Facelift
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, rejuvenates the face and neck by removing excess skin and tightening the tissue underneath, then redraping the skin over the newly shaped structures. It addresses sagging cheeks, jowls along the jawline, deep folds beside the mouth, and neck laxity, with results that typically last up to 10 years.
Book a consultationWhat is
a Facelift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the face and neck for a more youthful, refreshed appearance. It addresses sagging skin, deep creases, and excess fat, primarily in the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
During surgery, excess skin is removed and the tissues underneath are tightened. Fat may be repositioned or removed to contour the face, and the skin is then draped back over the newly shaped structures, so the result reads as rested rather than tight.
Incisions are placed strategically, along the hairline, around the ears, and sometimes under the chin, so they sit where they are least visible. If the neck is also a concern, a neck lift can be performed at the same time to tighten loose skin and remove excess fat, creating a smoother, more defined neck and jawline.
A facelift does not target fine lines, sun damage, or uneven skin tone. Those are concerns of the skin surface, and complementary treatments such as chemical peels or microneedling can be added to improve the overall result.
Before surgery you will be given pre-operative instructions, including stopping smoking and blood-thinning medications, and asked to arrange transportation and care for afterward. Mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common once you are home. Bandages and drains may be used at first, follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor healing, and strenuous activity, direct sun, and hair treatments are avoided for several weeks.
A facelift delivers long-lasting, natural-looking results, typically lasting up to 10 years.
Excess skin is removed and the underlying tissues are tightened, then the skin is redraped over the newly shaped structures rather than simply pulled tighter.
They follow the hairline and the contours around the ears, and sometimes run under the chin, so the healed lines sit where they are least visible.
A neck lift can be performed at the same time as the facelift, addressing sagging skin and excess fat below the jawline in one procedure.
A facelift is long-lasting rather than temporary. Results typically last up to 10 years.
Am I a candidate for a facelift?
Sagging cheeks, jowls and a heavy neck are a question of position, not of skin texture.
A facelift is planned in consultation, around your anatomy and what you want changed. Here is what it addresses, and what it does not:
Sagging Cheeks
Midface skin and fat that have settled lower than they once sat.
Jowls at the Jawline
Excess skin along the jaw that blurs the line between face and neck.
Deep Folds Beside the Mouth
The creases running from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
Neck Laxity
Loose skin below the chin, addressed by a neck lift in the same procedure.
Excess Fat in the Neck
Fullness beneath the jaw, reduced or repositioned as the neck is lifted.
Position, Not Surface
Fine lines, sun damage and uneven tone are not treated by a lift. Peels or microneedling can be added for those.
Rested.Not pulled.
Each case below is one patient of Dr. Mafi, photographed in the same position before surgery and after healing. Drag the seam to compare. The aim is a face that reads as itself, with the deeper tissues repositioned rather than the skin pulled tight.
See the full galleryIndividual results vary. These are patients of Dr. Mafi, photographed at Mafi Plastic Surgery, and published with their permission. They are not a guarantee of your own outcome.
Common questions about facelift surgery
There is no single price for a facelift because every procedure is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The cost depends on how much lifting is needed, whether a neck lift or other procedures are performed at the same time, and the facility and anesthesia fees. Your personalized quote will be provided after your consultation, once Dr. Mafi has created your treatment plan. Because a facelift is considered cosmetic surgery, it is generally not covered by health insurance.
What does a facelift cost, and does insurance cover it?
There is no single price for a facelift because every procedure is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The cost depends on how much lifting is needed, whether a neck lift or other procedures are performed at the same time, and the facility and anesthesia fees. Your personalized quote will be provided after your consultation, once Dr. Mafi has created your treatment plan. Because a facelift is considered cosmetic surgery, it is generally not covered by health insurance.
Rested,
Not Pulled
If jowls, deep folds or a heavy neck are what you notice first, ask Dr. Mafi whether a facelift is the right approach for your face. Consultations are in Fresno, and surgery is performed at our own accredited surgery center.
Prefer to talk? Call (559) 890-6500.
Medically reviewed by Parham Mafi, M.D., F.A.C.S., board-certified plastic surgeon at Mafi Plastic Surgery. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed August 2026Updated