Looking for the Best Facelift in New York?
Wrinkles are a natural part of life and even those who take great care of their skin can’t avoid them entirely. However, there are ways to reduce the appearance of aging. You can turn back time with a rejuvenating and natural-looking facelift. By working with an expert facial plastic surgeon, you can achieve a long-lasting youthful look. New York is known for its high-end fashion, and trends in the cosmetic industry often start here. So what better place to go for your facelift. If you’re considering a facelift, it’s important to find a facial plastic surgeon who is up-to-date on the latest techniques.
If you’re looking for a trusted facelift specialist who is known for his surgical craftsmanship, you need to look no further than New York’s preferred facelift expert. Dr. Sam Rizk is a highly skilled and experienced double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon whose facelift surgery technique uses minimal incisions to ensure rapid recovery and improved scar healing. He is an expert in deep plane facelift and extended deep plane facelift. In addition, he is a Sloan Kettering trained head and neck surgeon. You’ll be looking your best in no time!
Meet Your Surgeon: Dr. Sam Rizk
Dr. Sam Rizk is a world-renowned double-board certified surgeon who specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Rizk is a master of the facelift.
- 20+ years of experience with sophisticated facelift techniques
- Double board-certified in facial plastic surgery (by ABFPRS)
- Thousands of happy patients with natural results
- Dr. Rizk’s before and after images showcase his expertise as a plastic facelift surgery professional
- He uses the latest technologies and techniques to ensure that his patients get the best results possible
- Recognized for his latest advances in facial plastic surgery techniques
- Experienced with a wide variety of ages and ethnicities
- Highly respected in the facial plastic surgery community
- Director of Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC
- Volunteers as a facial plastic surgeon for the Little Baby Face Foundation
Facelift Before and After – Real Client Results
*Results may vary.
See More Real ResultsYour Guide to Facelifts
If you’re considering a facelift1, this guide will help you understand the different types of facelifts and what to expect during your consultation and surgery. It is normal to have questions and concerns. Dr. Rizk and his team are here to answer all of your questions and help you make the best decision for your needs. We can help you understand the different types of facelifts, what the procedure will entail, and what kind of pain and recovery challenges you might experience after surgery. Such a life-changing decision needs to be weighed carefully with the help of a qualified medical professional. We have put together a short guide to help you understand what to expect and put you at ease.
Top Rated Facelift & Mini Facelift NYC
If you are considering a facelift, Dr. Rizk is the best NYC plastic surgeon to trust for your procedure. Dr. Sam Rizk is one of New York’s top-rated facial plastic surgery professionals who specialize in both the traditional full facelift and the mini facelift. The latest advancements in facial contouring as well as minimal incisions and scarring allow for a more natural look for Dr. Rizk’s NYC patients.
Deep Plane Facelift – Dr. Rizk’s Technique
Dr. Rizk uses the deep plane facelift technique2, among other techniques, to give his patients the best results. Through this technique, he is able to treat the deep layers of the face without affecting the upper layers. This provides his patients with a natural-looking result that does not look “pulled.” Dr. Rizk’s patients often say that they look years younger, but people around them cannot put their finger on why. If you are interested in learning more about the deep plane facelift, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rizk, please contact us today.
Why Choose Dr. Rizk – The Best Facelift Surgeon NYC
Dr. Rizk is an outstanding choice for a facelift plastic surgeon because of his extensive experience and knowledge of surgical techniques. He is also well-respected by his peers, which makes him an excellent choice for this procedure. Dr. Rizk will provide you with the best possible results from your surgery, and you can trust that he will do everything possible to ensure that you are satisfied with the final outcome. He has extensive experience performing all types of facelifts, including the mini facelift, mid-facelift, lower facelift, and deep facelift. His patients come from all over New York to see him for his skillful and artistic work 3. Contact Dr. Rizk today to schedule a consultation and learn more about what he can do for you.
The Facelift Process Explained
Are you wondering what to expect during a facelift procedure? Here’s a breakdown of the process, from preparation to recovery. Keep in mind that every patient’s experience may differ, so be sure to talk to Dr. Rizk about what you can expect in your specific situation.
Step 1 – Consultation
Every facelift procedure starts with a consultation where Dr. Rizk will ask you a series of questions to get to know you better and find out what you would like to achieve. You’ll discuss your main concerns, and any fears you might have as well as what your various facelift options are. Your medical history and any current health issues will be covered as well. This is the perfect time to ask any questions you might have and have a heart-to-heart conversation with one of New York’s finest plastic surgeons. He has helped hundreds of patients and knows exactly how to help you too!
Step 2 – Designing Your New Look
The consultation is followed by a face examination and measurement which is plotted on a facial worksheet. Dr. Sam Rizk will also take photographs of the different angles of your face and make recommendations as to what the next steps will be. Digital imaging technology will help you see what the facial plastic surgery outcome will be. It’s all very exciting!
Step 3 – Preparing for Surgery
There are several things that you should do to prepare for your facelift surgery. Here is a non-exhaustive list that can act as a guideline. It is strongly suggested that you obtain instructions directly from your doctor.
- Adjust your prescription medications: Be safe during the facelift procedure.
- Stop smoking: Nicotine interferes with healing.
- Over-the-counter medication is a no go zone: Medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal supplements, and aspirin will increase bleeding – to be avoided.
- You will ideally have support: Plan to have someone fetch you and take care of you and your house during the first few days after the operation.
- Pre-prepared frozen meals: You can either prepare and freeze your meals ahead of time or have a meal delivery service bring meals during your recovery time.
- Pain medication prescription: Fill the pain medication prescription that the plastic surgeon gave you before the surgery. Filling prescriptions post-surgery may be difficult.
- Drink plenty of water: Make it a habit to drink water in the time leading up to your surgery. You need to be hydrated to help assist the healing process.
- Clothing matters: Take clothing with you that will be easy to use and put on, e.g. buttons, zips, etc.
Step 4 – Procedure
The plastic surgeon lifts and moves the underlying soft tissue and muscles to their former position, seamlessly adjusting it over the face’s newly positioned contours, and removing any excess skin. This technique results in decreased bruising and swelling and also improves scar healing as a result of reduced tension on the outer layers of the skin. Dr. Rizk has performed this surgery countless times with impressive success. You have nothing to worry about.
Step 5 – Recovery
The period of recovery largely depends on the type of facial surgery technique used and your overall health. You can expect to have a swollen and bruised face for a few weeks and feel back to normal within two to four weeks although it can take up to three months in some cases. You should be able to resume light activity within a few weeks as well. It is important to remember that before getting a facelift surgery, you need to start eating healthier and drinking more water to ensure you heal as quickly as possible. Talk with Dr. Rizk about how you can better prepare for a facelift recovery.
Facelift Cost NYC
Depending on each patient’s individual needs and the type of facelift chosen, the cost can range greatly. This can include a variety of expenses and fees such as paying for the surgeon, surgical facility, anesthesia, and post-operative care. Fortunately, short and long-term financing and payment plan options are available for those who need assistance with covering the costs of their facelift. That’s great news for those who have been putting off their face rejuvenation plans because of being out of pocket. If you qualify for financing, a rejuvenating facelift could very well be realistic after all.
Full Facelift
A full facelift means that every part of the face that is showing advanced signs of aging will be lifted. This would include the eyes, brows, foreheads, jawline, and neck. Although Dr. Rizk employs the most sophisticated technique, it is still true that this type of facelift has more incisions than other facelift options. Plus, a longer recovery time with more swelling. Some clients can only return to work after two weeks while others return after one week.
Mini Facelift
Usually performed on patients in their 40s and 50s, a mini facelift is a non-invasive procedure with less risk and downtime than a full facelift. It targets the sagging cheeks and skin folds between the nose and mouth. Incisions are made in the mouth and hairline followed by the lifting and moving of the layer of fat over the cheekbone. The procedure can also be performed through an incision in the lower eyelid or even endoscopically. However, it does not create as dramatic a result as a full facelift would. A mini facelift can be done as a standalone procedure or as part of a regular facelift as both procedures target the same parts of the face.
Deep Plane Facelift
In a deep plane facelift, the surgeon accesses the facial muscles through incisions in the hairline at the temples, extends these incisions down in front of the ear (possibly into the creases), and continues them behind the earlobe to end in or near the lower scalp. This type of facelift provides more significant results than a traditional facelift, but also has a longer recovery period. However, Dr. Rizk is able to minimize recovery time as well as the appearance of scarring by placing the incisions in very specific locations.
Post-bariatric Facelift
Many people who have undergone extreme weight loss are faced with the unsightly challenge of loose, excess skin in their facial and neck areas. Also known as a droopy face, you see volume loss present in the mid-face. An interesting point to note is that the skin is very much like thin aging skin with a loss of underlying fat. Dr. Rizk is highly experienced in this type of surgery. Most patients require increased cheek and neck tightening as well as deeper muscle and facial tissue elevation and repositioning.
Secondary Facelift
Not to be confused with a revision facelift which serves to correct the results of an undesirable facelift, the secondary facelift is often performed more than 10 years after the initial facelift. With the aging process in full swing, the once rejuvenated face could possibly require a refreshing update to re-address sagging skin and muscles that have yet again responded to gravity.
Short Scar Facelift
Also known as a J-lift or limited incision facelift, the minimally invasive short scar facelift is characterized by the use of smaller incisions to help tighten underlying facial muscles and remove excess skin. It is intended for those with moderate signs of aging in the lower part of the face and can address sagging skin around the jowls for a firmer, refreshed appearance and a more refined look. The short scar facelift also has a shorter recovery period than a traditional facelift.
Cutaneous Lift
As opposed to all other facelifts that lift, move, tighten or reposition underlying muscles and tissues to varying degrees, the cutaneous lift is a skin-only lift. It does not touch or alter the underlying muscle or fat tissue. This procedure would be ideal for those who have lost some elasticity in their skin but still have a well-toned face with minimal fat loss and only require a bit of tightening. This is done by removing excess and/or loose skin whereafter the skin is repositioned to reveal lifted cheeks and jowls as well as a more defined jawline.
Mid-Face Lift
As the name suggests, the mid-face lift targets the middle of the face with a focus on hollow upper cheeks, eye bags, and downturned mouths caused by deep nasolabial folds and lines. An endoscopic camera is inserted through small incisions made around the hairline and ear to help elevate cheek fat pads and smooth and tighten the underlying facial muscle.
Awards & Certifications
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Facelift VS Mini Facelift: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between a facelift and a mini facelift is the part of the face that requires tightening and rejuvenation as well as the extent of surgical incisions made and the moving and repositioning of underlying muscles and fat tissue. The full facelift focuses on the bottom two-thirds of the face and neck while the mini facelift4 has smaller incisions and only focuses on the bottom third of the face and neck. However, with the help of a skilled surgeon like Dr. Rizk, both options address the aging concern and both produce dramatic, natural-looking youthful results.
Benefits of a Facelift
It goes without saying that looking younger is in and of itself the chief benefit of having a rejuvenating facelift. However, it is not the only one. The upside of a more attractive and youthful appearance can positively affect our self-confidence and in turn our lives.
The physical benefits of having a facelift are:
- Droopy or sagging skin is tightened and smoothed
- The underlying muscles and fat tissue that has moved downwards over time is moved back into its original position
- Jawlines are more defined
- Excess skin is removed
- Deep nasolabial lines are eliminated
- Double chins are a thing of the past
- The entire eye area is rejuvenated with several separate procedures
It is so important to feel good about ourselves, emotionally and physically. The two go hand-in-hand: look good, feel good! If you believe a facelift can help improve your self-confidence, Dr. Rizk and his staff are here to help.
Dr Rizk In The Media
Dr. Rizk was voted by his peers as a Top Doctor in 2025 – For the 21th consecutive year!
Certificate Facelift – Dr. Samieh Rizk 2021
Connolly Best Doctor
Dr. Rizk featured in Town & Country Magazine as one of the masters of the subtle lift and tweak that will turn back time
Voted by peers to New York Magazine’s 2013 Top Doctors
New Advances in Facelifting Techniques by Dr. Sam Rizk
The Role Of The Hidden Platysma Muscle In Neck And Facial Aging
Possible Risks – Facelift Side Effects
There are a few risk factors5 that you should be aware of when opting for any facelift procedure. You are safe with Dr. Rizk. He and his staff use the strictest hygiene protocol and he has performed successful facelift surgery countless times. However, we believe it is right to educate our potential patients on the risks that come with any surgery, including facelift surgery. These include:
- Hematoma: A hematoma is a very bad bruise that occurs as a result of bleeding under the skin. This causes a pool of clotted blood to form and can make the skin feel rather spongy and lumpy. It is not usually a cause for concern.
- Scarring: Although scars will lighten over time, well-placed incisions result in minimal visible scarring.
- Hair loss: Patients might experience that hair growth patterns do not return to normal after a facelift due to the incisions made within the hairline. They might also experience hair loss due to stress affecting the hair follicles.
- Skin loss: 2 – 3% of facelifts result in reduced or minimal blood flow to certain parts of the face which can lead to skin necrosis and is of most concern for smokers as nicotine can hinder the healing process.
- Infection/Inflammation: Should you notice a spot that seems to be a little bit warmer than it should, or looks like there could be inflammation, call your doctor. It might be an infection that could require antibiotics. This is a serious risk and must not be ignored at any cost.
- Excessive bleeding: Although it is normal to experience minor bleeding in the first few days after surgery, it is not normal to experience excessive bleeding. You do have to contact your doctor immediately as he will want to attend to this as soon as possible. Again, it bears repeating. This is a dangerous situation. Call your doctor if this happens.
- Reaction to anesthesia: Some people feel nauseous and vomit when they receive anesthesia. It is not life-threatening and does not last long but it is important to be aware of this.
Who Is A Candidate?
A good candidate is someone who is in good health physically with no worrisome ailments or conditions that could hinder their healing. From a mental standpoint, they also need to be mentally fit, have a positive outlook on life, and have realistic expectations of what the facelift result will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best age for a facelift?
The best age for a facelift is when the signs of aging start to become more apparent, which is usually when people are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.
What a facelift is not
Although a facelift will do wonders for naturally improving the youthful appearance of your face, it is not a procedure aimed at improving skin quality and does not stop the aging process.
How painful is a facelift?
There is not much pain after the operation and any pain will last for about 2 – 4 days. You might experience shooting pains around the numb incision areas as the feeling returns.
How long will a facelift last?
Facelifts last for about 10 years as the natural process of aging cannot be stopped.
How much younger can a facelift make me look?
Studies show that on average, a facelift can make someone look 12 years younger than their current age.
References
1 Mayo Clinic. Face-lift. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/face-lift/about/pac-20394059
2 Blake S. Raggio; Bhupendra C. Patel. Deep Plane Facelift. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545277/#article-21526.s9
3 MedEsthetics. Sam Rizk, MD: Blending Art and Science. Available: https://www.medestheticsmag.com/business/article/21146126/sam-rizk-md-blending-art-and-science
4 Healthline Media. Everything You Need to Know About a Mini Facelift. Available: https://www.healthline.com/health/mini-face-lift#what-is-it
5 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the risks of facelift surgery? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift/safety
By Dr. Sam S. Rizk, M.D., FACS.
Dr. Rizk is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty surgery and a recognized expert on the latest advances in facial plastic surgery techniques. He performs a range of facial plastic surgeries at his New York practice.