A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that involves lifting and tightening the skin and underlying tissues of the face and neck. It addresses common signs of aging, such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and loss of facial volume. While the cost of a facelift can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the surgeon's expertise, geographic location, and extent of the procedure, it is generally considered a significant investment. The price range for a facelift can typically start from several thousand dollars and can go up considerably depending on the complexity and additional procedures involved. It is essential to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine the specific cost and discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with a facelift tailored to your individual needs and goals.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift is a procedure that involves removing excess skin, smoothing out wrinkles, and overall tightening the skin and tissue of your face to help give you a more youthful appearance. Facelifts generally refer to the lower portion of your face, including your neck and chin area, which are particularly prone to sagging and crepey skin as you age.
Brow or eye lifts are generally separate — although they may be carried out in addition to a facelift — which is essential to clarify with your plastic surgeon if your priority is smoothing out the skin on the upper half of your face.
What Is the Process Like?
After what will likely be multiple consults with a trusted surgeon, you’ll be ready for your facelift surgery. Facelifts are done with anesthesia to help keep you comfortable during the procedure.
Once you’re sedated, your surgeon will make small incisions where you’ve discussed and remove excess skin before redistributing the skin across your face so that it’s smoother and tighter, delivering a more youthful appearance.
You may have stitches or sutures that will either dissolve or need removal after a few days. After your incisions have healed, any potential scarring from your facelift should be expertly hidden beneath your hairline or the contours of your face, so they shouldn’t be visible.
You’ll likely be bruised and swollen after surgery, but once your incisions heal and the inflammation subsides, you’ll see the results of your facelift — a firmer, smoother, more youthful you!
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
Unfortunately, while facelifts may be highly effective at combating visible signs of aging, especially sagging skin, they’re not a budget-friendly option. According to recent statistics, the average facelift cost in the United States is around $8,005.
Even more bracing — that number isn’t your complete total. That just covers the actual facelift — and as we mentioned above, that usually only refers to the lower half of your face, so if you want to have an eye lift or any other nipping and tucking are done on other areas of your face, you’re looking at a higher price tag. There will be additional fees for anesthesia, facility usage, and other incidental expenses.
Because facelifts are cosmetic, it’s unlikely that your insurance plan will cover them. That said, most surgeons will have payment plans available, so if the total cost is something you’d feel comfortable with when spread across months of payments, that option is worth discussing.
It’s important not to cut corners when it comes to plastic surgery, especially in an area as front-and-center as your face. If you’re feeling like a facelift is the only thing that will restore your confidence, be careful not to convince yourself a less-reputable plastic surgeon who offers a surprisingly low rate is your best bet.
If a facelift is out of your budget, take a deep breath before looking for risky alternatives and instead consider utilizing clinically proven at-home care to treat problem areas.
What Are Some Alternatives to a Facelift?
Not only can facelifts be prohibitively expensive, but the idea of surgery can be daunting. If you’re not sure a facelift is for you, but you’re hoping to contour and tone the skin on your face, consider these less-invasive treatments to help address your concerns.
Microcurrent Therapy
Microcurrent therapy is an excellent option because it offers clinically proven instant and cumulative results. Microcurrent therapy uses a low-level current mimics the body’s natural flow to help address various skincare concerns.
It can help to contour your face and neck, temporarily improve circulation, and is also thought to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Microcurrent is safe, efficacious, and FDA-cleared.
Suppose you want to try microcurrent therapy to improve your skin tone and texture and contour visibly aging skin around sag-prone areas like your jawline. The TRINITY+ Starter Kit has everything you need to work microcurrent therapy into your daily routine and see results that will leave you wondering how you ever considered something as intense as a facelift.
Red Light Therapy
Another alternative to a facelift regarding anti-aging therapies is red light therapy. Red light therapy uses red light to brighten, tighten, and improve skin texture. It can also help to address concerns such as discoloration and signs of aging.
And while red light therapy is generally most effective when it comes to discoloration and skin tone issues versus texture — which is where microcurrent therapy shines — when you use both in combination with one another, it’s the ideal recipe to get serious results fast, in a non-invasive and convenient way.
Our NuFACE Trinity® Wrinkle Reducer Red Light Therapy attachment goes with the abovementioned microcurrent therapy device. It helps to minimize the look of lines and wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and forehead with a precise combination of red, amber, and infrared LED light without any pain or down time.
Takeaway
While facelifts can be effective and may be the right option for many people, they come with a hefty price tag, not to mention that a facelift is a pretty invasive surgery requiring less-than-desirable recovery time.
If you’re looking for a solution to aging skin and a facelift doesn’t fit your lifestyle or budget, exploring alternatives like a red light or microcurrent therapy may be right for you and your skin.
Sources:
Skin Care and Aging | National Institute on Aging
How Much Does a Facelift Cost? | American Society of Plastic Surgeons
What are the Steps of a Facelift Procedure? | American Society of Plastic Surgeons
