.svg)
Facelift
Charlotte's Most Trusted Plastic Surgeon
— delivering confidence through precision and care
.png)
Look Like You Again
Confidence has a way of radiating from the inside out, but sometimes loose skin, deep facial creases and sagging tissues can make you feel like you're hiding behind an older version of yourself. Dr. Brian May specializes in helping patients reclaim that sense of alignment between how they feel and how they appear with facelift surgery. His advanced techniques restore the natural contours and definition that help you feel authentically and confidently like yourself again.
General
2-3 Hours
4-6 Weeks
What is
Facelift
?
A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure designed to address the effects of aging in the face and upper neck. As we age, several changes occur that contribute to an older appearance: skin loses elasticity, facial fat shifts downward and the deeper tissues that support facial contours begin to weaken. While a facelift won’t fundamentally change your appearance or stop the aging process, it can help “turn back the clock” and restore a more rejuvenated look.
Though every patient is different and may require different techniques, Dr. May's preferred technique is the high SMAS deep plane composite facelift, a method he considers the gold standard for facial rejuvenation. This advanced approach lifts not just the skin but the deeper facial structures, including the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and malar fat pads, as a single unit, creating beautiful and natural-looking results.
His advanced techniques avoid the tight or “windswept” appearance common with facelift techniques that focus on just the skin, helping you look refreshed without people wondering “what kind of work” you’ve had done.
- Dr. Brian May
.webp)
What Can a Facelift Address?
An expertly performed facelift with Dr. May can address multiple signs of facial aging simultaneously, including:
- Sagging skin around the cheeks, jowls and neck
- Deep nasolabial folds (lines from nose to mouth corners)
- Marionette lines (lines from mouth corners downward)
- Jowling along the jawline
- Loss of facial volume in the mid-face area
- Loose neck skin and bands when paired with a neck lift
- Overall loss of facial definition and contour
The key to natural-looking results lies in addressing these signs of aging as a whole rather than treating each concern in isolation. Dr. May's advanced facial rejuvenation techniques allow for comprehensive restoration while maintaining harmony, balance and natural expression.
The Art & Science of Facial Rejuvenation With Dr. May
There's something uniquely satisfying about solving a complex problem with precision and creativity, a mindset Dr. May developed long before he ever held a scalpel. His undergraduate engineering degree taught him to approach challenges methodically, while his artistic sensibility ensures every solution is as beautiful as it is functional. This blend of analytical thinking and creative vision shapes how Dr. May approaches every procedure, seeing the signs of aging not as separate “issues” but as an interconnected system that needs to be rebalanced as a whole.
Technical skill gets you halfway there, but Dr. May’s artistic eye is what separates good results from truly transformative ones, influencing everything from incision placement to tissue repositioning. He also considers factors like natural facial asymmetries, expression patterns and even how someone’s face moves when they smile or laugh to craft each surgical plan.
- Dr. Brian May
Facelift Surgery
Procedure Details
At May Plastic Surgery, a facelift is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, taking about two to three hours to complete when done in isolation, though facelifts are commonly performed with
a neck lift or other facial rejuvenation procedures that will increase
the surgical duration. While some surgeons may offer local anesthesia
with sedation, Dr. May prefers general anesthesia for enhanced
safety and precision.
There are a number of techniques Dr. May can use to rejuvenate your appearance, with the exact approach depending on your needs, goals
and facial anatomy. The specifics of your procedure will be determined by
which approach is selected.
Dr. May's preferred technique involves making carefully placed incisions that follow the natural contours of your face, typically beginning in the temporal hairline, curving around the ear and extending into the hairline behind the earlobe. This allows your incisions to blend in seamlessly with the contours of your face, making them inconspicuous and virtually
invisible once healed.
Rather than simply pulling the skin tight, Dr. May works in the deeper layers of the facial tissues. He releases the retaining ligaments that cause sagging, then tightens and repositions the SMAS layer and facial fat pads to restore a more youthful appearance. To finish the procedure, he will carefully trim and redrape the skin over your newly lifted contours and close the incisions.
Recovery & Results
The initial recovery period involves swelling, bruising and discomfort. You'll need to keep your head elevated and avoid strenuous activity for optimal healing, so you may need some help around the house during this time. Swelling and bruising will gradually improve over the following weeks, and you'll start to see your new facial contours emerging. Many patients
feel comfortable returning to work and light social activities around the two-week mark, though you'll still need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity or exercise until cleared by Dr. May. Our team will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions and will closely monitor you throughout your recovery.
Your results will continue to refine as any residual swelling resolves and the facial tissues
settle into their final position over the following months. With proper care, you can expect your facelift results to last for a decade or more, you'll continue to age naturally but
look more rejuvenated than you would have without the surgery. Dr. May will provide
guidance on skincare, sun protection and other measures to help you maintain your
results for years to come.
Inside the Consultation Room With
Dr. Brian May
Adjunct Procedures:
To take your
Facelift
results to the next level, consider these options for a more complete transformation:
Request Your Consultation
A facelift is a big decision, and Dr. May believes you deserve straight answers to all your questions. Whether you're just starting to consider your options or ready to move forward, he'll take the time to understand your concerns and explain exactly what he can, and can't, achieve for you. Contact May Plastic Surgery in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 704-200-2493 to schedule a consultation, where you’ll feel heard, informed and confident about your decision.
Any questions?
We are here to help. Reach out with any questions about our procedures, recovery process, or how to get started. Our team is ready to provide the guidance and information you need to feel confident moving forward.