What Can I Expect From Facelift Surgery?
At Daines Plastic Surgery, facelifts are one of the most popular surgical procedures, and it’s easy to see why. Facelifts allow you to turn the clock…
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Daines Plastic Surgery
240 Newport Center Dr. #105
Newport Beach, 92660 USA
Phone: (949) 209-1622
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
How Is a Facelift Performed?
As one of the top facelift specialists in Southern California, Dr. Daines begins each procedure with a thorough consultation to understand your goals and tailor his approach. He carefully conceals incisions around the ears and within the hairline, with a small incision beneath the chin if needed.
During surgery, Dr. Daines lifts and repositions underlying facial tissues, including the SMAS layer, fat, and supporting ligaments, and then removes excess skin. He re-drapes the skin with meticulous care, reducing tension and creating smooth, natural-looking contours. He closes the incisions with precise techniques that minimize scarring. Depending on his surgical technique and whether he combines the facelift with other procedures, the surgery can last from 90 minutes to several hours.
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Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Facelift Options
Deep Plane Facelift
Dr. Daines is renowned for his deep plane facelift expertise. Rather than lifting just skin or superficial tissues, this approach releases underlying ligaments and repositions deeper facial layers as a single unit. This produces a fuller midface lift, smoother nasolabial folds, a more refined jawline, and natural-looking transitions from face to neck. The results often last 10 to 15 years or more because this facelift technique addresses the root causes of facial sagging.
The Signature Facelift
For patients seeking the most comprehensive facial rejuvenation, Dr. Daines offers the Signature Facelift. This highly customized procedure combines the powerful lifting benefits of a deep plane facelift with other advanced treatments tailored to your individual needs.
While a deep plane facelift repositions the deeper facial tissues for a natural-looking, long-lasting lift, the Signature Facelift goes further by addressing multiple signs of aging in one carefully planned procedure. Depending on your goals, Dr. Daines may incorporate:
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): to brighten the eyes and remove excess skin or puffiness.
- Brow lift: to elevate heavy brows and smooth forehead lines.
- CO2 laser resurfacing: to improve skin tone, texture, and fine wrinkles.
- Facial fat transfer: to restore volume to the lower eyelids and cheeks, mouth and chin, as well as the forehead and temples.
The Signature Facelift delivers balanced, harmonious results that rejuvenate the entire face.
SMAS Facelift (Traditional Facelift)
The SMAS facelift remains a trusted option for the right patients. It involves lifting and repositioning the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer beneath the skin, then trimming excess skin and re-draping it. If you’re concerned primarily about mild sagging in the lower face, including jowls or mild skin laxity on the neck, a SMAS lift produces noticeable improvement with a somewhat shorter recovery time than a more invasive approach.
Mini (Short-Scar) Facelift
If you’re seeing early signs of aging and want results that last longer than nonsurgical treatments, a mini facelift is an attractive option. As its name suggests, this technique utilizes shorter incisions and more limited dissection, focusing on the lower face, jawline, and mild neck issues.
Which Technique Is Right for You?
Dr. Daines recommends the best facelift option for you based on several factors, including:
- Degree of skin laxity and sagging: If you have pronounced jowls, loose cheeks, or neck bands, a deep plane facelift may be more appropriate.
- Severity of aging signs: Minor facial descent or early jowling may respond well to a SMAS or mini facelift.
- Desired longevity: A deep plane lift delivers the longest-lasting results, but it’s not necessarily the right technique for everyone.
- Recovery tolerance: The deep plane and full SMAS facelifts involve more swelling and bruising and a longer recovery than a mini facelift.
- Personal goals and facial anatomy: Bone structure, skin quality, fat distribution, and prior surgeries all influence what’s suitable and safe.
At your consultation, Dr. Daines will assess your aging pattern, facial anatomy, medical history, and aesthetic goals and recommend the technique that best balances results, safety, and recovery to achieve your desired outcome.
“Dr. Daines took 15 years off my face! I can actually see my jawline again. He is truly an artist! And it was all done with no general anesthesia which I have a low tolerance to. Dr Daines made my face match my body and my attitude again. It’s been three months since my procedure and he has been incredibly comforting and attentive throughout the entire process.”
—Anita R.
Facelift Recovery Timeline
Recovery varies depending on the technique and whether Dr. Daines performs additional procedures. While each person heals at their own pace, most patients can expect a general timeline like this:
Days 1–3
Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common. Cold compresses, head elevation, and rest help ease these effects.
Days 4–7
Stitches are often removed, and swelling begins to subside. Many patients feel comfortable resuming light activities and casual interactions.
Weeks 2–3
Bruising continues to fade, and many patients return to social activities. Strenuous exercise should still be avoided.
Weeks 4–6
Swelling and tightness improve significantly, and the new contours become more defined.
3 Months+
Final results refine, scars continue to soften, and the neck and jawline fully settle.
View our facelift post-op care instructions.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Newport Beach?
The cost of a facelift depends on the technique, the time in the OR, anesthesia, facility fees, and whether additional procedures are included. A deep plane or Signature Facelift will cost more than SMAS or mini options due to its complexity, detail, and longer surgical time. The results are also more comprehensive and last longer.
Dr. Daines provides a personalized cost estimate during your consultation, offering a clear breakdown of all fees and ensuring you have a transparent understanding of what to expect, as well as financing and payment options.
A Reputation Built on Results
I had a fantastic experience with a Dr.Daines. I really appreciated his low key vibe- it made the whole...
I’ve been a patient of Dr. Daines for 11 years and he has been not only a fantastic plastic surgeon...
My whole experience with Dr. Steven Daines was wonderful from start to finish. His office is so beautiful...
Dr Daines is an incredibly talented physician. His beside manner and willingness to recommend the best...
Why Choose Dr. Steven M. Daines?
When it comes to your face, experience isn’t optional; it’s essential. Dr. Steven M. Daines is double board-certified in facial plastic surgery and head and neck surgery and is considered a top facelift surgeon in Orange County.
In addition to his experience and expertise, Dr. Daines has a down-to-earth demeanor that immediately helps patients feel comfortable discussing their concerns with him. With a warm, communicative style and a focus on personalized care, Dr. Daines takes time to listen to your goals and develop a custom surgical plan that reflects your vision and enhances your confidence.
He has dedicated his career to facial rejuvenation procedures, earning a reputation for achieving natural-looking, balanced results that never compromise facial expression or individuality.
Facelift
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I still look like myself?
- Yes, you’ll look refreshed, not different. One of Dr. Daines’ guiding principles is to produce results that look natural. Even with a deep plane facelift, the goal is restoration, not transformation.
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How visible are the scars?
- Facelift scars are usually discreet and fade into thin lines that are rarely noticeable over time. Dr. Daines places incisions within natural creases around the ears and hairline and uses techniques that minimize skin tension, promoting smooth healing and subtle results.
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Is a mini facelift enough for my jowls?
- A mini facelift can improve mild jowling when skin laxity is limited, offering subtle refinement along the jawline. If sagging is more pronounced or extends into the neck, Dr. Daines may recommend a SMAS or deep plane facelift for more extensive and longer-lasting rejuvenation.
Consult With a Facial Plastic Surgery Expert
If you’re ready to look as vibrant as you feel, a facelift by Dr. Daines can help you restore youthful contours with results that look effortless. Dr. Daines’ reputation for creating remarkable results attracts facelift patients from Irvine, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Laguna Niguel, and throughout Orange County and beyond.
Dr. Steven M. Daines, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, has carefully reviewed the information on this page to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
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