Facelift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Pasadena, CA

A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to restore a more youthful appearance by addressing common signs of facial aging, such as sagging skin and fat, and weakened underlying facial structures. ⁽¹⁾

Over time, factors such as gravity, sun exposure, and the stressors of daily life contribute to visible aging. Wrinkles deepen, skin loses elasticity, and facial contours become less defined as tissues shift.

Dr. Caroline Min specializes in natural-looking facelifts that restore a refreshed, more youthful appearance – without looking overdone. As a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 18 years of experience, she brings a meticulous, artistic approach to facial surgery. Her patients are typically seeking a more subtle, refined rejuvenation – looking like the best version of themselves, not someone different or unrecognizable. One of the most common concerns about facial surgery is appearing unnatural or overly tight. Dr. Min believes a natural appearance that is in harmony with your age is always preferable to looking too “done.”

If you are ready to learn more about Dr. Min’s facelift approach, please contact us online. You can also call or text our office at (626) 214-5727. We look forward to hearing from you!

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About Facelifts

When performing a facelift, Dr. Min’s goal is to create a refreshed, natural-looking result. While there are many variations of facelift techniques that are effective, Dr. Min prefers a SMAS facelift. This approach addresses not only the overlying skin but also the deeper SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer—a thin, fibrous network that connects the facial skin and soft tissues to the underlying muscles. By lifting, tightening, and repositioning both layers, Dr. Min can help restore a refreshed, vibrant appearance.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a facelift if you have noticed visible signs of aging, lax skin, jowls, or neck banding. ⁽³⁾

To qualify for a facelift, you should be in good general health and have realistic expectations regarding the results of your procedure. You should also be nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine for an extended period of time. Dr. Min will finalize your candidacy for a facelift during your consultation.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Min will meet with you to discuss the details of your procedure. She will explain to you what a facelift is, what this procedure can address, as well as its limitations and benefits. She will also ask you about your medical history, concerns, and desired outcomes. After performing a physical evaluation to assess your facial anatomy and skin quality, Dr. Min will use the collected information to determine whether a facelift is right for you.

To schedule your consultation, contact us online or call/text (626) 214-5727.

Preparation

Dr. Min will let you know how you can prepare for your facelift. Steps often include:

Medication Management: Avoid medications and supplements that can thin the blood for a period before and after your procedure, as these may increase the risk of bleeding. If you have high blood pressure, it should be well-controlled prior to surgery.
Arrange Transportation: Dr. Min uses general anesthesia during the procedure, so you will need to have a trusted friend or family member pick you up.
Plan for Rest: You will need to prepare to take a step back from your personal responsibilities and commitments to focus on your recovery.
Fill Your Prescriptions: Pick up any medications that you may need throughout your recovery in advance to make sure you have them ready for when you need them.
Stop Smoking: Cease any nicotine use for a minimum of four weeks before and after your procedure date.

Procedure

Dr. Min performs facelift surgery on an outpatient basis. Most patients receive general anesthesia and will go home on the same day as the procedure with a follow-up appointment scheduled for the following day. You may also elect to stay overnight in an aftercare facility where a nurse will monitor your recovery progress step by step.

Recovery

After your facelift, it’s important to take time away from your usual routine to rest and heal. Most patients are able to return to regular daily activities within approximately two weeks. However, strenuous exercise and physically demanding tasks should be avoided until Dr. Min advises that it is safe to resume them.

During the recovery period, you can expect some swelling, bruising, and tenderness. These are normal and will gradually improve on their own over the next few weeks.

Results

You will be able to enjoy the results of your facelift once you have fully recovered and any residual swelling subsides. While your results may vary, you can expect tighter, smoother skin, reduced jowling, and improvements in your neck and facial definition—each of which contributes to a more youthful-looking appearance overall.

The results of your facelift will be long-lasting, with effects that last approximately 10 years. However, you will continue to experience the natural effects of aging.

Cost of a Facelift in Pasadena and Los Angeles

The cost of your facelift will vary depending on certain aspects of your treatment plan, such as the extent of your corrections and their complexity. Once Dr. Min has met with you and discussed your goals, she will provide you with a cost estimate.

To learn more about how we price our services, please schedule a consultation online. Alternatively, you may call or text the office at (626) 214-5727.

FAQ

How will I know if I am a good candidate for a facelift?

A facelift may be right for you if you are experiencing loose or drooping tissue in your face and neck, do not smoke, and are in good general health. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars, may not be eligible for the procedure.

What is the best age to receive a facelift?

Dr. Min most often performs facelifts for patients who are in their 40s–60s, but those in their 70s or 80s may also receive a facelift as long as they are in good health. Everyone ages differently, so the right time to undergo a facelift depends on your appearance and specific needs.

Which parts of my face will a facelift address?

This procedure will significantly improve the appearance of your cheeks, lower face, jawline, and neck. It will not address your eyes, forehead, or lips, but Dr. Min can combine it with an eyelid or browlift if necessary.

What is the difference between a mini facelift and a full facelift?

Dr. Min primarily performs mini-facelifts on younger patients with less skin laxity across their face and neck. The incisions are typically shorter, but the procedure itself is more limited. On the other hand, a full facelift comprehensively addresses visible signs of aging in the lower and mid-face regions.

What is the difference between a neck lift and a facelift?

A facelift is designed to address signs of aging in the mid- to lower face, such as sagging skin, deep folds, and loss of definition along the jawline. A neck lift, on the other hand, focuses specifically on the neck, improving loose skin, excess fat, and muscle banding to create a smoother, more defined neckline without lifting the face. Because the face and neck typically age together, a facelift is often performed in combination with a neck lift to achieve the most balanced and natural-looking result. While these procedures can be performed separately in patients with more isolated concerns, this is less common.

Where are the incisions placed?

The incisions are placed in discreet locations to ensure they are as unnoticeable as possible. They typically extend under the sideburn, in the crease in front of and behind the ear, and along the posterior hairline.

Will I look unnatural after my facelift?

Your facelift will give you a more youthful-looking appearance that looks and feels just like you, but better. Your results will look natural and avoid the overtight, operated-on appearance that others tend to notice.

What is the recovery after a facelift surgery like?

You will initially experience some bruising and swelling. Dr. Min will remove your drains after one to two days, and then she will remove your stitches after one week. While your recovery will not be painful, you may feel a tightness in your lower face and neck that will improve with time. Most patients typically need about two weeks to recover.

How long do the results of a facelift last?

The results of your facelift are long-lasting, but not permanent, as the natural aging process continues over time. However, you will maintain a more youthful appearance and continue to look better than if you had not undergone the procedure.

Are there any possible complications?

Complications are uncommon but may include bleeding, infection, temporary or permanent nerve injury, numbness around the ears, and skin slough.

I do not think that I am ready for surgery yet. What are my alternatives?

If you are not ready for your facelift, you can consider treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, fat grafting, microneedling, and laser procedures. These are less costly and invasive, but will not improve your appearance as much as surgical intervention can.

References

Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/
Joshi K, Hohman MH, Seiger E. SMAS Plication Facelift. Nih.gov. Published March 2023. Accessed February 17, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531458/#article-21531.s9
del Toro E, Aldrich J. Extended SMAS Facelift. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562296/

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Pasadena CA