Facelift San Diego
How do facelifts work?
A facelift tightens underlying muscles and tissues in the lower face and neck, removes excess sagging skin, and redrapes the facial skin in a natural-looking, elevated position. A facelift is the gold standard for tightening underlying musculature and lax skin to take years off your look and restore a youthful, refreshed appearance. This procedure is also known as rhytidectomy (literally “removal of wrinkles”).
Although there are many non-invasive San Diego facial rejuvenation options available today, none rivals the results facelifts can achieve. While non-surgical options like injectables may complement the results of a facelift, these options do not effectively address significant skin laxity, which facelifts specifically addresses. It is often said that facelifts turns back the clock on facial aging; results look natural, and you will continue to age, but you will also continue to look younger and more refreshed than you would have without the procedure.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Gallus is a board certified plastic surgeon and Castle Connolly Top Doctor. She will partner with you to develop a tailored surgical plan that prioritizes your safety and results.
Dr. Chao’s elite facial plastic surgery training and remarkable attention to detail offers patients safe, natural-looking results. She will work closely with you to understand your goals and concerns to bring your aesthetic vision to life.
Your Facelift Plastic Surgery Options
Each facelift procedure is customized to you. Depending on the concerns you have and how advanced your signs of facial aging are, a certain procedure variation or a combination technique may be better suited to meet your needs. Here are the most common procedure options—including the neck lift procedure, which is typically included as part of a facelift—that patients undergo at our cosmetic surgery practice:
Standard Facelift
A standard facelift is best suited for patients with sagging tissue from the cheeks to the jawline. Incisions are placed in front of the ears and extend behind the ears and into the hairline.
You may be a candidate for a standard facelift if you have one or more of the following issues:
- Excess skin that starts along the cheeks
- Sagging of soft tissues and muscles of the face and neck
- Haggard facial appearance after rapid weight loss
- Poor jawline definition
- Jowls
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is designed to treat patients with localized facial aging around the jawline. Compared with a traditional facelift, smaller (or fewer) incisions may be used to perform a mini facelift leaving smaller (or fewer) scars. Good candidates for this facelift technique have less advanced signs of facial aging, limited to the lower face.
To determine if you are an ideal candidate for a mini facelift procedure, Dr. Gallus and Dr. Chao will look for these factors:
- Signs of lower facial aging, i.e. jowls and some skin laxity
- Good skin elasticity around the upper cheeks and eyes
- Good skin elasticity in the neck (no neck rejuvenation is needed)
Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift is considered the most advanced technique for facial rejuvenation, addressing not only the skin but also the deeper muscle and connective tissue layers of the face. Unlike a standard facelift, which repositions skin and superficial tissue, the deep plane facelift releases and repositions the deeper facial structures, creating a more natural, longer-lasting result without an overly “pulled” look.
This procedure is especially effective for patients with more advanced signs of aging, as it improves midface sagging, deep nasolabial folds, jowls, and laxity in the neck. Incisions are similar to those of a standard facelift but allow Dr. Chao to elevate and reposition tissue at a deeper level for more dramatic yet natural results.
You may be a candidate for a deep plane facelift if you have one or more of the following:
- Prominent jowls or sagging along the jawline
- Deep creases around the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds)
- Drooping cheeks or hollowing in the midface
- Skin and muscle laxity in both the face and neck
- A desire for a more comprehensive and longer-lasting result than a standard facelift
Compared to mini and standard facelift techniques, the deep plane facelift offers the most complete rejuvenation, with results that can look more natural and tend to last longer.
All the B’s: The Truth About Deep Plane Facelifts
Dr. Chao and scrub tech Bri share everything you need to know about deep plane facelifts (yes, including Kris Jenner’s!) in this episode of All the B’s, their fun and unfiltered plastic surgery podcast:
“Dr. Gallus is the BEST! Smart, knowledgeable, patient, personable, honest and I could go on and on. After numerous consultations (all males) I decided I wanted to meet with a female doctor before making my decision and I knew in the first 10 minutes that I was going to go with Dr. Gallus. She is the only one who looked at me and made her recommendation based on my face/neck and what I wanted. All the others gave me the exact same text book version of a neck lift. Exact same thing you can read on the internet. The recovery/healing process after surgery can be a little scary and overwhelming, I know I mentioned patient but Dr. Gallus went above and beyond here, she responds to texts and is happy to see you as many times as you want to help reassure you at every step of your recovery. Restore SD Plastic Surgery and all the staff are great!”
—Actual patient of Dr. Gallus
Neck Lift in San Diego
A neck lift may be performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with other facelift techniques. (In fact, traditional facelifts includes a neck lift as well as lower face rejuvenation.) During a neck lift, an incision is placed under the chin, through which the platysma muscles are tightened. Through incisions behind the ears where scares are well-concealed, the skin is redraped over the tightened muscles.
You may be a good candidate for a neck lift if you have:
- Vertical bands on the neck
- A frustrating “turkey wattle”
- Poor neck and jaw definition caused by excess skin
Complementary Procedures to Combine with a Facelift or Neck Lift
Fat Grafting
Fat grafting is often included in the facelift surgical plan if patients have a degree of volume loss in the face due to either aging or weight loss. Fat grafting, or liposuction fat transfer, involves using your own fat as a natural solution for restoring volume to areas of the face that have thinned out or grown to sag.
Here is how fat grafting works: First, fat is removed via liposuction from localized areas such as the abdomen or flanks. The fat is carefully processed, then injected in volume-depleted cheeks, lips, and temples as needed to give you a natural-looking and refreshed appearance.
Laser Resurfacing
While a facelift repositions tissues and helps with sagging, it doesn’t necessarily smooth all wrinkles. For patients who need to also address skin texture, discoloration, and fine lines, laser skin resurfacing can be performed at the time of your facelift surgery to improve the smoothness and tone of aging skin.
Laser skin resurfacing works by targeting the outermost layer of damaged skin, making room for fresh, healthy skin to replace it. It also stimulates collagen production, which keeps the skin looking firm and healthy, making it an ideal complement to a facelift. Many facial plastic surgery patients also receive laser hair removal to help complete their transformation.
Upper Face Rejuvenation with Eyelid Lift or Brow Lift
It’s a little-known fact that facelift surgery focuses on the lower face and neck, but doesn’t address issues of the upper face. Patients who have sagging upper eyelids, heavy brows, or significant upper face wrinkles may choose to combine their facelift with brow lift surgery (also called a forehead lift) or eyelid lift surgery for a comprehensive improvement.
What results can a facelift achieve?
- Enhance definition: Excess skin along the jawline and neck can obscure the attractive definition of the face. By removing excess tissue, we are able to sculpt the jaw and enhance the cheekbones, restoring a youthful v-shaped contour to the face and revealing the slim line of your neck.
- Help you look younger: The goal of facelift and neck lift surgery is to highlight the youthful tone and contours of your face—this effectively erases years from your appearance. While it doesn’t halt the facial aging process entirely, patients who choose surgery notice a more youthful quality in their appearance for many years.
- Boost your confidence: The toll that facial aging takes on the quality, texture, and beauty of your skin can have a major impact on your confidence and how you view yourself. Choosing facelift surgery won’t alter your unique facial characteristics, but the procedure can enhance your natural beauty and restore the confidence of your inner self. You will continue to look like yourself, but more rejuvenated.
View Restore SD facelift before & after photos »
“Can’t begin to describe how pleased I am with the outcome of my deep plane face and neck lift with Dr. Janet Chao. She is an amazingly talented physician who utilizes the latest technologies for a flawless outcome. Her natural aesthetic gave me exactly the results I hoped for. My recovery was better than expected. I barely bruised and was out and about in one week. Choosing a facial plastic surgeon is a difficult decision and I am extremely grateful to have found Dr. Chao.”
—Lisa C., actual patient
Facelift Videos
The Truth About Deep Plane Facelifts
How to avoid the windswept facelift look
Why your facelift surgeon wants a virgin face
Facelift & Neck Lift FAQs
Your Safety = Beautiful Results
Facelift at Restore SD
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, patient safety comes first. Board-certified plastic surgeon and former Navy plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Janet Chao operate in a private, on-site Quad A-accredited surgery center, with state-of-the-art equipment and LED surgical lighting. Our plastic surgeons proudly work with a board-certified anesthesiologist and holds privileges at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Removes excess skin and tightens skin to reduce jowls and refresh the face
- Minimizes wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth, nose, and on the neck
- Can address neck issues like “turkey neck,” double chin, and horizontal neck bands
- Tightens facial muscles that have weakened with age
- Anesthesia: Medication used during surgery to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): A surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids.
- Cervicoplasty: A surgical procedure aimed at improving the appearance of the neck, often by removing excess skin.
- Deep Plane Facelift: A technique that goes under the SMAS layer to lift and reposition the facial muscles for a more natural and lasting effect.
- Endoscopic Facelift: A minimally invasive facelift technique using an endoscope to lift and reposition facial tissue.
- Facelift (Rhytidectomy): A surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck.
- Fat Transfer (Fat Grafting): A process of transferring fat from one part of the body to the face to add volume and improve contours.
- Incisions: Cuts made by a surgeon during a procedure, the location and length of which depend on the type of facelift.
- Jowls: The sagging skin below the chin or jawline that becomes more prominent with age.
- Local Anesthesia: A type of anesthesia used to numb a small area of the body.
- Mid-Facelift: A surgical procedure that focuses on the mid-section of the face, enhancing the cheekbones and reducing nasolabial folds.
- Neck Lift: A surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the neck, often performed in conjunction with a facelift.
- Platysmaplasty: A surgical procedure to tighten the platysma muscle in the neck, often part of a neck lift.
- Recovery Time: The period of time required to heal following a surgical procedure.
- SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) Plication: A technique involving tightening the SMAS layer by folding it on itself to improve facial contours.
- Submental Liposuction: The removal of fat from under the chin to improve the contour of the neck and jawline.
- Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to close incisions.
- Temporal Lift: A type of facelift that targets the temporal region to lift and smooth the outer eyebrow area.
- Volume Restoration: Techniques used to add volume to the face, often through fillers or fat grafting, to counteract age-related volume loss.
Choose our expert female plastic surgeons for your facelift in San Diego
Katerina Gallus, MD is a female cosmetic plastic surgeon who is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). With over 15 years of experience as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Gallus has the skills and expertise to develop a safe surgical plan that achieves your desired results.
Dr. Janet Chao has extensive training in facial plastic surgery; this paired with her artistic ability allow her to provide the most natural-looking surgical results possible. Using the most advanced surgical techniques, she focuses on restoring balance and harmony in facial appearance.
To schedule your consultation with Dr. Gallus or Dr. Chao, call 858-224-2281 or contact us online.
Call to schedule your consultation today »
References »
Rousso DE, Adams AS. Nuances in Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Rhytidectomy. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.010.
Hammoudeh ZS, Stevens WG. Nonsurgical Adjuncts Following Facelift to Achieve Optimal Aesthetic Outcomes: “Icing on the Cake.” Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2019.06.002.
Yang, Huanla. (2023). Research on the Application of Mini Facelift in Facial Plastic Surgery. Dermatological Health. 1. 14-18. 10.26689/dh.v1i2.5363.
Quatela V, Montague A, Manning JP, Antunes M. Extended Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Flap Rhytidectomy. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.007.
Choi J, Hwang K. Modified Medial and Lateral Platysmaplasty. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2020. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000006515.
Quatela V, Montague A, Manning JP, Antunes M. Extended Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Flap Rhytidectomy. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.007.
Gerecci D, Floyd EM, Perkins SW. Incorporating Midline Platysmaplasty with Lateral Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System Facelifting. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.003.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Katerina Gallus — Updated on Aug 20, 2025