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What Is A Facelift?

Your facelift surgery, or Rhytidectomy, will tighten skin and reduce the appearance of problem areas. Depending on what areas you desire to address, you may choose either a mini-facelift, a full facelift, or a midface lift. Where a mini-facelift helps to reduce less moderate wrinkles and areas of sagging skin, a full facelift tightens the entire face. The midface lift, a newer method, focuses on the mid-section of your face and avoids any refiguring of the neck area. No matter which type of facelift you choose, underlying tissue will be repositioned. Lifting the deeper layers of the face and muscle tissue, Dr. Birely will create a new look for your face. During surgery, your skin will be re-draped over the new lifted contours. Any excess skin is trimmed away, leaving you with your final results. Being one of the most advanced providers of facelift surgery in Baltimore, patients routinely achieve excellent results with this procedure.


What to Expect During a Facelift

To perform a traditional full facelift, Dr. Birely will create incisions within your hairline that continue behind your ears. Your facial skin and underlying facial muscles will be adjusted to a youthful, very natural position, smoothing lines, wrinkles, and folds, removing saggy jowls, and creating beautiful definition to the jawline.

Depending upon what is needed, he may redistribute subcutaneous fat, to create a fresh look by filling hollow or gaunt facial areas, restoring lost volume and fullness. It is possible to further enhance cheeks or other facial zones with natural fat transfer, which uses liposuction to harvest fat from another area of the body which is purified and selectively injected to create natural, youthful volume in cheeks, temples, or other sunken facial areas. Once the tissue has been repositioned, and the facial muscles tightened, excess tissue is trimmed, and the incisions are carefully closed with tiny sutures.


Discretely Creating a Younger Version of You

Dr. Birely is a board-certified plastic surgeon known for his precision and expertise. This is due to several things; years of specialized training in facial plastic surgery techniques, the mind of a perfectionist, exceptional manual dexterity, and his passion for the art of plastic surgery. Once you have decided to seek facial rejuvenation, there are always many questions concerning the procedure, the recovery process, and most importantly, the final result. Many of Dr. Birely’s patients share that they dread looking ‘done’ or having a pulled tight look following surgery like some celebrities who had old style facelifts. Facial plastic surgery has enjoyed great advances over the past decades including new methods of lifting, tightening, and redistributing facial fat. Dr. Birely believes the goal of cosmetic surgery is to create a younger version of each patient, retaining what is unique while removing those things that detract from the overall balance and beauty of the face.

Old techniques that simply pulled surface skin tight, trimmed the excess, and closed the incision produced unnatural-looking results that still cause concern in some people. Facelift surgeons do vary in their ability to create flawless and discreet results. Dr. Birely advises anyone considering a facial procedure is be very thorough in choosing their surgeon for a facelift in Baltimore.

View Our Facelift Before & After Gallery


In most cases, the surest testament to a surgeon’s skill is the visual result. Within our gallery, you’ll find many such testaments, allowing you to further decide if Dr. Birely is the right choice for you.

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Will I Have Scars Following My Facelift?

As with any surgery incisions, a facelift creates scars. Your incisions are discreetly placed along the hairline, where they will blend and fade as your skin heals. Dr. Birely will use very small sutures, and the incision sites will be virtually invisible once healed.

It is imperative that you use a quality sunscreen following your facelift surgery. This will help to prevent further sun damage and protect against darkening at the incision sites.

Caring for your skin after a facelift will prolong the results. We will advise you on how to best care for your facial skin to maintain your youthful, fresh look.

Why Should I Choose Dr. Birely For My Facelift?

Dr. Brent Birely is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than two decades of experience in facial surgery and is recognized for achieving excellent, natural-looking results. The cornerstone of his practice is honesty and integrity. This means he will never recommend a procedure that he doesn’t feel will benefit you, or pressure you to have a procedure. He is honest and open about the results you can expect and takes all the time needed to answer your questions and concerns.

Dr. Birely approaches each facelift from a position of knowledge and artistry. He uses state-of-the-art techniques while relying on his decades of experience to breathe new life into your face and create the natural-looking results that bring out the best in your features.

What Kind Of Results Can I Expect From A Facelift?

A facelift provides long-lasting, natural results for smoothing your facial skin, taking years off your appearance. You will look fresh, rested, and youthful, with creases, lines, and jowls smoothed. Your face will look revitalized and fresh, and years younger. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing you are looking your best. Our patients tell us the boost in confidence is one of the greatest benefits of the procedure.

How Long Will My Facelift Results Last?

The results of your facelift are lasting – typically at least fifteen years, or longer if you properly care for your skin. Less extensive facelift procedures (a mini facelift) will have results that last two to five years. As you age, your skin will continue to age as well. The best way to help prevent further signs of aging is to use a quality skincare routine, avoid smoking or excess alcohol consumption, and protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Combining Procedures Produces Spectacular Results

A facelift addresses the issue of sagging skin and facial muscles in the mid face and neck area as well as the deep folds that form from nose to mouth. A facelift procedure does not directly deal with the loss of volume in the cheeks, fine lines, wrinkles, or other areas. Many patients include a brow lift or eyelid surgery if needed as well as skin treatments such as laser resurfacing or a chemical peel.

The advantage of combining procedures is that recovery is not much longer for several procedures done at once which makes it easier to schedule time from work and arrange for home help. Also, patients will only need to have anesthesia once which removes some of the risks of surgery.

Dr. Birely consistently provides beautiful, natural-looking results with facelift surgery in Baltimore. His minute attention to detail combined with his artistic perception sets him apart as evidenced by his spectacular results. As a prominent facelift surgeon, he can give you back a refreshed and youthful version of yourself that you can be proud of.

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What You Can Expect During a Facelift Consultation with Baltimore Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Birely

Once you have considered a facelift procedure, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Birely. During your consultation, you will discuss your candidacy, the possibilities, and the results of a facelift surgery. Potential patients should avoid smoking before their procedure as well as inform Dr. Birely of any previous or current medical conditions that might impair healing or require more deliberate care during surgery. Your consultation can help you determine and understand your desires and how a facelift procedure can best achieve those specific desires. You will receive information about recovery, the surgery, and other important aspects of your decision.

What Can I Expect From My Facelift Recovery?

The recovery period for facelifts vary. Mini facelifts, for example, have shorter recoveries than full facelifts. No matter your individual surgery, however, you can expect some consistency in your recovery. When your procedure is completed, a bandage could gently be placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising. A thin tube may also be present to drain any excess blood, or fluid that may collect under the skin. During your recovery you will be given instructions.

These instructions include: how to care for the surgical site, medications to aid healing and reduce risk of infections, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in overall health, and when to follow up with Dr. Birely. As bruising disappears, you can expect to see a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance! It is important to note that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, even after your recovery period, will help make your results longer lasting.

410.346.5246

Dr. Brent Birely is a board-certified plastic surgeon with offices in Lutherville and Bel Air, serving patients from Baltimore, Towson, Columbia, Westminster, and other Maryland cities. He is a very well regarded leader in cosmetic surgery and patient safety, and specializes in procedures including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, facelift, and body lifting procedures after weight loss.

*The content/images on this website are not a guarantee of individual results. Individual results may vary. The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only and does not replace the need for a formal consultation with a plastic and reconstructive surgeon before undergoing a surgical procedure or skin care treatment.

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 410.346.5246.
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