As time passes, the natural aging process, combined with environmental factors like sun exposure and daily stress, can lead to visible changes in the face and neck. Deep lines may form beside the mouth, the jawline begins to sag, and your neck may develop fat deposits or loose skin. For individuals looking to restore a more youthful appearance, a facelift offers one of the most effective solutions — tightening underlying muscles, removing excess fat, and lifting sagging skin for smoother, firmer contours.
At Little Rock Plastic Surgery, facelifts are performed by Dr. Michael Spann, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive training in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Spann has completed rigorous general surgery and plastic surgery residencies and holds certifications from both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His specialized expertise includes deep plane facelifts, mini facelifts, and midface lifts — providing patients with comprehensive options that deliver natural-looking and long-lasting results.
What Is a Facelift?
Facelifts, technically known as rhytidectomies (literally, "removal of wrinkles"), rejuvenate the mid-to-lower face and neck. Facelifts are most effective for patients who want to correct:
- Midface sagging.
- Deep creases under the eyes.
- Deep creases between the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds).
- Jowls due to loss of muscle tone.
- Sagging areas of fat.
- Loose skin and fat under the chin and jaw.
By addressing these issues, a facelift can dramatically rejuvenate the face and help patients look as vibrant as they feel.
Enhance Your Results with Complementary Procedures
Facelifts provide an impressive and lasting enhancement to your facial appearance, addressing concerns like sagging skin, jowls, and deep creases. Many patients are delighted to discover that they look significantly younger — often by a decade or more — after surgery. While a facelift won't stop the natural aging process, it can help you maintain a refreshed and revitalized appearance for many years.
Facelifts can be paired with additional treatments such as brow lifts, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), dermal fillers, facial implants, or skin resurfacing to elevate your outcome further. These combined approaches allow for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, achieving balanced, natural-looking results tailored to your goals.
Types of Facelifts: Deep Plane, Midface, and Mini Lift
Understanding the variety of facelift techniques helps patients select the most appropriate option for their needs:
Deep Plane Facelift: This advanced technique targets the deeper layers of the face beneath the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system). By repositioning both muscle and fat, it achieves longer-lasting and more natural results, especially for patients with significant sagging in the cheeks and jowls.
Midface Lift: Focused on lifting the cheeks and the area under the eyes, the midface lift enhances volume and tightens the central portion of the face. This procedure is ideal for patients whose primary concern is flattening or sagging of the cheeks rather than jowls or neck.
Mini Facelift (S-Lift):Â A less invasive option, the mini facelift addresses early signs of aging with smaller incisions and a quicker recovery time. It is best suited for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity in the lower face.
Each technique can be tailored to meet the patient’s aesthetic goals, facial anatomy, and stage of aging. Dr. Spann will help determine which approach is right for you during your consultation.
Facelift Surgery Techniques and Options
Facelifts are typically outpatient procedures and may be performed in an office-based facility, surgery center, or hospital. Patients may have a choice of IV sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure takes about two hours.
How a facelift is performed varies depending on the surgeon, the patient’s facial structure, and the desired correction. The three most common incision techniques are:
- Traditional Facelift
- Limited-Incision Facelift
- Neck Lift
In all three methods, incisions are closed with stitches or tissue glue. Scars are hidden in the hairline and natural contours of the face.
Candidates for Facelift
The best candidates for rhytidectomy:
- Wish to improve one or more of the signs of aging.
- Men or women whose faces have begun to sag but whose skin still has some elasticity.
- They are generally healthy.
- Do not smoke.
- Have realistic expectations.
- They are considering a facelift for personal reasons, not because someone else is pressuring them.
During your consultation, Dr. Spann will discuss whether a facelift is right for you.
Recovery
Post-operative care is crucial for achieving optimal facelift results. After your rhytidectomy, your doctor will wrap the incisions in bandages and may place drainage tubes in the area. These tubes are typically removed the following day, and your hair will be carefully washed. Surgical clips or stitches to close the incisions are usually removed within one week.
Patients can expect swelling, bruising, numbness, and a feeling of tightness for the first few days, and facial muscles may feel stiff. Your face may appear uneven or slightly distorted initially. Most of these symptoms resolve within 3–6 weeks, and sensation typically returns to normal in a few months. Scars will fade gradually over time.
Many patients return to work by the third week. Camouflage cosmetics can help reduce the visibility of any remaining bruising.
Why Choose Dr. Spann for Your Facelift in Little Rock?
Dr. Michael Spann holds dual board certifications in General Surgery from the American Board of Surgery and in Plastic Surgery from the prestigious American Board of Plastic Surgery. This distinction reflects the highest level of training, skill, and ethical standards in the field. He completed five years of general surgery and two years of dedicated plastic surgery training, with an additional focus on aesthetic procedures such as deep plane facelifts, midface lifts, and S-lift techniques. His reputation as one of Arkansas’ top cosmetic surgeons is built on decades of surgical experience, meticulous technique, and a deep understanding of facial anatomy and aging.
Turn Back the Clock with a Personalized Facelift Consultation
Ready to take the next step toward a more youthful, confident appearance? Contact Dr. Michael Spann at Little Rock Plastic Surgery in Little Rock, AR, at 501.219.8000 to schedule your personalized facelift consultation today.
