The facelift is a well-known facial plastic surgery procedure that is performed to reduce signs of aging in the mid- to lower face. Common cosmetic concerns best treated by a facelift include sagging skin, jowls, deep facial folds and wrinkles. Dr. Kolder has years of experience in facial plastic surgery and can perform a facelift for men and women throughout Ventura County who are wanting the naturally youthful look they had several years ago.
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Best Candidates for a Facelift
The best candidates for a facelift are men and women in good overall health who want to address visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck. Common concerns include loose or sagging skin, deep creases around the mouth and nose, jowls and excess skin beneath the chin. Ideal patients still have some degree of skin elasticity and strong underlying bone structure, as these features help to create the most natural and long-lasting results.
A facelift is often the most effective option for people who want more significant and longer-lasting rejuvenation than nonsurgical treatments can provide. Candidates should also:
- • Not smoke or be willing to quit before surgery.
- • Be at a healthy, stable weight.
- • Have realistic expectations about their results.
- • Be able to take some time off work and other obligations to recover.
Benefits of a Facelift
A facelift can improve both your appearance and self-confidence. Some of the key benefits of this procedure include:
- • A restored youthful appearance. A facelift smooths sagging skin, reduces deep wrinkles and lifts drooping facial features for a refreshed look.
- • Improved jawline definition. By tightening skin and underlying tissues, a facelift can better-define the jawline and improve the appearance of jowls.
- • Ability to address multiple trouble spots at once. A facelift can correct sagging, deep folds and volume changes in a single procedure.
- • Natural-looking results. Modern facelift techniques focus on repositioning underlying tissue rather than merely pulling the skin tightly, avoiding an “overdone” look.
- • Long-lasting improvements. Facelift results often last for 10 years or longer with proper care.
- • Boosted confidence and self-esteem. Many of our Camarillo facelift patients report feeling much more confident and comfortable in their own skin afterward.
Facelift Techniques
Dr. Kolder will customize your facelift procedure to best meet your specific needs and goals. Because not everyone will have the same surgical needs, there are various surgical techniques that can be used to achieve those goals.
- • Traditional or full facelift. A full facelift is the most comprehensive option and can address sagging skin, deep creases and jowls throughout the lower face and neck. It typically involves longer incisions and a more extensive recovery than a mini facelift, but it also delivers the most dramatic and longest-lasting results. Dr. Kolder recommends this technique for most facelift patients with moderate to severe sagging and creases.
- • Mini facelift. A mini facelift uses shorter incisions and can achieve a milder lifting effect, particularly around the cheeks and jawline. Because it is less invasive, recovery is usually faster and scarring is more limited with a mini facelift. While the results are more subtle compared to a full facelift, this option can be suitable for younger patients or those with early signs of facial aging who want a refreshed look without the downtime of a full procedure.
Both techniques are designed to produce natural-looking results and can be tailored to your individual needs. Dr. Kolder will discuss each option in more detail during your consultation and help you select the best choice for your individual needs.
Your Facelift Consultation
Your consultation is an opportunity to discuss your goals with Dr. Kolder and to create a customized treatment plan that works well for you. During this appointment, Dr. Kolder will take a close look at your facial anatomy and skin quality to determine the best treatment plan for your facelift surgery. You will be able to ask any questions you may have about facelifts, and Dr. Kolder will explain details such as how to prepare for a facelift, what to expect on surgery day and what recovery will be like. The goal of this appointment is to ensure you leave feeling confident in your ability to make well-informed decisions about your facelift procedure.
Preparing for Your Facelift
As your procedure day approaches, there are some things that you can do to prepare for your procedure and recovery. These things include:
- • Stop smoking, as smoking hinders the body’s ability to heal.
- • Avoid medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatories and certain herbal supplements, as these can make you more prone to bleeding and bruising.
- • Plan to take around 2 weeks off work and other obligations.
- •Arrange for some extra help around the house while you recover.
- • Create a comfortable recovery area at your home where everything will be within your reach.
- • Plan or cook meals in advance for easy preparation.
- • Pick up all post-operative medications before your surgery date.
Dr. Kolder will provide you with detailed pre-op instructions prior to your facelift procedure. If you have any questions about them, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 805-484-2855.
The Facelift Procedure
Your facelift will be performed under general anesthesia at our outpatient fully-accredited ambulatory surgery center. An incision will be made within your natural hairline, beginning near each temple, continuing just in front of your ears and then finishing back by the nape of your neck. From here, Dr. Kolder is able to tighten underlying muscles, remove or reshape the facial tissue to achieve a more youthful and lifted facial structure and reduce excess skin to get rid of any drooping or sagging.
Liposuction may also be performed to eliminate any stubborn facial fat around your chin or neck. When addressing bands in the neck region, an incision is made in the crease under the chin and suture repair is performed. A temporary wrap will often be applied after your surgery to help reduce swelling and any accumulations of fluids under the skin.
This procedure generally takes anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the extent of correction needed and whether or not you choose to include additional procedures with your facelift. You will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first day after facelift surgery.
Complementary Procedures
In many cases, people use the term “facelift” when they are thinking about any cosmetic update to their face. However, a facelift only focuses on the lower half to third of the face. It does not address aging around the eyes or on the brow/forehead. To target these areas, a facelift would need to be combined with eyelid surgery, a brow lift and/or nonsurgical options such as BOTOX Cosmetic. In most cases, Dr. Kolder can perform these procedures in a single surgery to provide you with a full rejuvenation of your face.
At your consultation, Dr. Kolder will review your facial anatomy, discuss your biggest concerns and help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
Recovering from a Facelift
Bruising, swelling and some discomfort is normal following facelift surgery. Your face will likely feel sore and tight for a few days, but pain medications can be used at this time. After about 10 days, you should be able to cover up most surgery signs with makeup until your face fully heals.
Plan to take around 2 weeks off of work and other activities. While light walking is encouraged to promote healthy circulation, you will need to avoid strenuous exercise for about 6 weeks, or until Dr. Kolder clears you to resume normal exercise. You will have a follow-up appointment at our Camarillo office to ensure your recovery is going smoothly.
Facelift Results
You’ll notice an immediate improvement in your appearance after your facelift, although swelling and bruising will mask your initial results. As your face continues to heal over the following weeks and swelling gradually subsides, your results become more refined and noticeable. Most patients will have a good idea of what their results will look like within 4 to 6 weeks, although it can take 6 months or more for final results to fully develop.
Many patients feel they look 10 or more years younger after a facelift, while still maintaining their natural appearance. With proper skincare, sun protection and a healthy lifestyle, your results can last a decade or longer, helping you enjoy your refreshed look for years to come.
Nonsurgical Facelift Alternatives
If you’re not ready for surgery, several nonsurgical treatments can provide noticeable rejuvenation with little to no downtime:
- • PDO threads: A minimally invasive option that lifts and tightens sagging skin with dissolvable sutures.
- • BOTOX® and Dysport®: Neuromodulators that relax facial muscles to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, particularly in the forehead area and around the eyes.
- • Injectable fillers: Restore lost volume in the cheeks and lips and smooth away fine lines and wrinkles.
- • Laser treatments: Improve skin tone, texture and firmness by stimulating collagen production.
Next Steps
For more information about facelift surgery in Ventura County, please contact us online or call our office at 805-484-2855 to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Kolder.
Facelift FAQs
The cost of a facelift in California and elsewhere will vary considerably based on factors like the surgeon’s skill and experience, the extent of your surgery and whether or not you are combining your facelift with another procedure such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery. Dr. Kolder’s staff will provide a complete cost estimate customized for your goals following your consultation visit. We are also pleased to offer several plastic surgery financing options to help make your facelift as affordable and stress-free as possible.
No, facelifts are not typically covered by insurance because they are considered to be elective procedures and not medically necessary.
When first thinking about a facelift, many people ask their friends and family if they have a surgeon they have trusted in the past for a cosmetic procedure. Word of mouth is certainly one way to find a surgeon in your area, but don’t forget to also carefully evaluate any doctor’s medical credentials. For instance, Dr. Kolder is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You should schedule consultations with a few different facelift surgeons, and look at their patient before and after photos both online and in the office to judge the quality of the results they can deliver.
The best time for a facelift is when you feel that how you look no longer matches with your inner age or the image you want to project to the world. This might be in your 30s or 40s, though most facelift patients are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. Dr. Kolder is able to use a variety of different techniques to address cases of milder skin sagging as well as more extensive rejuvenation procedures. In all cases, he strives to deliver a look that compliments your other facial features and looks natural for your age.
Most patients describe facelift recovery as uncomfortable rather than very painful. Tightness, swelling and soreness are common in the first few days, but prescription pain medication can help to manage this. Discomfort usually improves significantly within the first week.
While a facelift is a relatively safe procedure, all surgeries pose potential risks. Some of the possible risks associated with a facelift procedure include complications with anesthesia, facial nerve injury or weakness, bleeding and infection. Before your facelift procedure, Dr. Kolder will go over your full medical history and discuss the procedure process to make sure you understand the possible complications involved with this surgery.
Incisions for your facelift typically begin near the temple and follow the natural hairline or creases in your face. While the incisions may be visible after your procedure, the scars should soften and mature during the months following your procedure. Because they are along the hairline, they are generally not noticeable and can often be covered by your hair.
Facelifts restructure the underlying tissue below the skin, helping to achieve a long-lasting result. That said, gravity and the natural aging process will continue to occur. Most of our patients are very happy with their facelift results even 10+ years after their procedure. Maintaining good skin care and overall health are important things you can do to ensure the longevity of your results.
A “20-minute” facelift is a popular term used to describe nonsurgical facelift alternatives like thread lifts and/or injectables. While not the same as a surgical facelift, these nonsurgical treatments can have anti-aging and skin-rejuvenating effects.
Hot Topics in Facelift Surgery
- • How to Plan for Out-of-Town Plastic Surgery: Traveling to Ventura County for your facelift? Take a look at these tips to make your trip and procedure as smooth as possible.
- • 4 Common Facelift Myths Debunked: Having realistic expectations can help you love your final results – see the truth behind these common facelift myths and misconceptions.
- • How to Get Rid of Jowls, Laugh Lines and Other Mouth Wrinkles: Compare nonsurgical and surgical options like facelift surgery to help you decide the best treatment plan for you.
- • Considering a Facelift after Weight Loss? You’re Not Alone: See why after-weight-loss facial plastic surgery continues to rise in popularity – and how to tell if it could be right for you.
- • The Do’s and Don’ts of a Facelift: Properly prepare for your facelift procedure and recovery with these insider tips.
Additional Resources
Written By: Dr. Daniel G. Kolder
Dr. Daniel G. Kolder is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. As a highly trained plastic surgeon serving Ventura County, he is best-known for his warm, easy manner, compassionate care, and beautiful, natural results.
More about Dr. Daniel G. Kolder | Last Reviewed: October 25th, 2025
Facelift Camarillo CA
Rejuvenate Your Profile with Comprehensive Facial Sculpting
With the passing of time, the shape of the face changes, the skin loses its elasticity, and small fat deposits can appear—ones that dieting and exercising alone can’t solve. Whether you want a more defined chin, a lifted jawline, or smoother facial contours, specialized surgeries can deliver the results you desire.
At our clinic in Camarillo, we combine artistry and precision with procedures such as rhytidectomy (facelift), neck tightening, and fat removal—customized to your unique features and cosmetic goals.
What Each Procedure Offers
1. Facelift & Rhytidectomy
- Tightens sagging skin along the cheeks, jawline, and neck for a youthful look
- Lifts and repositions underlying tissues to restore structure and definition
- Smooths the transition between face and neck, reducing jowls and double chin appearance
2. Neck Lift
- Addresses loose skin, muscle bands, or excess fat beneath the chin
- Enhances jawline clarity and reduces the appearance of creases or rolls in the neck
3. Facial Liposuction
- Targets fat removal in areas like the neck, under the chin, or along the facial-jawline junction
- Sculpts smoother contours beneath the skin
- Often combined with lifts to optimize profile and harmony
Who Makes a Good Candidate
- Individuals in good health, non-smokers, and able to heal well
- Those noticing sagging skin, loss of jawline definition, or disproportionate fat deposits
- People seeking improvement in both appearance and confidence
- Anyone with realistic expectations about surgical outcomes and recovery
Recovery & What to Expect
- Initial swelling, bruising, and tightness for 1–2 weeks, gradually improving
- Most patients return to social or work activities within 10–14 days, depending on the procedure
- Scars placed in discreet or natural folds typically fade over time with proper care
- Follow-up appointments ensure proper healing, comfort, and symmetry
Whether you are looking for a Facelift, Neck Lift, Nose Job, Rhinoplasty, or Liposuction in Camarillo, our team is the perfect fit. We bring expertise, empathy, and trust-based care to help you reveal the youth, confidence, and harmony you feel inside.