(713) 321-2424
Consultation
Rejuvenate and Revitalize
As the face ages, skin begins to loosen, deeper support systems shift, and the jawline and neck can lose definition. Facelift and Neck lift surgery is designed to address those changes by lifting underlying tissues, removing excess skin, and restoring smoother, more youthful contours in a way that looks and feels natural. At Face Forward Houston, double-board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Regina Rodman offers facelifts in Houston using advanced techniques tailored to your anatomy and goals, including the deep plane facelift. Dr. Rodman adapts each treatment plan based on your concerns and her expert opinion. Your consultation is the first step toward a thoughtful, personalized plan for natural-looking facial rejuvenation.
40s-60s
10-14 Days
10-20 Years
Facelift Before & After Photos
Swipe To Next
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that refreshes the neck, lower face, jawline, and midface (cheeks). The title “facelift” can be misleading; the real goal of a facelift is to restore the contours of the lower face and neck. Over time, the deeper support structures beneath the skin begin to loosen, which can lead to jowling, excess skin, heaviness under the chin, and loss of definition along the jawline and neck. Dr. Rodman’s deep-plane facelift technique removes neck heaviness and sagging and restores definition to the jawline and chin. Many patients choose to have a brow lift and/or blepharoplasty, also known as an “upper face lift” or “eyelid lift” at the same time as a facelift for a full face rejuvenation, but the target of a facelift is the neck, jawline, lower face, and cheeks. Face and neck lifts tightens drooping muscles and fat pads to restore volume to the midface while removing excess skin for a smoother, firmer, more refreshed appearance. The goal is not to change the way you look, but to restore a more youthful version of you.
What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?
With a facelift Houston patients can do more than tighten skin. It can restore definition to the jawline, remove excess fat and heaviness under the chin and jaw, and restore volume in the midface. A facelift and necklift will help you look more like yourself again, just more rested and refreshed. For many women and men, the biggest benefit is seeing a reflection that feels more aligned with their energy and confidence.
The best facelift candidates are typically in good overall health, at a stable weight, and prepared for both surgery and recovery. Patients cannot smoke or use nicotine products because nicotine blocks healthy circulation and slows healing. Just as important is having thoughtful expectations and a clear sense of what you would like to improve, whether that is softening jowls, refining the jawline, or addressing changes in the neck that no longer respond to non-surgical care.
Patients who have a heavy neck, double chin, or lack of definition in the chin and jaw due to genetics may be candidates for the Forward Lift. This procedure is a deep-plane neck lift only, often accompanied by a chin augmentation and/or a jaw augmentation. This procedure is for patients in their 20s and 30s who have always had a heavy neck and fullness under their chin, even when at a healthy weight. For these young patients, the fullness in the neck is not from aging. The Forward Lift neck lift addresses the deep fat, muscles, and salivary glands to restructure the neck. The result is a better definition of the chin, jawline, and contour of the neck.
Most patients in their 30s are not yet ready for a full facelift, though some may be depending on their genetics and anatomy. Most patients in their 30s who wish to slow aging are excellent candidates for a mini lift with Renuvion if they are beginning to notice early jowling, mild laxity, or changes that feel out of step with the way they feel. In this age range, strong skin quality and good elasticity often allow for subtle, elegant improvement.
For many patients, the 40s are when facial aging becomes more difficult to overlook. The jawline may begin to softening, the neck can lose definition, and heaviness through the lower face may become more noticeable. Depending on your anatomy and goals, this may be the right time to consider a facelift. Depending on each patient’s anatomy and concerns, patients may be able to get results with a mini facelift or neck lift alone. Facelifts done in a patient’s 40s often have the best and most long-lasting results, because the quality of the patient’s skin is still very good.
Patients in their 50s are often especially well-suited for facelift surgery, as the signs of aging are usually more established while the tissues can still respond beautifully to surgical repositioning. At this stage, a facelift will offer meaningful refinement through the neck, lower face, jawline, and cheeks. Patients who have cared for their skin can also expect beautiful, natural results with a facelift. At this age, the deeper tissues of the face respond well to repositioning, and skin that is still elastic and plump gives long-lasting rejuvenation.
Many patients in their 60s and 70s remain strong candidates for facelift surgery, provided they are healthy enough for the procedure. In this age range, treatment is often more comprehensive, with the goal of restoring contours of the neck, definition to the lower face and jawline, while also restoring volume and softness to the cheeks and midface. By lifting the deeper tissues of the face and neck, the restoration brings back youth in a way that still feels natural and true to you. In some cases, combining a facelift with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, or fat grafting can create a more harmonious result.
What Does a Facelift Address?
For our patients in Houston facelift is designed to treat the changes that tend to accumulate through the neck, lower face, jawline, and cheeks as the aging process moves on. For many patients, that means sagging skin and muscles in the neck, loose facial skin, deeper facial folds, and a jawline that no longer feels as defined as it once did. A facelift procedure can also improve heaviness and loose skin in the neck, jowling, drooping in the face and cheeks, all visible signs that make you look more tired or older than you feel.
Because facelift surgery works on the deeper tissues and underlying facial structures, it does more than simply tighten surface skin. Depending on the facelift method, it can lift the SMAS layer, support the underlying tissues, and help restore youthful contours in a way that looks natural. For patients considering a facelift in Houston, this kind of facial rejuvenation is often the most effective way to address moderate to advanced facial aging and create smoother, more refined facial contours.
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Rodman, will tailor your facelift technique to your unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals, selecting the approach that offers the most natural and long-lasting results.
A mini facelift is a minimally invasive solution to address mild to moderate signs of aging in the lower face and jawline, while a SMAS facelift targets more significant sagging and deep wrinkles by tightening underlying muscles and removing excess skin, offering dramatic and long-lasting results.
This advanced technique lifts and repositions deeper facial structures rather than just the skin. It's especially effective for midface sagging and produces a very natural, long-lasting outcome.
| Feature | Mini Facelift / SMAS Facelift | Deep Plane Facelift | Men’s Facelift | Forward Lift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Mild to moderate signs of aging | Moderate to advanced facial aging | Men who want facial rejuvenation with preserved masculine definition | Patients in their 20s and 30s who have always had a heavy neck or lack of chin and jaw definition due to genetics, not aging |
| What It Treats | Mild fullness under chin, early jowling, loose skin, softer jawline | Jowls, deeper folds, midface descent, face and neck laxity | Sagging skin, jowls, neck fullness, loss of lower-face definition | Heavy neck, double chin, lack of jawline and chin definition |
| Technique | Tightens the SMAS layer with a more limited correction | Repositions deeper facial structures for a more comprehensive lift | Customized to male facial anatomy, skin thickness, and beard pattern | Deep neck restructuring removes deep fat, drooping muscles, and glands under the chin and along jaw to improve contour and definition |
| Recovery | 1-2 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Goal | Subtle refresh | More dramatic, natural-looking rejuvenation | Refreshed appearance without softening masculine features | Sharp angle between chin and neck, jawline definition, smooth neck |
What's the Difference?
Patients considering facial rejuvenation often ask about the difference between a traditional facelift and a deep plane facelift. While both procedures are designed to reduce visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck, they differ in surgical technique, longevity of results, and candidacy. Understanding these differences can help patients in Houston make an informed decision about which facelift approach best aligns with their aesthetic goals.
A traditional facelift (also referred to as a SMAS facelift) addresses sagging skin, jowls, and loss of definition along the jawline by tightening the underlying superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and removing excess skin. This technique improves moderate to advanced aging, smooths jowls and loose skin along the jawline, enhances neck contour when combined with a neck lift, and provides natural-looking rejuvenation with a shorter operative time than advanced techniques.
A deep plane facelift is a more advanced facial rejuvenation technique that repositions deeper facial structures beneath the SMAS layer. Rather than relying primarily on skin tightening, this approach lifts the facial muscles and fat pads as a single unit, restoring youthful contours to the midface, jawline, and neck. With this type of facelift Houston patients who have significant facial sagging or volume descent can see more dramatic yet natural-looking results.
Preparation Makes Perfect
The best facelift procedures start with a thoughtful consultation. During this visit, Dr. Rodman will spend time understanding what your concerns are, evaluating your face and neck, and talking through the options that make the most sense for your anatomy and goals to create a customized treatment plan. She will also review your medical history, explain the type of facelift she recommends, and make sure you have realistic expectations about surgery, recovery, and results.
Once your procedure is planned, preparation becomes straightforward. You may be asked to avoid certain medications or supplements, stop nicotine products, complete any needed medical clearance, and arrange for help at home during the first few days of recovery. The goal is to make sure you feel informed, prepared, and fully supported before surgery.
How Is a Facelift Performed?
A facelift is performed as a surgical procedure designed to lift and reposition deeper tissues, refine the jawline, and remove excess skin in a way that looks natural rather than tight. Depending on your age, your anatomy, and your concerns, Dr. Rodman discusses options for rejuvenation tailored for you. Often another procedure, such as a brow lift, skin resurfacing, or eyelid lift, is recommended in combination with a facelift for a complete rejuvenation of the face and neck. On the day of surgery, carefully placed incisions are used to access the underlying tissues and deeper facial structures. Those tissues are lifted and supported, excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is redraped with minimal tension to help create smooth contours and natural-looking results. The exact surgical technique depends on your facial anatomy, skin quality, and the degree of facial aging being addressed.
Facelift recovery can often be supported with a few thoughtful additions. Along with rest, hydration, good nutrition, and careful follow-through on post-op instructions, treatments like lymphatic massage and hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help support the healing process. Dr. Rodman has a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in her office, and this additional therapy is offered complimentary to all facelift patients. These therapies can help reduce swelling and bruising, speed healing, improve scar appearance, and boost energy during the recovery period.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, can be a powerful tool after facelift surgery as it increases the amount of oxygen delivered to healing tissues. That added oxygen may help reduce swelling and bruising, support circulation, and promote healthier tissue repair at a time when the skin and deeper layers are recovering. For patients who want to be especially proactive about healing, Dr. Rodman encourages all facelift patients to take advantage of this complimentary service daily during the post-op period. HBOT can be a great way to support a quicker, smoother, more comfortable recovery.
Following a facelift Houston patients will see an immediate change in the contours of the face and definition of the jawline and neck. Full results are usually seen between 2-6 months, depending on the patient’s age, anatomy, and what procedures were performed. As swelling improves and the deeper tissues settle, the face and neck gradually take on smoother, more youthful contours and a more refreshed facial appearance.
By one month, much of the early swelling and bruising has improved, and most patients look noticeably more refreshed. Some firmness, tightness, or residual swelling is still normal, especially after a more advanced facelift procedure performed on the face and neck. Incisions are healed, but may still appear red at this point.
At three months, facelift results typically look more natural and more settled. The facial skin and underlying tissues have had more time to heal, and improvements in facial contours, loose skin, and deep facial folds are usually easier to appreciate. At this time, the incisions have usually faded to skin tone and are minimally noticeable.
By six months, the healing process is much further along, and tissues have settled. The incisions are barely visible, even when looking closely.
For The Men Who Want To Look Younger
Facelifts are not just for women, and a well-done men’s facelift should never leave you looking overworked or feminine. For men, the goal is to restore a leaner definition through the jawline, remove heaviness in the neck, soften heavier folds, and help the face look more defined and rested without taking away the strength and character that make it masculine. Because male facial anatomy is different, the surgical approach should be too. Thicker skin, heavier tissues, and beard-bearing areas all require careful planning, especially when it comes to incision placement and technique. Dr. Rodman tailors each man’s facelift with those details in mind, creating results that look natural, refreshed, and completely believable.
Better Together
Yes! For our patients in Houston facelift and neck lift are often combined with other procedures to create a more balanced, complete result, especially when aging is showing up in more than one area of the face. While a facelift is excellent for improving jowling, loose skin, and loss of definition through the lower face and neck, it does not address every concern on its own. Pairing it with other treatments can create more harmonious facial rejuvenation and help the final result look more natural and complete.
Common combinations include a brow lift to elevate heaviness in the upper face and brows, a blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift to refresh the eyes, skin resurfacing to eliminate sun damage and wrinkles, and fat grafting to restore facial volume in areas that have become hollow over time. During your consultation, Houston facial plastic surgeon Dr. Rodman will recommend only the procedures that make sense for your anatomy, goals, and recovery, so your treatment plan feels thoughtful rather than excessive.
Many patients achieve their most natural, balanced rejuvenation by combining a facelift with a neck lift. The lower face and neck age together, so treating only one area can sometimes leave an uneven transition—especially at the jawline and under the chin.
A facelift repositions and supports the tissues of the cheeks, jowls, and jawline, while a neck lift refines the neck by tightening underlying muscles (often the platysma) and improving contour beneath the chin. Performed together, the result is a smoother, more cohesive profile from the midface to the neckline.
For some patients, a neck lift alone can improve loose neck skin and banding; however, the face can continue to pull downward over time. This may create fullness or heaviness where the face and neck meet. Combining procedures helps create a cleaner jawline, a more defined cervicomental angle, and a more harmonious, natural-looking rejuvenation.
During your consultation, Dr. Regina Rodman will evaluate your facial anatomy and aging pattern to determine whether a facelift alone, a neck lift alone, or a combined approach will best support your goals.
Cost of a Facelift
The cost of a facelift varies based on the technique used, anesthesia, and the complexity of the procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Rodman will provide a detailed estimate based on your personalized treatment plan. If you would like a ballpark estimate to prepare a budget before your consultation, send photos along with your request for a consultation at the link below.
At Face Forward Houston, our goal is to deliver long-lasting, natural results with transparency and care. We’re happy to discuss financing options and guide you toward the approach that best fits your goals and budget.
Why Choose Dr. Regina Rodman for a Facelift?
Dr. Regina Rodman is a double board-certified facial plastic and craniofacial surgeon who focuses exclusively on the face and neck, giving her a level of specialization that matters in facelift surgery. Her background in ENT surgery, advanced facial plastic surgery, and craniofacial fellowship training gives her a deep understanding of both soft tissue and facial structure, allowing her to create results that look refined, balanced, and natural.
As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Rodman also brings a thoughtful perspective to facial rejuvenation, with an understanding that patients often want to look refreshed, not changed. She completed her residency at the University of Texas, Houston, where she served as chief resident and was named Resident of the Year, and has since earned recognition as a Texas Super Doctor and RealSelf 500 physician for her excellence in patient care and facial plastic surgery.
Still Have Questions About a Facelift?
Our team at Face Forward Houston is here to help you make informed decisions about your facial rejuvenation journey. Explore answers to the most common questions below, or schedule your Houston facelift consultation with Dr. Regina Rodman to discuss your personalized facelift options.
If you are in the process of weight loss, it is best to wait until you are at a weight you can sustain easily and comfortably before surgery. A stable weight helps your surgeon plan more accurately and supports longer-lasting results.
Facelift scars are usually hidden in front of and behind the ears and in the hairline. Their exact placement depends on the technique used, but they are designed to hide in natural contours and shadows of the face so they heal as discreetly as possible.
Not all of them. A facelift improves sagging and deeper folds, but fine lines and skin texture often need other treatments like skin resurfacing or skin care.
Most facelift results last around 10-20 years or longer. A facelift and neck lift set your aging back in time. After a facelift, you will continue to age, but you will always look younger than you would have without surgery.
Schedule Your Houston Plastic Surgery Consultation Today
The Face Forward process starts with a consultation. You will meet with Dr. Rodman (either in the office or via video call) to discuss the result or look you want to achieve. Dr. Rodman will review and educate you about your options and schedule you for the procedure of your choice. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled as necessary. Achieve your look and enjoy the new you! Schedule your consultation for plastic surgery in Houston at Face Forward today.
427 W 20th Street Suite 100, Houston TX 77008
Monday - 9am - 5pm
Tuesday - 9am - 5pm
Wednesday - 9am - 5pm
Thursday - 9am - 5pm
Friday - 7:30am - 3:30pm
