Facelift FAQ

It's natural to have questions and concerns when considering facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Wandra Miles has found that by educating her patients, she helps them develop realistic expectations, feel good about their decisions, and anticipate the improvements to come. On this page, Dr. Miles has provided answers to questions she is commonly asked by her Seattle patients about facelift surgery.

To find out whether a facelift can provide the improvements you want, request your personal consultation with Dr. Miles or call her office at 206-215-6221. She serves patients from Bellevue, Olympia, and Tacoma, WA and Alaska.

Will I look like I've had work done?

As an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Miles provides facelift results that help her patients look younger but still like themselves. She does not use outdated techniques that give patients a pulled or wind-blown look.

How long will my face lift last?

Think of facial plastic surgery as turning back the clock several years and resetting it. A face lift in Seattle will not stop the aging process, but you'll continue to look years younger than if you had not had surgery.

Will a face lift make all my wrinkles look better?

The facelift focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face, so it will smooth away folds and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. It does not significantly address horizontal forehead lines or wrinkles around the eyes such as crow's feet. Those concerns are best addressed with an injectable treatment such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or a surgical procedure such as a eyelid surgery or a brow lift. Wrinkled skin under the eyes can be rejuvenated with a chemical peel or an aggressive skincare regimen that addresses the skin's needs at the cellular level.

Will I have to wear my hair a certain way to hide scars?

Facelift incisions are hidden in the hairline, at the junction of the ear and face, and possibly under the chin. After you've healed, your scars should not be evident to others no matter how you wear your hair.

When can I go back to work?

Facelift patients typically feel ready to return to work within 2 to 3 weeks after most of the swelling and bruising has subsided.

Do you offer facelift alternatives if I'm not ready for surgery?

Younger patients who do not have significant sagging can renew their look with a combination of injectable treatments. Dermal fillers and fat transfer can smooth wrinkles and folds and replace lost volume under the eyes and across the cheeks. BOTOX Cosmetic treatments can soften forehead lines and creases around the eyes, and provide a subtle lift to the eyebrows for a refreshed look without surgery. BOTOX treatments can also help the improvements from fillers last longer.