Facelift
Facelift Surgery NJ & NYC
Erase the signs of aging with a rhytidectomy, or face lift. Hormonal changes, aging, sun damage, weight fluctuation, and smoking can all take a toll on the face, causing the eyes, neck, and chin to droop, sag, and crease. These changes are a direct result of muscle loss, laxity, and loose skin.
Facelift surgery does not create a dramatically different face, it restores the version of your face that time has altered. Dr. Racanelli tailors the exact technique to your anatomy, degree of skin laxity, and goals, so the result looks natural and is specific to you.
Rhytidectomy
Surgical facial rejuvenation for sagging and creasing
Technique options
Traditional and limited incision facelift
Often paired with
Neck lift, injectables, and lasers
About Facelifts
Turn back the clock with a customized facelift plan
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, addresses the structural causes of facial aging rather than the surface symptoms alone. As the underlying facial muscles and connective tissue (SMAS layer) lose tone over time, skin loses its anchor and begins to descend. Injectables can soften the appearance of this, but they cannot reposition tissue that has physically shifted. Surgery can.
Facelift surgery can be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with a neck lift, brow lift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), injectable fillers, or laser resurfacing to address aging across multiple zones of the face. Dr. Racanelli determines the right combination during your consultation based on where the aging is most pronounced and what outcomes are realistic for your anatomy.
Dr. Racanelli's Approach to Facial Rejuvenation
What I find patients most often want from a facelift is to look like themselves, just less tired, less heavy around the jaw, more like the way they looked ten years ago. The goal is never to look like you've had surgery. When a facelift is done well, the result should be a refresh that people around you notice without being able to name.
Technically, the most important decision in a facelift is how the underlying SMAS layer, the muscular network beneath the skin, is addressed. Simply pulling on the skin produces tension, and tension produces an operated look over time. I use SMAS plication to lift and reposition the deeper facial structures first, so the skin can be redraped without distortion. This is what creates a result that moves naturally and holds its position long-term.
After repositioning the deeper tissues, I close in three layers to minimize tension at the skin surface and support precise scar placement. The incision follows the natural contour of the hairline and ear so it remains discreet as it heals.
Whether a traditional facelift or a limited incision approach is right for a given patient depends on how much laxity is present and which areas are the primary concern. I discuss this in detail during consultation, and I bring before and after photos so patients can get a realistic sense of what the procedure can and cannot achieve for their specific anatomy.
Procedure
Traditional, limited incision, and neck lift combinations
1
Procedure duration
Face-lift surgery can take from one hour to four hours depending on the outcome desired and the individual case at hand.
2
Traditional facelift
The traditional incision begins at the temple area and follows the natural hairline down in front of and around the ear. The incision is designed to remain hidden beneath the hairline.
3
SMAS plication technique
Once the incision is made, Dr. Racanelli uses the SMAS plication technique to tighten muscles beneath the skin, remove unwanted skin tension, and support longer-lasting results.
4
Signature Three-Layer Closure
After excess skin is removed, Dr. Racanelli closes the incision in three precise layers. This multi-layer approach minimizes surface tension, supports accurate scar placement, and helps the incision heal as discreetly as possible.
5
Limited incision facelift
This approach uses many of the same techniques as a traditional lift, but requires only a small incision just in front of the ear, minimizing the overall incision length.
The limited incision approach is often well-suited for patients in their 40s and early 50s with mild to moderate skin laxity who want meaningful improvement without the longer incision of a traditional lift.
6
Neck lift pairing
A neck lift focuses on loose skin and muscles in the neck area and is often performed in conjunction with a facelift to achieve complete facial rejuvenation.
Facelift Benefits
Results that look natural and last
1
Lifted facial contours
Repositioning of underlying facial tissue restores the jawline, cheeks, and mid-face to a more youthful position.
2
Reduced sagging and jowling
Excess skin along the jaw and lower face is removed, reducing the appearance of jowls and heaviness.
3
Smoother neck and chin
When combined with a neck lift, the transition from chin to neck becomes cleaner and more defined.
4
Long-lasting results
Because facelift addresses the underlying structural cause of facial aging rather than surface symptoms, results typically last 7–10 years or more.
5
Natural appearance
The SMAS plication technique repositions deeper tissue so the skin can be redraped without tension, the cause of the "pulled" look associated with older facelift techniques.
6
Customizable approach
Traditional and limited incision techniques can be combined with other procedures (neck lift, blepharoplasty, injectables) to address the full face.
Preparing for Facelift Surgery
Stop blood-thinning medications and supplements (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E) at least two weeks before surgery, as directed by Dr. Racanelli
Stop smoking and all nicotine use at least 4–6 weeks before and after surgery, nicotine significantly impairs healing and increases the risk of skin necrosis in facelift patients
Arrange transportation to and from the surgical facility, and arrange for someone to stay with you at home for the first 24–48 hours after surgery
Arrange at least 10–14 days away from work and social obligations, visible bruising and swelling are normal and take time to resolve
Follow pre-operative fasting instructions, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia
Your Facelift Consultation with Dr. Racanelli
What Happens During Consultation
By the end of your consultation, you should have a clear picture of what is possible for your anatomy and what the procedure involves. If you decide to proceed, Dr. Racanelli will design a personalized surgical plan and walk you through every aspect of preparation and recovery before scheduling your date.
Facelift Recovery: What to Expect
1
First Two Weeks
Bruising, swelling, and tightness are normal and expected in the first 1–2 weeks. Most patients take 10–14 days before they feel comfortable being seen in public. Drains, if used, are typically removed within the first few days. Dr. Racanelli will provide specific wound care instructions and schedule a follow-up appointment within the first week.
2
Weeks 2–4
Most patients return to desk work and light daily activity within 2 weeks. Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and exercise should be avoided for at least 3–4 weeks. Residual swelling may persist for several weeks, final results become more apparent as swelling resolves and the tissues settle.
3
Final Results
The complete result of facelift surgery is typically visible at 3–6 months, once all swelling has resolved and the skin has fully settled. Scars continue to fade and soften over 12–18 months. Results typically last 7–10 years, though the aging process continues, many patients choose a touch-up procedure later if desired.
Results
Leave the operating room looking as young as you feel
Facelift results are visible immediately after surgery, though swelling and bruising mean the final outcome takes weeks to fully emerge. As the face heals, patients typically notice a defined jawline, a smoother transition from chin to neck, and a fresher, more rested appearance overall. Because SMAS plication addresses the underlying facial structures rather than just the skin, the result settles naturally and holds its position over time.
For many patients, a facelift produces a change that others notice without being able to identify, a common comment is that the patient looks well-rested or healthier, rather than operated on. That outcome, a result that looks like you at your best, is the goal of every procedure Dr. Racanelli performs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift Surgery
How long does a facelift last?
Facelift results typically last 7–10 years, though individual results vary based on skin quality, lifestyle, and the degree of aging that was present at the time of surgery. The aging process continues after surgery, but patients generally remain significantly ahead of where they would have been without the procedure. Some patients choose a touch-up procedure after 10 or more years.
Will I look unnatural after a facelift?
The "pulled" or "windswept" look associated with older facelift techniques results from placing tension on the skin itself. Dr. Racanelli uses SMAS plication to reposition the deeper facial structures first, which allows the skin to be redraped without surface tension. The result is a more natural appearance that moves correctly and holds its position over time.
Can a facelift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, facelift is frequently combined with a neck lift to address the lower face and neck together. It can also be performed alongside non-surgical treatments such as injectable fillers and laser resurfacing. Combining procedures allows patients to address multiple areas of concern in a single recovery period. Dr. Racanelli will discuss which combination, if any, makes sense for your goals.
What is the SMAS layer and why does it matter for facelift?
The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is a layer of muscle and connective tissue that lies beneath the skin of the face. As we age, the SMAS loses tone and descends, pulling the overlying skin with it. A facelift that only addresses the skin addresses the symptom, not the cause, and produces a less natural, less durable result. Dr. Racanelli uses SMAS plication to lift and reposition this deeper layer, which is what produces a natural result that lasts.
How visible will my facelift scar be?
The facelift incision is placed in the natural crease in front of the ear and extends into the hairline, where it is designed to remain concealed. The three-layer closure technique Dr. Racanelli uses minimizes surface tension and supports precise scar placement. Scars continue to fade over 12–18 months. Most patients find their incisions are not visible in everyday situations once fully healed.
Am I too old, or too young, for a facelift?
Facelift candidacy is based on the degree of facial laxity rather than age alone. Most patients who benefit from facelift surgery are in their 40s through 60s, though some patients in their 70s are excellent candidates and some patients in their late 30s with significant early laxity may benefit from a limited incision approach. Dr. Racanelli will give you an honest assessment of where you are on that spectrum during your consultation.
Cost of Facelift Surgery in New Jersey & New York City
The cost of facelift surgery depends on the technique used, whether additional procedures such as a neck lift are performed at the same time, surgical duration, and hospital and anesthesia fees. A personalized cost estimate is provided at your consultation.
Dr. Racanelli's team provides a detailed, itemized cost breakdown so you understand exactly what is included before making any decisions. Financing is available through Cherry for qualified patients.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Racanelli for Facelift Surgery
Facelift surgery requires a surgeon with a strong foundation in facial anatomy and a precise, conservative hand, the goal is always a result that looks natural, not operated. As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Racanelli brings formal training in facial surgery to every facelift case, including his use of SMAS plication and a three-layer closure technique designed to produce results that hold their position and heal discreetly.
Every facelift procedure is performed personally by Dr. Racanelli at an accredited hospital facility with a board-certified anesthesiologist. Patients meet directly with Dr. Racanelli at consultation and work with him exclusively throughout their care, not with a coordinator or mid-level provider.
Facelift consultations are available at Dr. Racanelli's offices in Newark, Morristown, and New York City. Patients travel from throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area, including from Summit, Short Hills, Montclair, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Manhattan.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Racanelli
Discuss your goals and personalized treatment plan with a surgeon who is directly involved every step of the way.