Facelift
in scottsdale, AZ

Dr. Jude LaBarbera is a board-certified expert in facelift procedures. He has helped thousands of patients in Scottsdale improve their appearance and restore confidence. Maintaining a youthful face is a common desire, but factors like aging, stress, and environmental influences can affect our facial features. This may lead to wrinkles, jowls, sagging skin, and a “turkey neck.” Facelift procedures address these signs of aging and help patients look refreshed and youthful every day. We use the latest techniques to achieve stunning results that last for 10+ years with proper care.

Table of Contents

What Is a Facelift?

Types of Facelift

Our Facelift Technique

Initial Consultation With Dr. Labarbera

Facelift Procedure

Add-On Procedures

Recovery After Facelift Surgery

Ideal Candidates for Facelift

Benefits of Facelift

Cost of Facelift in Scottsdale, AZ

What Makes Our Facelifts Different From Others?

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that creates a more youthful appearance in a patient’s face. With Dr. LaBarbera, a neck lift is always included with the facelift. He makes incisions around the hairline and behind the ears to tighten the skin and muscles of the face. A standard surgery requires 2-4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia.

Facelift targets visible signs of facial aging, including:

A facelift is the best way to restore youthful facial contours. It offers more significant results than conventional anti-aging treatments. Dr. Jude LaBarbera has helped numerous women and men in Scottsdale achieve impressive transformations.

Types of Facelift

Full Facelift

This procedure provides cosmetic improvements in the lower and middle parts of the face. Dr. LaBarbera makes an incision along the hairline and behind the ear. The skin is then lifted towards the center of the face and re-draped. This method is ideal for those seeking significant anti-aging benefits and is commonly recommended for women aged 45 and older who desire substantial facial enhancements.

Mini Facelift

A Mini facelift, also known as a short-scar facelift, involves smaller incisions and is designed to improve the lower face area. While this option is popular among patients due to its less invasive nature, it is not suitable for addressing moderate or severe sagging. Nevertheless, a mini facelift procedure may benefit people who need minor corrections.

Our Facelift Technique

Dr. LaBarbera performs superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) facelifts, which target the deeper muscular layers of the face. During an SMAS facelift, an incision is made along the hairline and behind the ears. The surgeon then lifts and tightens the SMAS layer and the overlying skin to smooth wrinkles and sagging.

SMAS facelift is an advanced technique that creates a more natural, youthful appearance that lasts longer than traditional procedures. Although it requires a longer surgery and recovery time, many patients choose the SMAS facelift because it achieves more dramatic facial rejuvenation by addressing the deeper structures of the face. In addition, it is less invasive than a deep plane facelift but provides similar results.

Initial Consultation With Dr. Labarbera

The approach to facelift surgery varies based on the patient’s facial anatomy and condition. Therefore, it is important to schedule a consultation with Dr. LaBarbera to discuss all details. The surgeon analyzes the patient’s medical history and determines if they are in good health for this operation.

Leading up to the surgery date, facelift patients need to:

Avoid certain medications that could interfere with anesthesia or increase bleeding risks
Plan a ride home from the surgical center
Have someone (a family member, friend, or caretaker) to help during the first 1-2 days of recovery
Stop smoking 4 weeks before surgery
Follow the restrictions on eating and drinking the night before the facelift

Facelift Procedure

General Anesthesia

Before the operation, our anesthesiologist administers general anesthesia. This puts the patient in a sleep-like state where they do not feel or remember anything. We always strive to maximize comfort and prevent any type of pain.

Incisions

Incision placement depends on the specific technique used by Dr. LaBarbera. He can make small cuts in the hairline at the temples, behind the earlobes, or in front of the ears. This allows the skin to be separated from the underlying tissues to be precisely tightened and contoured during the facelift. The incisions are placed strategically within the natural creases and contours of the face to help conceal the scarring.

Tightening Sagging Skin

Dr. LaBarbera lifts the skin to reach the underlying layers. The connective tissues in the face are tightened with sutures, and excess skin is removed.

Removal/Redistribution of Excess Fat

In some cases, underlying fat is eliminated or redistributed to recontour the shape of the face. This is done via power-assisted liposuction – using a small vibrating cannula to break down fat deposits.

Muscle Repair (Optional)

Dr. LaBarbera may manipulate facial muscles to achieve a more youthful and lifted appearance. This involves tightening, repositioning, or removing excess muscle tissue in specific areas.

Redraping

After completing all other procedures, the surgeon redrapes the skin over the new contours. Any excess skin is trimmed away.

Closing Incisions

Once the tissues have been tightened and contoured, the surgeon closes the incisions with sutures or surgical tape. Over time, the scars fade and become almost invisible.

View Our Facelift
Results

Add-On Procedures

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a facial plastic surgery that improves the appearance of the upper or lower eyelids. During this operation, excess skin, muscle, and fat are removed or repositioned... to smooth the area around the eyes. It can help eliminate under-eye bags, drooping eyelids, and puffiness that make a person look tired or sad. Therefore, blepharoplasty may significantly improve facial rejuvenation results after a facelift.

Brow Lift

A brow lift is a cosmetic procedure that aims to smooth deep furrows across the forehead and raise drooping eyebrows. During this facial surgery, Dr. LaBarbera makes small incisions along the natural creases of the forehead... Muscle and soft tissue are repositioned, while excess skin is removed to minimize wrinkles, frown lines, and other signs of aging in that area. Patients can expect some swelling and bruising after surgery, but results may last up to 10 years. A brow lift creates a more refreshed, alert, and youthful facial appearance.

Recovery After  
Facelift Surgery

Recovery from a facelift takes time, so patients must be prepared for the healing process. Swelling and bruising are common and peak at around  2 days after surgery. These symptoms usually subside within 2 weeks  but may persist for a month or more. Pain medication can help manage discomfort during the recovery period. Patients should avoid strenuous activity for at least 3-4 weeks.

Most people can return to work within 7-10 days, depending on the nature of their job. Complete healing and final results of a facelift take anywhere from 6-12 months. Patients must follow Dr. LaBarbera’s instructions carefully. Getting adequate rest, having a healthy diet, and allowing the body enough time to heal may lead to smoother recovery after a facelift.

Ideal Candidates for Facelift

Facelifts are becoming highly popular due to the growing awareness of their benefits. According to a recent study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number  of these procedures has increased by 8% between 2022 and 2023. This means that more and more people each year want to rejuvenate their facial appearance.

Dr. LaBarbera may recommend a facelift if the candidate has:

Good overall health (no severe conditions that could increase surgical risks)
Realistic expectations
Drooping or sagging in the mid-face region
Deep creases or wrinkles below the lower eyelids
A sunken or hollow look due to tissue loss
Prominent wrinkles or folds extending from the nose to the mouth
Jowls in the lower face
A double chin
A "turkey neck"

During the initial consultation, Dr. LaBarbera evaluates the patient’s condition to determine if they are a good candidate for a facelift. This meeting also provides an excellent opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns before deciding to proceed with the surgery.

Benefits of Facelift

Helps to Counteract
the Aging Process

A facelift can help rejuvenate facial skin that has begun to sag or wrinkle due to natural aging. By tightening and smoothing the tissues, this surgery creates a more youthful appearance.

Improves Facial
Contours

A facelift may help refine facial contours that have become less defined. It can enhance the jawline, reduce jowls, and address volume loss in certain areas. Our facelift surgeon uses the latest techniques to make patients look beautiful at any age.

Boosts Self-Confidence

Many people report a surge in self-confidence after undergoing this surgery. Smoother skin, a tighter jawline, and an overall more youthful appearance often make patients feel more comfortable and motivated. This renewed confidence may have wide-ranging positive impacts.

Long-Lasting Results

While no plastic surgery stops the aging process, a facelift can provide visible results for a long time after the procedure. Patients may look 5-10 years younger than their actual age for over a decade.

Cost of Facelift
in Scottsdale, AZ

Facelift cost in Scottsdale ranges from $4,000 to $25,000. The main factor influencing the price is the extent of the procedure. Mini facelifts are cheaper than full operations with advanced techniques. The exact price is customized for each patient during a personal consultation because every person ages differently and has unique cosmetic goals.

After thoroughly evaluating the patient’s facial structure, skin type, bone alignment, and expectations, Dr. LaBarbera provides an accurate quote for the total costs. We are always happy to break down fees and answer any financial questions. Our priority is helping patients make informed decisions to achieve their aesthetic goals within their planned budget.

What Makes Our Facelifts Different From Others?

People looking for a facelift will make an excellent decision by choosing our plastic surgery practice. As an expert in full and mini facelift, Dr. LaBarbera utilizes the latest techniques to help patients achieve dramatic yet natural-looking facial rejuvenation. His skill, expertise, and human-focused approach ensure that every person receives individualized treatment to meet their unique goals. As a double-board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. LaBarbera has the experience and talents to reveal our patients’ youthful glow.