Facelift Beverly Hills, CA | Dr. Ritu Chopra

Q: How long does a facelift last?

Facelift results are long-lasting, but the face continues to age naturally after surgery. Longevity varies according to the technique performed, skin quality, anatomy, lifestyle, sun exposure, weight changes, and other individual factors.

Q: What is the difference between a facelift and a neck lift?

A facelift primarily addresses the lower face and jawline, while a neck lift focuses on laxity and contour beneath the jaw and through the neck. They are often performed together when aging affects both areas.

Q: Will a facelift look natural?

The goal of modern facelift surgery is a refreshed result that preserves the patient’s natural features. Addressing deeper tissues rather than relying on excessive skin tension can help avoid an overly tight or pulled appearance.

Q: Can a facelift be combined with other procedures?

Yes. Depending on the patient’s goals, facelift surgery may be combined with a neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, fat transfer, or other treatments. Dr. Chopra will recommend combinations only when they are appropriate for the patient’s anatomy and overall treatment plan.

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to improve visible aging in the lower face and jawline by repositioning tissues that have descended over time and removing or redraping excess skin when appropriate. Depending on a patient’s anatomy and goals, treatment may also address the neck or be combined with other facial procedures.

Modern facelift surgery is not simply about pulling the skin tighter. The goal is to restore more youthful facial contours while preserving the patient’s natural features, expression, and identity. During consultation, Dr. Ritu Chopra evaluates the face and neck as a whole and recommends the technique best suited to the patient’s anatomy, degree of aging, and desired outcome.

Medically reviewed by Ritu Chopra, MD — Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Why Patients ChooseDr. Chopra for Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery should be tailored to the individual rather than approached as a one-size-fits-all procedure. Dr. Chopra focuses on facial balance, tissue position, skin quality, jawline and neck anatomy, and the relationship between different areas of the face when developing a surgical plan.

His approach emphasizes natural-looking rejuvenation rather than an over-tightened or “worked-on” appearance. Depending on the patient, he may recommend a SMAS-based technique, a deep plane facelift, or another individualized approach. The goal is to address the structures contributing to facial aging while maintaining natural movement and proportion.

What Does aFacelift Treat?

A facelift is primarily intended to address aging of the lower face and jawline. Common concerns include jowls, sagging cheeks, loss of jawline definition, deeper facial folds related to tissue descent, and laxity that extends toward the neck.

The exact areas treated vary from patient to patient. Some people have primarily lower-face laxity, while others have aging that involves the cheeks, jawline, and neck together. During consultation, Dr. Chopra evaluates where the tissues have descended and which areas should be treated to create a balanced result.

What a Facelift Does Not Treat

A facelift does not directly correct every sign of facial aging. Brow descent may be better treated with a brow lift, while fine surface lines, pigmentation, and skin texture may respond better to nonsurgical skin treatments. Volume loss may also require fat transfer or another volume-restoring treatment. Dr. Chopra may recommend combining procedures when doing so creates a more complete and harmonious result.

Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?

Good facelift candidates are generally healthy adults who are bothered by facial laxity that cannot be adequately improved with nonsurgical treatments. The decision is based less on a specific age and more on the patient’s anatomy, degree of tissue descent, skin quality, medical history, and expectations.

Jowls or loss of a defined jawline
Sagging of the cheeks or lower face
Loose skin in the lower face or neck
Deeper folds caused by facial tissue descent
Good overall health for elective surgery
Realistic expectations about what surgery can accomplish

What Is the Best Age for a Facelift?

There is no single “best” age for a facelift in Beverly Hills. Some patients develop meaningful facial laxity in their 40s or 50s, while others may not consider surgery until later. What matters most is whether the degree and pattern of aging can be effectively improved with surgery and whether the patient is healthy enough to undergo the procedure safely.

Facelift Techniques

There is no single facelift technique that is right for every patient. The surgical approach should match the anatomy being treated and the degree of correction needed.

SMAS Facelift

A SMAS facelift addresses the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a deeper supportive layer beneath the skin. Repositioning this layer can improve the jawline and lower face while reducing the need to place excessive tension on the skin itself.

Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift works beneath the SMAS and allows deeper facial tissues to be repositioned together. It may be recommended for patients with more significant cheek descent, jowling, or lower-face aging. Visit our dedicated Deep Plane Facelift page for a complete explanation of the technique.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift generally uses a more limited surgical approach and may be appropriate for selected patients with earlier or less extensive lower-face laxity. It does not provide the same degree of correction as a more comprehensive facelift for everyone.

Deep Plane vs. SMAS Facelift

Both approaches address deeper facial support rather than relying on skin tightening alone. The key difference is the plane in which the surgeon works and how the deeper tissues are released and repositioned. Dr. Chopra determines the appropriate approach based on each patient’s anatomy and goals.

How Is FaceliftSurgery Performed?

Facelift surgery is performed using an individualized plan based on the areas of the face and neck that require correction. Incisions are typically placed around the ear and within or near the hairline so the surgeon can access and reposition the underlying tissues while keeping visible scarring as inconspicuous as possible.

Rather than relying on skin tension alone, modern facelift techniques address deeper support structures first. Once the deeper tissues are repositioned, excess skin can be conservatively removed or redraped. The exact technique, extent of dissection, and whether the neck is treated at the same time with a neck lift depend on the patient’s anatomy and surgical plan.

Beverly Hills Facelift model with blonde hair

Where Are FaceliftIncisions and Scars?

Facelift incisions are commonly placed in natural creases around the ear and may extend into the hairline or behind the ear depending on the technique and whether the neck is treated. The goal is to provide adequate surgical access while positioning scars where they can be concealed as much as possible.

Scars are initially more noticeable and gradually mature over time. Their final appearance varies based on the surgical technique, individual healing characteristics, skin type, and postoperative care. Dr. Chopra explains the expected incision pattern before surgery so patients understand where scars will be located.

Facelift Recovery Timeline

Recovery varies according to the technique performed and the extent of surgery. The timeline below is a general overview; Dr. Chopra will provide instructions specific to your procedure.

Days 1–3

Swelling, bruising, tightness, and temporary numbness are common. Patients should rest with the head elevated, follow incision-care instructions, and have help available at home as directed.

Week 1

Early swelling and bruising begin to improve. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Chopra to monitor healing and advise when sutures, drains, or dressings can be removed if they were used.

Weeks 2–3

Many patients feel more comfortable returning to work and social activities as swelling and bruising become less noticeable, although individual recovery varies.

Weeks 4–6 and Beyond

Activity can generally be increased gradually once cleared by the surgeon. Residual swelling and subtle changes may continue to improve for several months as the tissues settle.

What Are the Risks of Facelift Surgery?

As with any surgery, facelift surgery carries potential risks. These can include bleeding or hematoma, infection, delayed wound healing, unfavorable scarring, temporary or persistent changes in sensation, asymmetry, hairline changes, anesthesia-related complications, and injury to facial nerves or other structures.

The likelihood and significance of specific risks depend on the patient’s health, anatomy, procedure, and other factors. Dr. Chopra reviews relevant risks, medical history, medications, nicotine use, and postoperative instructions during the surgical planning process so patients can make an informed decision.

How Much Does a Facelift Costin Beverly Hills?

The cost of facelift surgery in Beverly Hills varies because every procedure is customized. Pricing can be influenced by the facelift technique, the extent of lower-face and neck correction, whether additional procedures are performed, anesthesia, facility fees, and the overall complexity of the surgical plan.

Following an in-person evaluation, the Plastic Surgery Institute team can provide a personalized surgical quote based on Dr. Chopra’s recommendations. Choosing a facelift surgeon should be based on training, experience, surgical approach, safety, and the quality of results in addition to price.

Facelift Patient Reviews

“So happy I had a deep plane Facelift”

“Dr Chopra is an incredibly talented facial plastic surgeon who really cares about his patients, and it’s obvious he loves what he does. He’s there for you every step of the way and so are the staff, who are also very supportive and go out of their way to make sure you feel welcome. Everyone there is awesome. So happy I had the surgery, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”

“Kind, Compassionate, Trustworthy.”

“I’ve done the research for you and saw 25 top tier surgeons before deciding on Dr. Chopra. Look no further — by far the most excellent and expertise plastic surgeon. He’s a fantastic surgical artist. Professional. Comfortable. Kind. Compassionate. Trustworthy. I’ve never known of a better doctor who could make vast changes to my face and neck that made me look younger and feel fabulous, and yet you would never have known I’ve had a Facelift.”

“What Dr. Chopra achieved for me far exceeded expectations.”

“Dr. Chopra and his team get 5 stars all the way around, from beginning to end. I had lost a lot of weight, plus of course aging into my 60s, and I had some pretty loose jowls and a bad turkey neck. My procedures were a deep plane Facelift, neck lift, and fat transfer. What Dr. Chopra achieved for me far exceeded expectations.”

Facelift Before & After Results

Before-and-after photographs can help patients understand the range of results possible with facelift surgery. Individual outcomes vary based on anatomy, technique, healing, and the procedures performed.

Faceliftin Beverly Hills, CA