Facelift in New Jersey & Philadelphia
As we age, facial skin loses elasticity and muscles weaken, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and a tired appearance. A facelift can restore a more youthful look without changing your natural features. Dr. Alisa Yamasaki, a Harvard-trained Facial Plastic Surgeon, provides advanced facelift procedures to patients in New Jersey and Philadelphia. She specializes in deep plane facelifts, which lift underlying tissues and remove excess skin and fat for natural, long-lasting results. Based on your goals, she may also recommend additional treatments to enhance your outcome.
Experience the Excellence of Dr. Yamasaki, Harvard-Trained Facial Plastic Surgeon.
What Is a Facelift (Rhytidectomy)?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a common cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and soft tissue from the face and repositions facial structures that have descended over time. This procedure can also address laxity along the jawline and upper neck to achieve a more youthful look. Often, a facelift is combined with a neck lift to comprehensively rejuvenate the structures of the neck along with the face and jawline.
Benefits of Facelift surgery
Dr. Yamasaki will carefully consider your personal goals to determine the best techniques that will result in the rejuvenation you are looking for. It is common to combine a facelift with fat transfer, neck lift, brow lift and/or eyelid surgery for a comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Undergoing facelift surgery with an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Yamasaki offers numerous benefits:
Key Biological Changes That Contribute to Facial Aging
Aging is a complex biological process that affects every layer of the face—from the bone structure to the skin surface. These changes are gradual but cumulative, and they contribute to the visible signs of facial aging that many people seek to correct with a facelift.
Facial bones, especially in the midface, jawline, and around the eyes, gradually lose volume with age. This resorption alters the structural support of the face, leading to:
- A narrower midface
- Less defined jawline
- More pronounced eye sockets and hollowness
- Hollow cheeks and temples
- Deepened nasolabial folds (lines between the nose and mouth)
- Jowling and volume buildup along the jawline
- Sagging of soft tissues
- Drooping corners of the mouth
- Less defined facial expressions
- Thinner, more fragile skin
- Increased fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduced skin elasticity and resilience
- Uneven pigmentation and age spots
- Coarser skin texture
- Reduced hydration and radiance
Why Understanding Aging Matters?
By recognizing how each layer of the face contributes to visible aging, Dr. Yamasaki can tailor a surgical plan that doesn’t just tighten skin, but also restores volume, repositions tissue, and enhances the underlying structure. This biologically-informed approach helps ensure your facelift results look elegant, youthful, and natural—not stretched or artificial.
Facelift Consultation
Dr. Yamasaki view the consultation as one of the most important aspects of cosmetic surgery. During a consultation, patients meet one-on-one with Dr. Yamasaki in her Princeton, Hillsborough, or Yardley offices to discuss all aspects of the treatment. During this consultation, her objective is to understand your unique goals so she can create a specific and tailored cosmetic plan that is best suited to your needs. There is no “one size fits all” approach, and she carefully considers your individual anatomy to ensure your results are natural and balanced with the overall aesthetic of your face.
Examining Your Medical History
Dr. Yamasaki will review your medical history, current medications, and surgical history to determine if this may impact your facelift candidacy. She will evaluate any potential risk factors you may have, as her top priority is to ensure all patients experience a safe surgery and smooth recovery.
Curating Your Regimen
Dr. Yamasaki will evaluate your facial features and review the specific areas that you are interested in addressing. She will review the potential treatment options and the potential risks and benefits of each approach. She may also take photos at your consultation appointment.
Dr. Yamasaki works collaboratively with patients to determine if a facelift is the best option for your goals and will also discuss any additional procedures that will help you to achieve your desired results.
You won't regret
booking Dr. Yamasaki
“Dr. Yamasaki is incredible. She’s a physician that genuinely cares about her patients. From the moment she stepped in to the room, she was extremely diligent, comforting, and never made me feel rushed. She explained everything in great detail and went above and beyond in our appointment. It was refreshing to be seen by a physician that genuinely cares and is sympathetic to patient issues. If you’re thinking about seeing Dr. Yamasaki or interested in seeing her, don’t think twice. Book an appointment. You won’t regret it.”
Jonathan Harper
The Ideal Candidate for Facelift Surgery
You may be a candidate for a facelift if you have begun to notice signs of facial aging such as soft tissue sagging, volume loss, and skin laxity. A facelift can be a good option for many different types of facial structures, skin types, and skin tones, though patients with good skin elasticity tend to have longer lasting results.
- Healthy with no medical conditions that impact the body’s ability to heal after surgery
- Nonsmoker – smoking increases the risk of complications related to anesthesia as well as postoperative recovery
- A person with realistic expectations of surgery and prepared to undergo the surgical recovery process
A facelift is a highly individualized procedure and depends on the specific needs of each patient. Dr. Yamasaki will discuss this with you during your consultation.
Facelift Preparation in New Jersey & Philadelphia
During your consultation, Dr. Yamasaki provides clear and detailed pre- and post-surgical instructions. Her team will review your medical history, medications, and prior surgeries to determine any lab work or medical checkups that need to be completed prior to surgery. You will also receive guidance regarding the medications and supplements that should be stopped in the 2 weeks prior to surgery as well as any new medications that should be started after surgery. Additional instructions may include:
- Stop smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to your surgery
- Plan your transportation – you must be driven to and from your surgery
- On the night before surgery, you may receive instructions to avoid eating or drinking after midnight.
- On surgery day, avoid wearing contact lenses, jewelry, or makeup
- Wound care and dressing instructions will be provided to you depending on your specific surgery
Before & After Facelift Photos
The Facelift Procedure Explained (Rhytidectomy)
Dr. Yamasaki performs a deep plane facelift, an advanced surgical technique that lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face—not just the skin. This method addresses the root causes of facial aging to produce results that are both natural and long-lasting.
Facelift Surgery Recovery
Swelling and Bruising
Pain Management
Postoperative Care
To minimize swelling and promote healing, it’s important to:
- Keep your head elevated when resting or sleeping
- Use ice packs or cold compresses on the face and neck
- Avoid bending, lifting, or strenuous activities for at least two weeks
Follow-Up Appointments
Return to Routine
Scar Optimization
Facelift Surgery Cost
Facelift cost in New Jersey and Philadelphia ranges between $7000-$15000. Dr. Yamasaki will review the treatment options with you during the consultation. Once your treatment plan is determined, Dr. Yamasaki’s office will review the details and costs of surgery with you. The cost of surgery includes the hospital facility cost, anesthesia fee, and surgeon’s fee. The cost can vary depending on your specific treatment plan, any other procedures that are planned, and the complexity/time required for the procedures.
A facelift is not covered by medical insurance, but financing options such as Care Credit are available.
Why Choose Dr. Yamasaki for Your Facelift
Dr. Alisa Yamasaki, MD, is a Harvard-trained Facial Plastic Surgeon and board-certified Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. She offers treatments for facial rejuvenation that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient.
Dr. Yamasaki also specializes in complementary facelift treatments such as brow lifts , neck lifts, and dermal fillers to enhance your facelift results.
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Harvard-Educated, Fellowship-Trained
With credentials from Harvard and specialized training in facial plastic surgery, she brings expert knowledge of facial anatomy and aesthetics. -
Extensive Surgical Experience
She has performed over 1,000 facial procedures, including complex facelift cases and combination treatments with neck lifts and mini facelifts. -
Customized, Natural Results
Each facelift is tailored to preserve your unique features while restoring youthful contours—refined, not overdone. -
Trusted and Respected
Trusted and Respected Known for her meticulous approach and ethical care, Dr. Yamasaki is trusted by patients and peers alike.
Dr. Alisa Yamasaki, MD, is a Harvard-trained Facial Plastic Surgeon and board-certified Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. She offers treatments for facial rejuvenation that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient. Dr. Yamasaki also specializes in complementary facelift treatments such as brow lifts, neck lifts, and dermal fillers to enhance your facelift results.
If you are considering a facelift or other facial rejuvenation options, schedule a consultation online at Yamasaki Facial Plastic Surgery to learn more about your treatment options.
Common Facelift Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for a facelift?
An ideal candidate is someone in good overall health, a non-smoker, and experiencing visible signs of aging like sagging skin, jowls, or volume loss. Most candidates are in their 40s to 60s, but suitability depends more on facial aging than age alone. Good skin quality, stable weight, and realistic expectations are also important for optimal results.
What are the potential risks associated with a facelift?
After a facelift, it is normal to experience swelling, bruising, and some discomfort at the surgical sites. Surgical complications are rare and include postoperative bleeding (“hematoma”), infection, scar, soft tissue irregularities, and injury to the nerves that control facial movement. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon for your procedure is important to minimize the risk of these complications.
When will I see my facelift surgery results?
Initial improvements are often visible within 2–3 weeks as swelling and bruising begin to fade. Most patients see noticeable results by one month, with continued refinement over the next few months. Final results typically appear around 3 to 6 months post-surgery, depending on individual healing and lifestyle factors.
How long will facelift results last?
Facelift results typically last 7–10 years, with deep plane facelifts offering longer-lasting outcomes than mini facelifts. While a facelift resets the signs of aging, it doesn’t stop the natural aging process. Longevity depends on factors like the technique used, skin quality, and lifestyle.
Is facelift surgery right for me?
You may be a good candidate if you’re bothered by sagging skin, jowls, or deep facial lines that affect your appearance and confidence. Age isn’t the key factor—what matters is being in good health, a non-smoker, and having realistic expectations about surgery and recovery.