good overall health, have realistic expectations, and understand that facelift surgery improves visible aging but does not stop the natural aging process. The best candidates are seeking a refreshed, natural-looking result rather than an exaggerated or pulled appearance.

Visible lower face or jawline laxity
Jowls or loss of definition along the jawline
Loose facial skin that does not respond well to non-surgical treatments
Good overall health for elective surgery
Realistic expectations about recovery, scars, and results
Willingness to follow pre-operative and post-operative instructions

Consultation and Surgical Planning

A facelift consultation should include a careful review of facial anatomy, skin quality, tissue laxity, jawline definition, neck involvement, prior treatments, medical history, medications, smoking status, healing factors, scar considerations, and overall goals. At Hall & Wrye Plastic Surgeons, the planning process should help determine whether facelift surgery is appropriate, whether a neck lift or another facial procedure should be considered, and how to create a result that looks balanced with the patient’s natural facial structure.

How Facelift Surgery Is Performed

Facelift surgery is performed using incisions placed in areas designed to be as discreet as possible, often around the hairline, temples, ears, and natural facial contours depending on the surgical plan. Through these incisions, the surgeon can reposition deeper facial tissues, remove or redrape excess skin, and improve contour along the lower face and jawline. When the neck is part of the plan, additional techniques may be used to address neck laxity, banding, or fullness. The exact technique varies by patient and should be determined during consultation.

Recovery After Facelift Surgery

Recovery after facelift surgery varies based on the extent of the procedure, whether the neck is treated, individual healing, and the specific surgical plan. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, tightness, temporary numbness, and activity restrictions during the early healing period. Most patients need time away from work, social events, strenuous activity, and exercise while initial swelling and bruising improve. Final refinement takes longer as tissues settle and incision lines mature. Patients receive individualized instructions for incision care, activity, follow-up visits, and when it is appropriate to return to normal routines.

Facelift Scars and Incision Placement

Facelift incisions are planned carefully so they can often be hidden around the hairline, ears, and natural facial contours. Scar visibility depends on incision placement, skin quality, genetics, healing, sun exposure, smoking status, and how well post-operative instructions are followed. A facelift should not rely on skin pulling alone. Thoughtful tissue support and incision planning help create a more natural-looking result while minimizing visible signs of surgery.

Risks and Important Considerations

Facelift surgery is real surgery and should be discussed with appropriate seriousness. Risks vary by patient and procedure plan, and may include bleeding, infection, fluid collection, delayed healing, visible scarring, asymmetry, temporary or persistent changes in sensation, hairline or skin changes near incision sites, facial nerve injury, anesthesia-related risks, blood clots, and the possibility of revision surgery. A credible facelift page should not imply that results are guaranteed or that surgery is risk-free. Proper candidacy, surgical planning, accredited facilities, and careful follow-up care all matter.

Facelift Results

Facelift results are intended to create a more refreshed, rested, and defined appearance by improving sagging skin, jowls, facial folds, and lower facial laxity. Results vary based on anatomy, skin quality, surgical technique, healing, lifestyle, and the natural aging process. A strong facelift result should look balanced with the patient’s face rather than tight, pulled, or overdone. While many patients enjoy long-lasting improvement, the face will continue to age naturally over time.

Facelift Before and After Gallery

View facelift before and after results to see how personalized facial rejuvenation plans may address different patient concerns such as jowls, lower facial laxity, jawline definition, and neck involvement. Results vary by anatomy, procedure selection, healing, and surgical plan. For broader examples of facial procedure outcomes, visit the Facial Procedures Gallery.

View Facelift Gallery

Facelift Surgery FAQ

What is facelift surgery?

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to improve visible signs of aging in the lower face, jawline, cheeks, and sometimes the upper neck. The plan is customized based on anatomy, skin quality, facial laxity, and patient goals.

What is the best age for a facelift?

There is no single best age for facelift surgery. Timing depends on anatomy, skin laxity, facial aging, health, and goals. Some patients consider surgery earlier for moderate laxity, while others wait until changes are more advanced.

Does a facelift include the neck?

A facelift may improve areas near the jawline and upper neck, but a neck lift may be needed when neck laxity, banding, or fullness under the chin is a major concern. Many patients discuss both options during consultation.

What is the difference between a facelift and fillers?

Fillers can restore volume in selected areas, while facelift surgery repositions and supports sagging tissues. Patients with significant laxity, jowls, or jawline changes may need a surgical evaluation rather than filler alone.

How long does facelift recovery take?

Recovery varies based on the extent of surgery and individual healing. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, tightness, temporary numbness, and activity restrictions during early healing. Your surgical team will provide instructions specific to your plan.

Will facelift scars be visible?

Facelift incisions are planned around the hairline, ears, and natural facial contours when possible. Scar visibility depends on incision placement, healing, genetics, sun exposure, and post-operative care.

How long do facelift results last?

Facelift results can be long-lasting, but the face continues to age naturally. Results depend on anatomy, skin quality, surgical plan, healing, lifestyle, and weight stability.

How much does facelift surgery cost in Reno?

Facelift cost depends on the surgical plan, complexity, whether the neck is treated, anesthesia, facility needs, and whether other procedures are combined. A consultation is needed for a personalized estimate.

Can facelift surgery be combined with eyelid surgery or laser resurfacing?

In some cases, facelift surgery may be combined with eyelid surgery, brow lift, neck lift, laser resurfacing, or other treatments. Whether procedures should be combined depends on health, anatomy, goals, safety, and recovery planning.