Facelift

What to Expect: Before, During and After Surgery

Understanding the process can help you feel more confident and prepared for your procedure.

Before Surgery

Your journey begins with a consultation, where your surgeon evaluates your skin, facial structure, and goals. A personalized treatment plan is created, which may include additional procedures such as eyelid surgery or a neck lift for more balanced results.

During Surgery

Facelift procedures at Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Centers of El Paso are typically performed on an outpatient basis. Your surgeon will make carefully placed incisions, reposition underlying tissues, remove excess skin, and re-drape the skin for a smoother, lifted appearance.

After Surgery

Following the procedure, you will experience some swelling and bruising, which are normal parts of healing. Detailed aftercare instructions will be provided to support a smooth recovery.

Facelift Recovery Timeline

Recovery is an important part of your overall experience and results.

While every patient heals differently, most can expect:

• First few days: Swelling and bruising are most noticeable
• 1–2 weeks: Many patients feel comfortable returning to light activities or work
• 3–4 weeks: Visible swelling continues to improve
• 6+ weeks: Results become more refined and natural-looking

Your surgeon will guide you through each stage to ensure proper healing and optimal outcomes.

How Long Do Facelift Results Last?

A facelift does not stop the aging process, but it can significantly slow its visible effects. Most patients enjoy results for 5 to 10 years or longer, depending on factors such as:

• Skin quality and elasticity
• Lifestyle habits, including sun exposure
• Skincare routine and maintenance treatments

Maintaining Your Facelift Results

While a facelift delivers long-lasting rejuvenation, maintaining your results depends on how you care for your skin over time. Daily sun protection, a consistent skincare routine, and healthy lifestyle habits all play a role in preserving your outcome.

Many patients also choose to incorporate non-surgical treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers or laser resurfacing to support their results as the natural aging process continues. These treatments can help refine and extend the benefits of your facelift, keeping your appearance looking refreshed and balanced for years to come.

Your surgeon can recommend a personalized maintenance plan based on your skin and long-term goals.

Cost of a Facelift in El Paso

The cost of a facelift can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether additional treatments are performed.

Factors that influence pricing include:

• Type of facelift performed
• Combination procedures (neck lift, eyelid surgery, etc.)
• Surgical time and technique
• Individual patient needs

During your consultation, you will receive a personalized treatment plan along with a detailed cost breakdown. Financing options may also be available to help make your procedure more accessible.

Who is the Ideal Facelift Candidate?

Men and women alike benefit from facelift procedures. Facelifts for men in particular have rapidly increased in the last few years, and for good reason. A facelift — both surgical and non-surgical — can erase the signs of aging and promote a younger and more rejuvenated appearance.

Each patient is different and has unique skin and cosmetic goals. Ideally, a patient undergoing a facelift surgery will be healthy overall and able to heal and recover from an invasive procedure. Surprisingly, the age of the patient is less relevant than their skin elasticity and overall health. A surgical facelift might be right for you if you are experiencing deep wrinkles on the forehead or around the mouth and chin, sagging skin on your cheeks or drooping, heavy jowls.

If your concerns are more limited — for example, a drooping brow or fine lines around the eyes — you may be able to achieve your goals with non-invasive procedures like Botox, especially with a combination of other non-surgical options like fillers, chemical peels and laser resurfacing. These procedures can considerably reduce the appearance of wrinkles and release facial muscle tension that might be causing skin to pucker or your brows to be drawn downward.

Types of Facelift Surgeries

If a surgical facelift might be right for you, your next step is to determine what kind of facelift will make the most sense for your needs and your timeline. There are a few different options that can address different concerns, some of which are relatively less invasive or require less recovery time.

Traditional or Full Facelift

A full facelift is the most comprehensive facelift procedure, as it allows the doctor to address essentially the entire face. This kind of facelift targets any sagging, wrinkles, or excess fat on the brow, midface, jaw or neck region. This is typically the most popular kind of face lift among patients over 50 years old.

Mid-Face Lift

During this procedure, the doctor typically can lift and tighten tissues below the eyes and around the cheeks. This procedure gives your surgeon more access to certain facial features and muscles, allowing for more detail in the midface than a traditional facelift can achieve. This is often the ideal surgery for patients, both men and women, in their 30s and 40s who hope to rejuvenate their appearance.

Mini Facelift

This procedure usually involves smaller incisions and a shorter recovery period, and is sometimes referred to as a “weekend facelift” — though it can take up to a week before you feel able to return to work or daily activities. This surgery targets a smaller area, usually the jaw, lower cheeks and neck. This is also common among younger patients.

Lower Facelift

As its name suggests, this surgery specifically targets the bottom third of the face. It is a great option for patients seeking to lift the corners of the mouth and enhance the jaw. This treatment is suitable for all ages and creates a more youthful look.

Non-Surgical Facelift in El Paso

Using injectable treatments like Botox, expert plastic surgeons like our team at the Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center of El Paso are often able to mimic the results of a facelift surgery for the right client. The appeal of using injectable treatments is that they are more cost-effective, they are non-invasive, you can see your results more quickly and they do not require any recovery time. 

The downside is that the results do not last as long — Botox typically wears off after three or four months, at which point you would need to schedule another session to keep your face looking younger. However, for many people, regular visits to their Botox provider are preferable to undergoing a full surgical facelift.

Types of Non-Surgical Facelifts

Non-surgical facelifts most commonly begin with the injectable anti-aging treatment Botox, or another brand name of the same substance such as Dysport or Xeomin. These treatments relax muscles in your face that may become overworked over time — for example, frown lines or worry lines that appear when you furrow your brow or squint without thinking. When these muscles become too tense, they cause signs of aging like deep wrinkles as well as the illusion of a more tired or worried expression even if you feel like you are relaxing your face. 

Treating them with Botox can take years off your face and restore a lifted, more open expression. Some clients also choose to add dermal fillers to help with areas of sagging skin. These treatments cannot work as extensively as a facelift, and are most suitable for younger clients whose facial aging is in the early stages or is not severe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facelifts

How do I know if I need a facelift or fillers?

If you are experiencing mild volume loss, fine lines, or early signs of aging, fillers or Botox may be enough to refresh your appearance. However, if you are noticing sagging skin, jowls, or deeper folds around the mouth and jawline, a facelift is typically the more effective option. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your concerns and recommend the approach that will give you the most natural and lasting results.

Will my facelift look natural?

When performed correctly, a facelift enhances your existing features rather than changing them. The goal is to reposition underlying tissues and smooth the skin in a way that looks balanced and refreshed, not tight or overdone. With modern techniques and careful planning, most patients look like a younger version of themselves rather than someone who has had obvious work done.

Are scars visible after a facelift?

Facelift incisions are carefully placed along natural contours, such as around the ears and within the hairline, to keep them as discreet as possible. As healing progresses, these scars typically fade and become difficult to notice. Your surgeon will also provide aftercare instructions to help support proper healing and minimize the appearance over time.

Can men get facelifts?

Yes, facelifts are increasingly popular among men who want to maintain a strong, defined appearance as they age. The technique is adjusted to preserve masculine features, such as the natural jawline and hairline, while reducing sagging and deep lines. The goal is a subtle, refreshed look that does not appear overly altered.

When will I see my final results?

You will begin to notice improvements within the first few weeks as swelling and bruising subside. However, final results take time to fully develop, often over several months, as the tissues settle and healing completes. This gradual refinement is what helps create a natural-looking outcome rather than a sudden or drastic change.

Why Choose Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Centers of El Paso?

Choosing the right provider is just as important as choosing the right procedure. At Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Centers of El Paso, patients benefit from:

• Experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons including Dr. Jabor and Dr. Reynolds
• A patient-first approach focused on honesty, safety, and individualized care
• Outpatient procedures performed in advanced, state-of-the-art facilities
• Continuity of care with your chosen surgeon from consultation through recovery

Every treatment plan is designed to deliver natural-looking results that align with your personal goals.

Facelift Procedures with Experienced Providers in El Paso

At the Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center of El Paso, we offer a variety of surgical and non-surgical services to give you the best results possible. We encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our facial rejuvenation experts, Dr. Jabor and Dr. Reynolds, who can help you find out if injections, a surgical facelift or a different cosmetic treatment might be right for you. 

During this in-person meeting, we will formulate a plan personalized to your needs and your skin. For more information about facelift procedures in El Paso, Texas, schedule a consultation today at our Westside by calling 915-543-5600 or our Eastside office at 915-855-7800.