Facial surgery & treatments

Facelift

Services in Chesterfield, Kirkwood, and O’Fallon, Missouri

Request a consultation Call (314) 907-1841

About the treatment

Facelift

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that revitalizes the face and restores a more youthful-looking appearance. This procedure repositions and tightens the skin, fascia, and underlying muscles of your face to address signs of facial aging, such as sagging and hollowing. This procedure remains widely sought after, with over 79,000 facelifts performed in 2024 alone. ^(1,2)

Dr. Robert T. Cristel is a double board-certified surgeon who specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Synergi Facial Surgery. He offers over a decade of experience and has performed more than 20,000 procedures, demonstrating his extensive knowledge and dedication to his patients.

To schedule your consultation with Dr. Cristel and learn more, please contact us online or call (314) 907-1841.

Consultations are available at each of our locations:

Chesterfield, MO
Kirkwood, MO
O’Fallon, MO

Care type: Surgical procedure
Provider: Robert Cristel, MD, FACS
Planning: Consultation

Treatment guide

Facelift

A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that helps rejuvenate your facial appearance by removing excess skin and repositioning underlying tissues. Over time, many factors can accelerate facial aging, including gravity, sun damage, lifestyle habits, and more. ⁽³⁾ Dr. Cristel offers different variations of the facelift, including the mini facelift and deep plane extended facelift.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift focuses on rejuvenating the lower third of the face and primarily targets signs of aging around your cheeks and jawline. A mini facelift helps tighten, lift sagging or loose skin and tissue. This procedure is less extensive and is often performed on those with earlier signs of aging.

Deep Plane Extended Facelift

A deep plane extended facelift is a variation of the facelift that addresses the midface, lower face, as well as the deeper, underlying layers of facial skin and tissue. Unlike other types of facelift procedures, the deep plane extended facelift adjusts the outermost layer of skin, the underlying superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), and the deeper structures. This approach allows Dr. Cristel to perform more extensive corrections and achieve more comprehensive, longer-lasting results. A deep plane facelift is best for patients with more advanced signs of facial aging.

Undergoing a facelift can result in numerous benefits, such as:

Enhanced Facial Contours: A facelift can improve the definition and contours in areas such as your cheekbones or jawline.
Tightened Skin: This procedure can reduce sagging or loose skin, restoring a more youthful-looking appearance.
Reduced Signs of Aging: A facelift can help diminish the appearance of sagging and wrinkles.
Improved Confidence: Rejuvenating your appearance can enhance your self-esteem, leading to a greater sense of overall confidence.
Long-Lasting Results: Unlike non-surgical alternatives, facelifts–especially deep plane extended facelifts–are designed to provide longer-lasting rejuvenation.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Each treatment plan is designed around your specific concerns, anatomy, and aesthetic goals, providing you with results that align more closely with your expectations.

There are several reasons why someone may undergo a facelift. This procedure can effectively address the appearance of loose or sagging skin, facial wrinkles, or hollowing. Typical candidates tend to be between the ages of 40-60 with visible signs of facial aging; however, there is no ‘best age’ for a facelift. ⁽²⁾

All candidates interested in this procedure should be generally healthy and maintain realistic expectations for their results. Patients should also be nonsmokers or willing to quit in preparation for their procedure. Dr. Cristel will determine each individual’s candidacy for a facelift during their consultation.

The first step to rejuvenating your appearance is attending a personal consultation at any one of our offices located in the greater St. Louis area. During this meeting, Dr. Cristel will meet with you and converse with you about your situation and options. He will explain the facelift process and the different variations available. He will also ask you about your medical history, current medications, areas of concern, and your ideal treatment outcomes. Dr. Cristel will also examine your facial structure and skin quality.

Dr. Cristel will recommend the best strategies to help you achieve your goals. He will personalize your treatment plan, tailoring it to your unique facial structure and goals. He and his team will also prepare and provide you with comprehensive preparation and recovery instructions.

To schedule this consultation, please contact us online or call (314) 907-1841 to reach any of our locations:

Chesterfield, MO
Kirkwood, MO
O’Fallon, MO

Dr. Cristel will provide you with detailed preparation instructions during your consultation. These instructions are tailored to your specific treatment plan and medical history.

You will likely be advised to avoid taking certain medications or supplements with blood-thinning properties, as well as alcohol or nicotine. Transportation home from your procedure will need to be prearranged, as well as time away from work and other commitments.

On the day of your appointment, we ask that you arrive with a clean face, free of makeup or skincare products. The exact details and duration of your procedure will vary depending on the type of facelift being performed.

Mini Facelift Procedure

During a mini facelift, Dr. Cristel will make small, strategically placed incisions, typically in front of the ears, hidden in a natural crease. Through these incisions, he will carefully lift and tighten the underlying facial tissues, focusing primarily on the mid-to-lower face and jawline. After making adjustments, Dr. Cristel will close the incisions and apply dressings.

Deep Plane Extended Facelift Procedure

The deep plane extended approach is more extensive than the mini facelift. During this procedure, Dr. Cristel will place incisions either in front and behind the ears, or hidden within your hairline to minimize the appearance of any visible scarring. He will lift the underlying layers of muscle and fascia to provide substantial rejuvenation, as well as remove excess skin. ⁽⁴⁾

When recovering from a facelift, it is common to experience swelling, bruising, or tenderness in the treated areas. These effects will gradually dissipate on their own, but may also be managed by following recovery instructions and guidelines. During this time, you should rest with your head elevated to minimize swelling.

Most individuals can return to their routines after about two weeks, but strenuous or physical activities should be avoided for an additional few weeks or until Dr. Cristel indicates. Attending follow-up visits is important so that we can monitor your progress and ensure you achieve the best results.

Facelift Dr. Robert T. Cristel Synergi Facial Surgery

After residual swelling has subsided, you will be able to enjoy the results of your facelift. You can experience tighter, smoother skin and more defined facial contours. Signs of aging, such as wrinkles, creases, and fine lines, will also be softened and reduced, leaving you with a more youthful-looking appearance. The results of a facelift are designed to last for several years, with many patients experiencing the effects of their procedure for up to a decade or longer, depending on the type of facelift performed.

Several treatments can be performed in conjunction with a facelift, including our blepharoplasty procedure. A blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift, is a surgical procedure that alters the appearance of the upper and/or lower eyelids to restore a more refreshed appearance. Because a facelift does not address the upper face, an eyelid lift can provide more comprehensive rejuvenation for patients with additional concerns. Blepharoplasties are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the country, with over 120,755 procedures performed exclusively in 2024. ⁽²⁾

To learn more about the other procedures that may be combined with your facelift, we encourage you to read our blog.

The cost of a facelift can vary. Once the details of your procedure are established, Dr. Cristel will discuss the costs associated with your facelift with you.

To learn more about the cost of your facelift, please schedule your consultation online or call (314) 907-1841 to reach any one of our locations.

ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. ASPS 2023 report announcement
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2024 Plastic Surgery Statistics. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Published June 2025. ASPS 2024 report announcement
Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. Nih.gov. Published March 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/#article-28568.s4
Barrett DM, Casanueva FJ, Wang TD. Evolution of the rhytidectomy. World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2016;2(1):38-44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wjorl.2015.12.001

Common questions

Facelift FAQ

What kind of facelift should I get?

Dr. Cristel can perform either a mini facelift or a deep plane extended facelift. A mini facelift is best for less advanced signs of facial aging. Patients who receive this procedure often have concerns primarily in the lower third of the face. Meanwhile, a deep plane lift can provide more substantial, longer-lasting rejuvenation. During your consultation, Dr. Cristel will evaluate your skin and facial structure to determine which technique is best suited for your needs.

What can I expect after a facelift?

After your facelift, you will have surgical dressings placed over the treatment area to protect your incisions. Dr. Cristel and his team will provide you with post-operative instructions to help guide you throughout your recovery. Each individual’s recovery timeline will vary, but you can expect to return to your job after approximately two weeks.

Can a facelift address all aging concerns?

A facelift focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face, which means that the eye or forehead areas are not addressed. Combining your facelift with another procedure can help you achieve comprehensive rejuvenation.

Will there be any scarring after my facelift?

Dr. Cristel ensures that incisions are placed strategically to help minimize any visible scarring. Over time, any incision marks will fade until they are barely noticeable.

How long will the results of my facelift last?

The results of a facelift can last for an average of 10 years. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you prolong the effects of your procedure.

Will the results of my facelift appear natural?

Yes, Dr. Cristel aims to provide natural-looking results that avoid an overly tightened appearance. He will evaluate your anatomy to ensure that any alterations are harmonious with your facial structure.

Before & after

Before and After Photos

View patient results

Facelift Before & After Patient #4655 — Before

Request a consultation

Our team is here to answer questions and help you take the next step in your care. To request a consultation, call us at (314) 907-1841 or complete the form below. Availability will vary depending on your request, and a member of our staff will call you to confirm your appointment.

For cosmetic surgery consultations, a $100 non-refundable consultation fee is due at the time of scheduling. This fee is applied toward the cost of your surgery.

Surgical quotes provided during your consultation are honored for six months and may be subject to change after that time.

Please use this form for general inquiries and appointment requests only. Do not send personal health information through this form. Questions regarding your specific medical care should be addressed during your appointment.

Please complete the form below to request an appointment. Thank you!

If you prefer to schedule by phone or need assistance, call our team.

(314) 907-1841

Facelift

Facelift

Facelift