A facelift (rhytidectomy) is one of the most effective procedures for restoring a youthful, refreshed appearance. As we age, skin loses elasticity, facial tissues descend, and jowls or sagging around the neck become more noticeable. Dr. Undavia specializes in facelift surgery that tightens and lifts without creating an “overdone” look — delivering results that are natural, balanced, and long-lasting. At our Marlton, New Jersey office, we perform facelifts to create a more youthful look by smoothing out wrinkles, lines, and sagging jowls. Dr. Undavia, our facial plastic surgeon is known for his cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and treats patients from Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Moorestown, the South Jersey area, and Philadelphia.
Why Choose NJ ENT For Your Facelift Surgery
NJ ENT is a trusted leader for providing all of your facial plastic surgery needs. The NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery team has performed thousands of procedures and has the experience to provide you with exceptional care. We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome.
Meet Dr. Undavia, our award winning, dual-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Dr. Undavia is a nationally recognized facial plastic surgeon known for his natural, balanced results and meticulous approach to both aesthetics and function.
Before and After
We encourage you to view our before-and-after gallery to see real patient transformations. These examples showcase a range of changes, from subtle adjustments to more significant reshaping, always with a focus on natural results. Every patient’s anatomy and goals are unique, and your outcome will be customized for you.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure done to improve the appearance of the face. It involves tightening facial and neck skin, repositioning fat deposits, and in some cases, removing excess fat or tissue. Facelifts can be used to restore volume to the mid-face area that has been lost due to aging or other factors. A facelift procedure is performed under general anesthesia along with local anesthesia also used to help postoperatively.
Facelift vs Mini Facelift vs Neck Lift
Choosing the right lift depends on where laxity shows up (cheeks/jawline vs. neck) and how dramatic or long-lasting you want the change to be. During your consultation, Dr. Undavia will recommend the approach best suited to your needs.
Traditional Facelift
- Comprehensive lifting and tightening of the lower face and neck
- Best for: Moderate–advanced laxity in the mid-to-lower face with banding or fullness under the chin.
- Recovery: Most back to desk work in 10–14 days; swelling continues to improve over 4–6 weeks.
- Longevity: You will always appear 8-12 years younger than your actual age
Mini Facelift
- A less invasive option for younger patients or those with early signs of aging.
- Best for: Mild laxity, good skin quality, earlier aging changes
- Recovery: Most back to desk work in 10–14 days; swelling continues to improve over 4–6 weeks.
- Longevity: You will always appear 3-7 years younger than your actual age
Neck Lift
- Often performed alongside a facelift to tighten loose neck skin and improve contours
- Best for: Turkey neck, platysmal banding, submental fullness—with comparatively good cheek/midface support.
- Recovery: Most back to desk work in 10–14 days; swelling continues to improve over 4–6 weeks.
- Longevity: You will always appear 8-12 years younger than your actual age
Who is a Good Candidate?
You’re likely a good candidate if you have:
When we may recommend waiting or alternatives:
What to Expect During Surgery?
- Outpatient surgery performed under anesthesia
- Incisions hidden around the hairline and natural creases near the ears
- Underlying muscles and tissues tightened for lasting support
- Excess skin removed and repositioned for a youthful, natural contour
Risks of Facelift Surgery
Common and temporary
- Bruising & swelling: Peak days 2–4; improves over 1–2 weeks.
- Tightness, numbness, tingling: Usually resolves over weeks–months.
- Incision redness/itching: Fades as scars mature (6–12 months).
Less common but important:
- Hematoma (blood collection): May need drainage; risk higher in the first 24 hours.
- Infection or delayed healing: More likely with nicotine use or diabetes.
- Skin or hair loss at the incision edge: Rare; linked to smoking/tension.
- Temporary nerve weakness: Lower face/neck branches can be stunned; permanent injury is rare.
- Asymmetry: Can stem from swelling or pre-existing differences; occasionally needs touch-up.
- Scar concerns: Meticulous closure and taping reduce this risk.
- Prolonged swelling, pain: Uncommon and treatable.
- Blood clot/anesthesia complications: Very rare in healthy, optimized patients.
How we reduce risk:
- Thorough consult: Review medical history, meds/supplements, prior procedures.
- Surgical planning: Gentle tissue handling, precise hemostasis, tension-free closure.
- Stop nicotine: Absolutely avoid 4 weeks before and after—critical for healing.
- Med management: Hold blood thinners/NSAIDs/supplements per your prescribing clinician.
- Post-op protocol: Head elevation, cool compresses, activity limits, and scheduled follow-ups in Marlton.
Facelift Recovery
Recovery from facelift surgery can take anywhere from two to four weeks. A pressure dressing is applied in the operating room that is removed the following day. Then, a more breathable dressing is applied that should be worn for about one week. The sutures are removed between days 5-7. Most patients do not complain of pain during the recovery period. Regular visits are scheduled to check on the surgical site and to help avoid any potential complications. During this time, patients may experience some swelling and bruising around the treatment area. It is important to follow all post-operative instructions carefully in order to ensure a safe and comfortable recovery process. A short course of steroids may be prescribed to help to bring the swelling down more quickly. Antibiotics and pain medication are also prescribed. Most patients will require a downtime of 10-14 days.
Facelift Results
After facelift recovery is complete, you should notice an improvement in your facial appearance that will last for many years with proper skin care and sun protection. You can expect to have great results by 30 days, although at 90 days, the results from the facelift are fully achieved. The NJ ENT doctors pride themselves on not producing stretched, pulled back appearances that you often see in Hollywood stars. In fact, the secret to a good facelift is not appearing as if you had any thing done. A facelift procedure often makes a patient look 7-10 years younger along with looking simply more refreshed.
Facelift FAQs
A facelift produces long-lasting results, though no procedure stops the natural aging process. A full facelift typically lasts around 10 years or more, while a mini facelift generally lasts about 5 to 8 years, since it addresses milder, earlier changes. Your results will hold longer with good skin care, sun protection, a stable weight, and not smoking. While your face continues to age naturally over time, most patients look years younger than they would have without surgery and that advantage is essentially permanent.
Facelifts are not meant to alter your facial expressions. It creates a natural, rejuvenated look while maintaining the natural look of your face.
Since incisions are made, facelifts can leave scars that will fade over time. Surgeons also place these incisions in discreet locations.
Yes, men can get facelifts. The techniques may be different depending on the patient’s goals to create more masculine results.
