Dr. Boyd

Facelift Surgery in South Bay, CA

As we age, the tissues in our faces weaken and lose elasticity: we become prone to developing fine lines, wrinkles, folds, jowl formation, and sagging necks. Visible signs of aging can make us appear older than we really are—and certainly older than we feel. Other environmental factors, such as sun exposure, smoking, and air pollution, can accelerate this process. Fortunately, facial rejuvenation procedures can address these issues and more.

Dr. J. Brian Boyd is an esteemed plastic surgeon, a professor of surgery at UCLA, and the author of multiple plastic surgery books and journal articles. He has dedicated decades of experience and expertise to providing stunning, natural-looking, and highly tailored results to his facelift patients for the ultimate rejuvenation and confidence boost.

What is a Facelift?


Facelift surgery (also called a rhytidectomy) is designed to reverse the signs of aging in the cheeks, jowls, and neck by restoring a firmer, smoother, more youthful facial contour.

What Are The Benefits of Facelift Surgery?

  • Tightens sagging facial skin
  • Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
  • Corrects aging in the cheeks, jowls, and neck
  • Leaves inconspicuous scars
  • Provides effective and long-lasting results
  • Restores a more youthful appearance
  • Allows you to reclaim confidence in your appearance

Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?

If you are experiencing troublesome facial aging, including sagging, jowling, neck folds, and loss of youthful contours, a facelift may be an excellent option for you.

Suitable candidates should be non-smokers in good health with realistic expectations.

To find out if you are a candidate for a facelift, schedule a consultation with Dr. Boyd. Call us today at (310) 597-4734

What Is Discussed During My Facelift Consultation?

If you are ready to explore your facial rejuvenation options, the first step is a consultation with Dr. Boyd. At this appointment, you can share your facial aesthetic aspirations, ask questions, and learn more about the facelift procedure, recovery, and results. During your consultation, you and Dr. Boyd will discuss:

  • Your goals and expectations for a facelift
  • Your medical history
  • Dr. Boyd’s surgical technique(s)
  • Possible facelift surgery combinations
  • How to prepare for facelift surgery
  • What to expect from facelift recovery
  • Your questions and concerns

Dr. Boyd will also perform a physical exam at this time, record your measurements, take before photos, and create a surgical plan. For a smooth consultation, bring a list of questions and have a clear idea of your aesthetic goals so you can communicate them to Dr. Boyd.

What Are My Facelift Options?

Facelifts are cosmetic surgery procedures performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Dr. Boyd is skilled in various face-lifting techniques and tailors each procedure to the patient’s individual needs and aesthetic goals. During your consultation, you and Dr. Boyd will discuss which approach is best for you.


  • SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) Facelift

    • The SMAS technique targets the underlying muscular structures of the face and trims away excess skin
    • Incisions are made in the hairline around and behind the ear
    • Drooping facial muscles are tightened by drawing them back under tension
    • The platysma muscles of the neck are selectively weakened to eliminate neck folds
    • The facial tissues are re-draped to highlight your new facial contour, and excess skin is excised
  • MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension)

    • The MACS technique uses a reduced scar, targeting only the underlying muscular structures, and is ideal for younger patients with limited facial sagging
    • Incisions are made down the front of the ear and end at the earlobe
    • Undermining of the facial skin is limited, which allows for a faster recovery
    • The underlying muscles are tightened, but skin excision is minimal
    • This may be performed in the office under local anesthesia
    • Please note that not all patients are good candidates for a MACS lift. Dr. Boyd will tell you if you are

What Is Facelift Recovery Like?


After your surgery, you may have a surgical bandage placed around your face to minimize bruising and swelling. Before releasing you to your prearranged driver, Dr. Boyd will provide you with postoperative instructions. These will include information on incision care, topical or oral medications, concerns to look for, urgent contact information, and physical restrictions.

You will need to prioritize rest for the first several days and avoid strenuous activity for six weeks. Many patients can return to work one to two weeks after a facelift.

The exact timeline of your recovery will depend on which technique was used, as well as if your facelift was combined with other procedures, such as a brow lift or blepharoplasty. These last two procedures will lead to more bruising during recovery.

Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Boyd

What Results Can I Expect From a Facelift?


It can take several months for facial swelling to fully resolve and for tightness, numbness, and other sensory changes to stabilize.

It’s vital to use sun protection and maintain a healthy lifestyle for the best results. A facelift does not prevent aging, but you will always look more youthful and refreshed than if you never underwent facelift surgery.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?


The final cost of a facelift varies from patient to patient. Facelift pricing depends on multiple factors, including the technique used and surgical, anesthesia, and facility fees.

During your consultation, Dr. Boyd will provide you with specific pricing information for your facelift.

Before & After Photos


Facelift FAQ

Full SMAS facelifts are usually, but not always, performed with the patient asleep, while MACS lifts are more often carried out under local anesthesia and oral sedation. However, multiple procedures or apprehension on the part of the patient may necessitate the use of general anesthesia.

It is common to experience bruising, swelling, and redness following a facelift. Your face may temporarily feel tight and/or numb. Some patients may experience mild discomfort, which can be controlled using pain medication. You will be required to rest with your head elevated for one week following your surgery to minimize swelling.

You will need to limit your physical activities for up to six weeks following your procedure. Most patients return to work within two weeks. After six weeks, the majority of the swelling will have subsided and your final results will be evident.

Some doctors advertise procedures such as mini facelifts or weekend facelifts, which are supposed to provide you with the results of a facelift without an extensive recovery period. However, these procedures rarely have long-term benefits and often leave the same visible scarring. Mini facelifts are for mini surgeons!

Dr. Boyd’s expert skill and technique allow him to make fine incisions. Most of the resulting scar is hidden within the hairline or masked by its placement in junctional areas or creases. However, each patient heals differently, and there is a possibility that some visible scarring may develop, although it is likely to fade over time.

Facelift surgery provides patients with results that last for years. However, lifestyle plays an important role in determining the longevity of your results. Patients should avoid direct exposure to sunlight and quit smoking. Most undergo routine non-surgical ‘maintenance’ treatments such as fat grafting, facial fillers, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and skin peeling to maintain their youthful results.

Facelift surgery only treats the lower portion of the face. Many patients have noticeable aging not only there but also around their eyes and forehead (brow). For comprehensive facial rejuvenation, you may want to consider combining your facelift with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and/or an endoscopic brow lift. Dr. Boyd commonly combines these procedures to achieve stunning overall results.

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Our Location

Dr. Boyd's office is located in Palos Verdes (Rolling Hills Estates)

550 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 283
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

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