Dr. Donald Hause is a leading facelift surgeon in Sacramento. In the paragraphs below, Dr. Hause describes the facelift procedure, and how he has helped his facelift patients “turn back the clock” on aging.

What Facelift Accomplishes

Due to the natural aging process and overexposure to environmental damage, the skin and soft tissues of the lower face lose elasticity. Fat becomes displaced and the muscle tone diminishes. This results in loss of cheek contours, jowling and poor neck contour. Facelift and neck lift procedures can be used to restore a more youthful appearance to the lower two-thirds of the face.

Traditional facelift worked by removing excess skin and pulling the lax tissues back into place by pulling on the skin. The deep layers of the face (the tissues of the cheek and jawline) and neck did not respond well to this pull of the skin. Since little was done to change the deep layer of the face, normal cheek contours and deep nasal creases were not significantly improved. In an attempt to improve these areas, the skin was pulled tighter. Therefore, it was also common to produce a “pulled” or “over-operated look.”

Utilizing newer deep layer techniques, cheek contours, jowls and neck contours are greatly improved and the anti-aging results are longer lasting. As described by his mentor and friend Dr. James Stuzin at the 2021 ASAPS meeting in Miami, the High Extended SMAS facelift remains the most effective and long lasting natural result of all Face Lift techniques. Dr. Hause mastered this technique 25 years ago during his fellowship with Bruce Connell, who originated the High Extended SMAS facelift. Dr. Hause remains one of the less than 1 percent of all Face lift surgeons who can perform this complex and artistically demanding technique. 

More about Facelift Surgery

The facelift and neck lift procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis under anesthesia.

Dr. Hause makes the surgical incisions in the hairline at the temples, extending around the ear and into the lower scalp. Through the incisions, he sculpts or redistributes fat, modifies the muscles and repositions the deeper layers of the face. Jowling, excess skin and fat under the chin and on the neck are corrected. Dr. Hause re-drapes the skin smoothly over the improved facial contours and removes excess skin. If needed, he can make an additional incision under the chin to target the neck.

Facelift can be combined with another surgical or non-surgical procedure, such as fat transfer, the placement of facial implants, laser resurfacing or filler injections, to enhance the aesthetic outcomes.

Recovering from Facelift Surgery

After surgery some swelling and bruising can be expected and normally subsides within several weeks. Patients must rest and relax during recovery, avoiding any strenuous or vigorous activity. Dr. Hause supplies comprehensive instructions for recovery; he details how to care for the treated area, medications to take to aid healing and concerns to look for. He also advises when it is safe to return to work, exercise and socializing. Most patients return to work in 10 to 14 days.

How to Maintain Your Facelift Results

Despite all the hype about minimal procedures, Dr. Donald Hause remains busy with patients who wish to turn back the clock with formal facelift surgery. One of the most common questions Dr. Hause fields from his patients is, “How long do the results last?” In contrast to simple skin lifts and “Mini” procedures the can be minimally effective or last just a year or two, Dr. Hause commonly sees patients over 15 years from surgery that still look great. However, a patient’s aftercare plays a critical role in the longevity of the results. In this blog post, Dr. Hause shares some of his best tips patients can follow to make their facelift results last.

Practice Proper Sun Care

Unprotected and excessive sun exposure is one of the biggest threats to the beauty and health of your skin — regardless of whether you have undergone facelift surgery or not. Apply sunscreen to your face and neck (and any other exposed areas on the body) whenever you step outdoors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and try to stay in the shade as much as possible, especially during the sun’s peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Don’t Smoke

Not only is smoking detrimental to your health, it also speeds up the aging process. Smoking dries and wrinkles the skin, essentially working against skin rejuvenation procedures (like facelift) that aim to reduce the appearance of aging signs.

Moisturize Daily

Moisturizing helps keep your skin firm and elastic. And because each person’s skin is unique, it is important to use skin care products that are right for your skin type. At Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery, we offer several medical-grade skin care lines, including Obagi Medical products to help your skin look as radiant as possible. A member of our team can help you find the best options for your skin type.

Refresh Your Appearance with Laser Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing complements the results of facelift surgery by improving the skin’s quality. In addition to eliminating fine lines and wrinkles, laser resurfacing treats age spots, discoloration and dryness. Laser resurfacing can be done at the same time as facelift or after the procedure.

Learn More about Facelift

For more information about facelift surgery and how it can reverse the common signs of aging, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Hause. Call (916) 646-6869 to make an appointment.