Is a Secondary Facelift Painful?

You may experience some tightness, swelling, or mild soreness in the first few days, but the pain is usually minimal and well-controlled with medication. Since the tissues have already been surgically adjusted once before, this procedure tends to be gentler the second time around. Most people are back to feeling like themselves in no time.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You’ll start with a detailed consultation, during which we’ll map out your plan. From there, expect a pre-operative appointment, your actual surgery day, and a few follow-up visits to ensure a smooth healing process and optimal results. Most of our Orange County patients require only around 3 to 5 appointments in total, but we’re always here for additional check-ins if you need them.

How Long Until I See Results?

You’ll start noticing changes right away, such as lifted contours and tighter skin, but allow a few weeks for the swelling to subside and everything to settle. Around the 3-month mark, things start looking even more refined, and by 6 months, you’ll see smoother skin, sharper jawline, and that familiar youthful look you’ve been missing.

Can I Combine a Secondary Facelift With Other Procedures?

Absolutely. In fact, many of our patients in Orange County do. Eyelid surgery , brow lifts , neck lifts , facial fat transfer , or even non-surgical treatments like laser resurfacing or fillers can be added for more comprehensive results. It’s all about creating harmony across your face — so you look refreshed, not “overdone.” During your consultation, we’ll talk through what makes the most sense based on your goals and timeline.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Secondary Facelift?

There’s a slightly higher degree of complexity since your facial tissue has been adjusted before, so experience matters big time here. Risks can include infection, bleeding, scarring, or changes in skin sensation. But with expert surgeons like Dr. Brandon and Dr. Gangnes, who specialize in facial procedures, those risks are carefully managed with precision and planning. If you’re in the right hands, the goal is always to minimize risk and maximize beautiful, natural-looking results.

Secondary Facelift

In Orange County

Introduction

Introduction to Secondary Facelift

You already know the power of a great facelift — that confidence boost, the fresh look, the feeling of owning your age without looking tired. But even the best results can soften with time. If it’s been about a decade since your last lift and gravity is starting to take its toll again, a secondary facelift might be the subtle refresh you’re looking for.

At FAC Centers for Aesthetic Medicine, our expert facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Bryan Brandon and Dr. Richard A. Gangnes, specialize in helping patients maintain and refine the results of their previous surgery. This isn’t about starting over — it’s about picking up where your last procedure left off and keeping your look as vibrant as you feel.

Close-up of a woman lying supine with eyes closed as a medical professional in white gloves gently tends to her forehead. The bright lighting highlights the interaction, with a blurred background showing medical equipment and personnel in blue-gray scrubs. - Brow and Forehead Lift in San Clamente, Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

What is a Secondary Facelift?

A secondary facelift (sometimes called a revision or touch-up facelift) is designed for patients who have already had a facelift and want to maintain their youthful contours over time. The skin and underlying tissue continue to age naturally, and while the first procedure reset the clock, this one helps keep it paused.

Most of the hard work has already been done, so this procedure is typically less invasive and is often uses the same incision lines, if possible, to minimize additional scarring.

What Are the Benefits of a Secondary Facelift?

Because you’ve already invested in looking your best, why not maintain it? A secondary facelift helps:

Refine and refresh areas where laxity or sagging has returned
Boost volume and smooth deeper lines that may have developed
Preserve a natural, balanced appearance without dramatic change
Extend the results of your original surgery without going back to square one

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Secondary Facelift?

If it’s been about 8 to 12 years since your initial facelift and you’re noticing signs of aging returning — like jowling, deeper creases, or loose skin in the neck or jawline — a secondary facelift could be right for you. Ideal candidates are in overall good health and want to enhance their original results with natural-looking, surgical precision.

Youthfulness awaits

What’s the First Step?

During your consultation at FAC Centers for Aesthetic Medicine, Dr. Brandon or Dr. Gangnes will review your previous surgical history, examine your facial structure, and talk through your goals. This appointment is where the plan takes shape — from evaluating your skin’s condition to customizing the procedure to fit your face and timeline.

What to Expect on the Day of Secondary Facelift Surgery

Your surgeon will likely use your original incision sites to access and reposition deeper tissues, tighten skin, and restore volume in key areas. Because they’re working with an already-improved foundation, the procedure is typically shorter and the recovery easier than the first time around.

Secondary Facelift Recovery

Recovery from a secondary facelift is smoother than your first time around, mostly because you already know what to expect. Most patients experience some swelling, bruising, and tightness for the first week or two, but this is typically less intense than the initial discomfort following the facelift. You’ll want to take it easy for the first several days, and most people feel comfortable returning to social activities within two to three weeks. By six weeks, you’re back to full speed, and the final results continue to refine over the next few months.

At FAC Centers for Aesthetic Medicine, we’ll guide you through every stage of recovery with detailed instructions and follow-up care, making sure your healing process is as smooth and stress-free as your new jawline.

Understand The Costs

How Much Does a Secondary Facelift Cost in Orange County, CA?

The cost of a secondary facelift in Orange County, including San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, and Rancho Santa Margarita, typically ranges from $15,000 to $25,000. Pricing depends on the extent of revision required and whether other procedures are being performed simultaneously. Because secondary facelifts are more complex, they often require extra surgical time and expertise. At FAC Centers for Aesthetic Medicine, you’ll receive a personalized quote during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.

Why Choose FAC Centers for Aesthetic Medicine?

A secondary facelift takes more than skill — it takes a deep understanding of facial anatomy, artistic precision, and the kind of experience you only get from specialists who focus exclusively on the face. At FAC Centers for Aesthetic Medicine, Dr. Bryan Brandon and Dr. Richard Gangnes bring all of that and more. They’re not only board-certified — they’re affiliated with leading professional organizations including the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS), the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), and the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

With locations in San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, and Rancho Santa Margarita, the team is known for delivering natural, refined results with the kind of personalized care that keeps patients coming back — and confidently referring their friends.

Secondary Facelift FAQ’S

You’ll start with a detailed consultation, during which we’ll map out your plan. From there, expect a pre-operative appointment, your actual surgery day, and a few follow-up visits to ensure a smooth healing process and optimal results. Most of our Orange County patients require only around 3 to 5 appointments in total, but we’re always here for additional check-ins if you need them.
Absolutely. In fact, many of our patients in Orange County do. Eyelid surgery, brow lifts, neck lifts, facial fat transfer, or even non-surgical treatments like laser resurfacing or fillers can be added for more comprehensive results. It’s all about creating harmony across your face — so you look refreshed, not “overdone.” During your consultation, we’ll talk through what makes the most sense based on your goals and timeline.
There’s a slightly higher degree of complexity since your facial tissue has been adjusted before, so experience matters big time here. Risks can include infection, bleeding, scarring, or changes in skin sensation. But with expert surgeons like Dr. Brandon and Dr. Gangnes, who specialize in facial procedures, those risks are carefully managed with precision and planning. If you’re in the right hands, the goal is always to minimize risk and maximize beautiful, natural-looking results.

Schedule Your Consultation

You’ve already taken the first step once — now it’s time to keep the momentum going. Reach out to FAC Centers for Aesthetic Medicine in San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, or Rancho Santa Margarita to schedule your consultation and take the next step in staying ahead of the aging curve. A fresh face doesn’t have to be a one-time thing. Let’s keep you looking as timeless as you feel.