Facelift

Introduction

At our Newport Beach practice, facelift is our most popular procedure. A good facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, can easily reverse signs of facial aging. Faces in their forties and fifties start to show the effects of gravity – more lines, less facial muscle tone, and sagging jowls. A facelift leaves your face looking refreshed, healthy, and younger. In fact, it can make you look and feel ten to fifteen years younger – no wonder it’s the most famous procedure in plastic surgery. Dr. Michael J. Sundine strives to deliver the best facelift Newport Beach has to offer.

out of beach -- woman --Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Sundine

What is Facelift?

In its simplest terms, a facelift is an aesthetic plastic surgery designed to combat aging and restore a more youthful appearance to a patient. Its essential elements include repositioning deeper tissues and tightening the skin of the face and neck. An isolated facelift (only that single procedure) is rarely performed. More commonly, a facelift is performed with a neck lift procedure.

The aging face is characterized by loss of skin elasticity, laxity of the deep tissues, and some loss of volume in certain areas. The appearance changes from the heart-shaped face of youth to a boxier and more hardened look.

Patients who are good candidates for a rhytidectomy typically have started to develop laxity of the skin of the cheeks and neck, along with wrinkles. The creases that run from the base of the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases) begin to deepen. The corners of the mouth become downturned, which causes lipstick to leak out of the corners of the mouth in women.

Patients start developing creases from the corners of the mouth to the chin, marionette lines, and jowls. The neck skin becomes lax, and bands of platysma muscle tissue develop. The full facelift technique is designed to treat all of these aging changes.

Note: Be wary of heavily marketed procedures that promise to achieve in an hour over lunch with no downtime. These procedures cannot achieve significant correction and will not produce a lasting result. A recent Consumer Affairs report from a study they conducted on one of the heavily marketed procedures reveals that the procedure had only a 2% satisfaction rating with five stars, while the dissatisfaction percentage was 76%, earning only one star.

Facelift -- Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Sundine

What Sets Dr. Sundine Apart From Other Facelift Surgeons In Newport Beach?

  • Dr. Michael Sundine has performed hundreds of successful facial plastic surgeries during his career with long-lasting, stunning results.
  • He is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
  • With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Sundine is one of the most experienced plastic surgeons in the Newport Beach area.
  • Dr. Sundine has been voted Orange County “Physician of Excellence” over 19 times in his career, and as recently as 2023 in Orange Coast Mag.
  • Dr. Sundine is a published author on facial rejuvenation, having written Aesthetic Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck, which can be purchased online.

Facelift Quick Facts

  • Surgery Time: 4–5 hours
  • Price: ~$10,000 – $50,000 (For an accurate cost, please come in for a personal consultation)
  • Recovery Time: We encourage you to rest for about two weeks before resuming normal social activities, but a full recovery typically requires three to six weeks.
  • Results: You can typically enjoy your facelift for a minimum of 10–15 years, with results depending on your lifestyle, skincare routine, and inevitably, time.

Facelift Basics

Many people still believe that these procedures don’t work and that having one makes you look plastic and unnatural. Others think they are only for the rich and famous or that the procedure needs to be repeated, over and over again. With advances in surgical techniques, the results of today’s lift procedures last a long time, anywhere from five to ten years. Many people have repeated procedures with great success. Surgeons have learned how to tighten not only the skin but the underlying muscle as well, and they also know how to remove excess fat from jowls, cheeks, and necks with liposuction.

Mini-facelift

A Mini-Facelift, sometimes referred to as a Short Scar Facelift, is a refined alternative to the traditional facelift that focuses on improving mild to moderate skin laxity in the lower face. Many plastic surgeons consider it less invasive and typically involve less extensive skin removal.

During the procedure, Dr. Sundine creates small, well-concealed incisions behind the ears to lift and tighten the underlying facial structures and remove excess skin. These incisions are closed using meticulous suturing techniques designed to reduce skin tension and help minimize scarring.

The surgery typically takes under two hours to complete, with patients usually experiencing only mild swelling and bruising. Compared to a full facelift, recovery is generally quicker and more comfortable.

Deep plane facelift

A Deep Plane Facelift is widely recognized as a highly effective, though technically advanced, facial rejuvenation procedure. It delivers some of the most durable outcomes available in facial surgery, with results often lasting up to 15 years. This technique is particularly effective at softening deep facial creases such as the nasolabial folds (commonly referred to as “smile lines”) and addressing volume loss in the mid-face by lifting the deeper layers of tissue and muscle.

Before surgery begins, you’ll receive intravenous sedation combined with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Dr. Sundine will carefully mark incision points along the hairline and around the ears. The procedure involves lifting and repositioning the underlying connective tissue and muscle layers and releasing specific facial ligaments to achieve a natural, elevated look. The incisions will be meticulously closed once the deeper facial structures are secured.

Recovery from a Deep Plane Facelift is gradual and should be approached with patience. In the first three weeks, you can expect considerable bruising, swelling, and some discomfort. Most patients must take at least two weeks off from work and refrain from strenuous activity for about six weeks. While most swelling subsides within a few months, mild residual swelling or discoloration can occasionally persist for a year or longer. If you notice anything unusual or have any concerns during your recovery, we encourage you to reach out to our office for guidance.

Secondary Facelift

A secondary facelift, also known as a revision facelift, is performed on patients who have previously undergone a facelift and are seeking to maintain or enhance their results as the natural aging process continues. It can also address issues such as scar visibility, asymmetry, or unsatisfactory outcomes from previous surgery performed elsewhere.

Revision surgery is more complex than a primary facelift, requiring advanced expertise due to scar tissue, altered anatomy, or prior surgical changes. Dr. Sundine is frequently sought for secondary facelifts due to his meticulous approach and deep understanding of facial structures. Whether it’s been 10 years since your last procedure or you’re dissatisfied with earlier results, Dr. Sundine can help restore a refreshed, natural look.

Male Facelift

While men experience many of the same signs of aging as women, such as sagging skin, jowls, and deep folds, they require a different surgical approach to preserve masculine features. A Male Facelift by Dr. Sundine is tailored to enhance rugged jawlines and strong cheek contours while reducing excess skin and softening deep creases.

Dr. Sundine takes special care in preserving natural beard lines and minimizing scarring, which is especially important in male patients due to their shorter hairstyles and denser facial hair. His focus is always on producing a subtle, rejuvenated appearance—never overdone or feminine-looking. Men in their 40s to 70s often benefit greatly from this procedure, especially when combined with neck lift or eyelid surgery for full facial rejuvenation.

Non-Surgical Facelift

For patients not ready for surgery or those looking to maintain their surgical results, Dr. Sundine offers a Non-Surgical Facelift using advanced techniques and injectable treatments. Commonly referred to as a liquid facelift, this minimally invasive procedure combines dermal fillers (like Juvederm®, Restylane®) and neuromodulators (like Botox®) to lift, contour, and smooth the face without incisions or downtime.

Non-surgical facelifts are ideal for younger patients or those with early signs of aging who want subtle yet noticeable rejuvenation. While not a substitute for surgery, these treatments can temporarily soften wrinkles, restore lost volume, and improve skin texture. Depending on the products used, results typically last 6–18 months.

What Are The Benefits

Of Facelift?

Some of the many benefits our Newport Beach patients have seen from their Facelift surgeries include:

  • Eliminates the double chin
  • Gets rid of deep creases
  • Good for adults of any age
  • Helps you lose jowls (sagging, loose skin below the jawline)
  • Natural look
  • Reduces deep wrinkles
  • Improves facial sagging
  • Targets many signs of aging in one step
  • Tighter and more redefined face and neck
  • Works on both women and men

Who are the Best Candidates

For Facelift?

These procedures are typically performed on patients in their 50s and 60s, but no particular age restriction exists. The patient must be in good general overall health, and any underlying medical conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus, should be under control. All patients require clearance from their primary care physician to ensure that it is safe for them to undergo the procedure.

Other good characteristics to have if you’d like to be a viable candidate for a Facelift in the Orange County area include:

  • Patients who have facial wrinkles and skin laxity
  • People who have developed deep nasolabial creases (the crease between the base of the nose and the corners of the mouth), downturned corners of their mouths, and marionette lines (the crease running downward from the corners of the mouth to the chin)
  • Patients who have developed jowls
  • People who have vertical bands in their necks or who have a poorly defined neckline
  • Patients who have a tired appearance
  • The patient must be in good general overall health. Any underlying medical conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus, should be under control.
woman laying down -- facelift -- Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Sundine

What’s The First Step?

If you are looking into a Facelift in Newport Beach or Orange County, your first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Sundine. When you come into our office for this appointment, you will be able to ask any questions you may have and have your face examined by Dr. Sundine. He will discuss the options available and techniques he will use, and if you agree with the direction he wants to go, he will create your surgical plan. Once your plan is made, our Patient Coordinator will help you schedule your procedure date.

This is performed on an outpatient basis in a fully accredited outpatient surgery center. We recommend that patients go to an aftercare facility for the first evening following the procedure, since the care is usually more than a spouse or friend can provide.

We can recommend recovery facilities or even home nursing care if you require this in the period around the operation.

What to Expect on the Day of Facelift

The procedure is done at a plastic surgery center under either general or local anesthesia. Our center only utilizes board-certified anesthesiologists for our patients.

In our experience, no two rhytidectomies are the same, and the procedure is customized to the patient’s needs. Some components are the same in all patients. The procedure starts with making incisions in or at the hairline and around the ear. The incisions are designed for minimal visibility after the procedure.

The skin is then elevated from the underlying fat in the cheeks and the neck. Dr. Sundine will then elevate the underlying facial tissues called the SMAS to allow us to reposition the facial fat. The SMAS flap has several effects: it repositions the soft tissues back up over the cheekbones, it repositions the jowl back up into the cheek, it provides hammock support to the neck, it allows for less tension to be placed on the skin giving fine line scars, and it provides for longevity of the lift.

The neck can be addressed after the SMAS flap has been sewn into position. If there is excess fat in the neck, it may be removed with liposuction or direct excision. If there are bands in the neck, the muscles responsible for the bands may be divided or sutured together. Two drains are placed, and the skin is then tailored and sutured back together. We do not use bandages because we are concerned that the pressure from the dressing may compromise the blood supply to the skin.

A facelift in Newport Beach takes four to five hours. If more extensive procedures are performed, this may add additional time. In rare cases, performing the procedure in multiple stages may be necessary.

Dr. Sundine getting ready for surgery

Facelift

Recovery

Patients go to the aftercare facility directly from the surgical center. They are observed overnight and then brought to the office the following afternoon. Patients generally only need minimal pain medication after their procedure, which Dr. Sundine will prescribe to you. In most patients, the drains are removed at that office visit.

You can expect to return to your regular schedule in about a week, although sun exposure should be limited for several months after surgery. Your new face needs about three weeks to heal fully. Some small facelift scars are unavoidable but are usually completely hidden and continue to fade over time. There will be some bruising and swelling following the surgery. This is usually gone by about 10 days following the procedure. We advise patients to plan two weeks of social downtime following the procedure. Patients can return to some light activity even on the first day following the operation. We encourage them to go for light walks. They may go up and down. They may resume complete activities at three weeks following the procedure.

We typically see the patients on postoperative days 3, 5, 7, and 10. On postoperative day 7, the sutures around the ear are removed; on postoperative day 10, the sutures at the hairline are removed.

Patients can expect some bruising and swelling following the procedure. Bruising is common in the areas near the outer corners of the eyes (because the skin is fragile) and at the lowest point of dissection in the neck. The vast majority of the bruising is gone by about the 10th postoperative day.

For any post-operative problems, telephone: Dr. Sundine at 949-706-3100 (office)

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Newport Beach?

Financing

The cost of a facelift in Newport Beach varies depending on the complexity of your procedure, the techniques used, and whether it is combined with other surgeries such as a neck lift, eyelid lift, or fat grafting. On average, a facelift by Dr. Sundine ranges between $10,000 and $50,000 or more, depending on the technique (such as a mini-lift compared to a deep plane facelift). This price also includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, facility fees, and all follow-up care

Financing options may be available for those who qualify, and our patient coordinator can assist you with payment plans during your consultation.

Why Choose Dr. Sundine?

Michael J. Sundine, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.P., is a renowned facial plastic surgeon who offers a range of aesthetic procedures and reconstructive surgery options to help patients turn back the clock. In addition to specializing in facelift surgery, Dr. Sundine is a top Newport Beach rhinoplasty and chin augmentation surgeon. In Orange County, he also performs procedures for upper facial features, such as brow lift and eyelid surgery.

As one of Newport Beach’s premier facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Sundine was voted an Orange County “Physician of Excellence” by the Orange County Medical Association 19 times since he began practicing in Orange County. He has also been featured in Los Angeles Magazine as a Southern California Super Doctor for Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Sundine is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and an active American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) member.

Dr. Sundine – Published Facelift Author

Dr. Sundine is a published author on facial rejuvenation. Dr. Michael Sundine and Dr. Bruce Connell co-authored the book >Aesthetic Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck. It discusses the latest facelift trends and other aesthetic rejuvenation techniques commonly used for facelift surgery. He also has many peer-reviewed journal publications regarding facial rejuvenation. Dr. Sundine has also lectured nationally and internationally on facelifting.

Published Author -- Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Sundine

Schedule Your Consultation

His patients know Dr. Sundine as the Best Orange County Facelift surgeon. To schedule a consultation and learn more about this procedure, contact the office of Dr. Sundine today at 949-706-3100 and set up your appointment.

Schedule A Consultation

Facelift FAQs

Your procedure questions answered.

Facelift Aftercare Instructions

Real Patients

Real Reviews

What I really like about Dr. Sundine is his vast experience and training. I also like the fact he did not try to sell me other procedures. He is also very down to earth and easy to talk to. I am very satisfied with the results and I highly recommend him.

After much research and multiple visits to other surgeons, I knew right away that Dr. Sundine was the perfect choice for me. I felt completely confident in his ability from the first visit to the last. I have been singing his praises to all of my friends and will recommend him to anyone searching for a plastic surgeon. Thanks, Dr. Sundine

Dr. Sundine is an excellent plastic surgeon! I have been using his services for almost 5 years. If you want to look years younger and fully refreshed I highly recommend that you use his services. Patients walk out looking naturally gorgeous, not overdone like some of the women in Orange County!

Dr. Sundine is the best plastic surgeon. Dr. Sundine’s excellent skills and knowledge has made my surgery turn out so well. But more importantly, it made me feel better about myself. Again, thank you Dr. Sundine for all you have done for me. You are the best surgeon!

I gave Dr. Sundine the highest possible review in each category because he truly deserved the highest reviews on every level. I am a very well recognized lawyer on the West Coast. My firm has spent millions of dollars on television advertising in which I appear. I could not afford to have a bad facelift or even for people to notice I had a facelift at all. I interviewed many physicians including some of the “celebrity” physicians. Ultimately, I chose Dr. Sundine.