Facelift Overview

What Is a Facelift? Your Path to Rejuvenation

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a powerful procedure to restore a youthful appearance. For patients seeking a facelift in Tampa, Dr. Alexey Markelov's approach is designed to go beyond just tightening the skin. He meticulously studies each patient’s unique facial anatomy, sculpting and refining underlying facial structures to deliver a restored and rejuvenated look that harmonizes with your natural beauty. This comprehensive approach is ideal when makeup or non-surgical options no longer achieve your desired aesthetic goals.

Dr. Markelov is also proud to offer his revolutionary and patented RejuveLift™, an advanced technique that combines the most innovative surgical methods to provide natural-looking, long-lasting results with minimal downtime. The RejuveLift™ is designed to directly target the underlying causes of facial aging in the mid and lower face and neck.

This customized procedure creates a refreshed, youthful appearance that elegantly reflects your unique natural beauty. A facelift can provide a significant boost in confidence and self-love, and is often the perfect solution when:

  • Makeup or skincare products are no longer effective.
  • Non-surgical treatments like injectables don’t deliver lasting results.
  • You desire a revitalized and well-rested appearance.
  • You have developed jowls or a lack of definition in your jawline.
  • The skin on your face and neck has become loose or sagging.
  • Deep creases have formed from the corners of your nose to your mouth.
  • You have loose skin or excess fat under your chin.
  • You are looking for long-term facial rejuvenation.
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Tampa's Top Rated Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Markelov holds the rare distinction of being double board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. His expertise is further recognized through his membership in the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Aesthetic Society. As a prolific author, he has contributed extensively to the field of plastic surgery through his publications. A dedicated educator, Dr. Markelov has shared his knowledge and 20+ years of medical experience with aspiring surgeons as a teacher of residents and medical students. His commitment to excellence in patient care has garnered him numerous awards.

Below are some of Dr. Markelov’s credentials and accolades:

  • Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, consistently ranked in the top US Programs for plastic surgery
  • Achieved double board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery
  • Has been honored with multiple awards, including a Patients’ Choice Award
  • Published extensively on various topics in plastic surgery

The Consultation Process A Facelift for Your Aesthetic Goals

The first step for every patient is a consultation with Dr. Markelov in Tampa, who listens intently as the patient shares their vision for an improved appearance. He then explains the procedure and determines if it would help the patient achieve their goals. He only moves forward if he is confident that the procedure will exceed expectations for excellence.

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What Are the Benefits of the Facelift in Tampa at Markelov MD?

Deep lines and facial skin sagging require an expert's delicate and meticulous touch, and Dr. Markelov is just the expert you need. In addition to addressing creases and drooping, he can help restore youthful definition and vitality to your jawline, cheeks, and upper neck. When accompanied by brow lifts and eyelid surgeries, facelifts can take years off your appearance. 

AM Plastic Surgery in Tampa offers a genuinely unique facelift procedure that utilizes a hemostatic net to achieve truly remarkable results. With this cutting-edge technique, Dr. Markelov can redistribute skin more effectively, resulting in a more dramatic transformation with minimal risk of bleeding or fluid collections - and no drains required.

Other advantages include the following:

  • Improve underlying muscle tone
  • Restore youthful definition to your face
  • Combat jowling

Before & After Photos: Facelift in Tampa

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Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift in Tampa?

Are you self-conscious about sagging cheeks or jowls? While a facelift in Tampa can’t stop the aging process, it can rejuvenate your face and provide you with a natural-looking, line-free countenance. You may be a candidate for a facelift if the following apply to you:

  • You are healthy overall & stable weight
  • You are a non-smoker/ non-vaper
  • You are bothered by changes to your facial muscle tone or skin
  • You have realistic expectations

You may NOT be a candidate if you have:

  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or active nicotine use.
  • Skin-only concerns without structural muscle or deep tissue sagging.

Facelift and Eyelid Surgery: A Combined Approach for Harmony

Signs of aging rarely appear in just one area of the face. While wrinkles and sagging skin often develop around the mid-face and jawline, the eyes may simultaneously begin to show signs of fatigue with puffiness, drooping lids, and fine lines. For a truly cohesive and youthful outcome, Dr. Alexey Markelov recommends a combined approach. By performing a facelift to restore definition to the lower face and a blepharoplasty to rejuvenate the eyes, he ensures every part of your face is addressed. This strategic combination is the most effective way to achieve a balanced and harmonious look, which is why it is often the preferred choice for a comprehensive facelift in Tampa.

What Should I Expect During My Facelift Procedure?

Using a hemostatic net is a game-changer in achieving better and more drastic results with minimal risk of bleeding or fluid collections and no drains. This innovative technology will enhance your surgery, whether performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Markelov's skilled hands will form an incision along the crease where your ear meets your face, with the possibility of extending upward or downward along the hairline, depending on the extent of your procedure. 

The redistribution of fat in critical areas such as mid-face, neck, and along the chin will be expertly executed by Dr. Markelov. Excess skin will be trimmed away, and the underlying muscles and tissues will be lifted and sculpted to create a more youthful appearance, with the added benefit of the hemostatic net.

What Can I Expect On the Day of My Facelift Surgery?

Starting at midnight the night before surgery, stop all eating and drinking, including water. Don’t eat or drink anything until after your surgery. Also, the night before surgery, thoroughly wash your hair and body with surgical soap. Avoid wearing any perfumes, creams, lotions, or antiperspirants to your appointment, and do not wear any makeup or jewelry when you come to the office. Make sure to dress in loose-fitting garments that button down the front since, temporarily, you will not be able to pull clothing over your head after a facelift.

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How to Prepare for Your Facelift in Tampa

Following Dr. Markelov's preoperative instructions closely protects both your safety and your results:

6 Weeks Before

  • Stop smoking and vaping completely, and avoid nicotine patches or gum
  • Minimize alcohol consumption

2 Weeks Before

  • Stop aspirin, Motrin, vitamin E, fish oil, and herbal supplements, which can cause prolonged bleeding
  • Avoid major dietary changes and limit salt intake
  • Arrange a friend, family member, or helper to drive you home and assist you for 24 to 48 hours afterward
  • Fill any prescriptions, stock soft foods and juices, and set up a recovery space with extra pillows and ice packs on hand

Night Before

  • Wash your hair and body thoroughly with surgical soap
  • Skip perfumes, creams, lotions, and antiperspirants
  • Lay out loose, button-down clothing, since you won't be able to pull anything over your head for a while after surgery

Day Of

  • Stop all eating and drinking, including water, starting at midnight
  • Arrive without makeup or jewelry

Among these directives, smoking cessation carries particular weight. Nicotine constricts blood flow to the skin that has been lifted and repositioned, and a 2026 review of facelift wound-healing research found active smoking consistently linked to significantly higher complication rates, including skin flap necrosis along the incision lines. Sun exposure carries similar risks for scarring, which Dr. Markelov addresses in his guide to how lifestyle factors like smoking and sun exposure affect facelift results.

What Is Recovery Like After a Facelift?

Recovery after a facelift in Tampa follows a fairly predictable timeline, and using the hemostatic net speeds up several of its milestones.

  • Day 1: Patients can walk around the same day as surgery.
  • Days 3 to 4: Swelling and bruising typically peak during this window.
  • Week 2: Most patients feel comfortable returning to desk work.
  • Weeks 3 to 4: Swelling and bruising continue to fade; light walking is fine, but strenuous activity is still off-limits.
  • 6 Weeks: Patients are typically cleared to resume exercise and other strenuous activity.
  • 3 to 12 Months: Final results settle in as residual swelling resolves and incision lines mature.

Standard facelifts often require a next-day office visit to remove surgical drains. Dr. Markelov's drainless, hemostatic net approach eliminates that visit altogether. Throughout recovery, patients should sleep with their heads elevated to minimize swelling and avoid excessive talking or laughing in the first week or two. For a broader look at facelift recovery timelines, see ASPS's day-by-day facelift recovery guide or Dr. Markelov's own post on how long it takes to look normal after a facelift.

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Dr. Markelov's Comprehensive Facial Rejuvenation Approach

Dr. Markelov often combines his signature facelift procedures with fat transfer to rejuvenate the face. By adding fat grafting to a facelift, he can address not only sagging skin but also lost facial volume, a common concern as we age. Fat is harvested from your own body, typically from areas like the abdomen or thighs, and then carefully injected into specific areas of the face. This helps restore youthful fullness and soften wrinkles, resulting in a more natural and refreshed look. Combining these procedures can provide a more comprehensive rejuvenation, enhancing the overall outcome of the facelift for a more vibrant and youthful appearance.

Introducing: RejuveLift™

As mentioned, we are proud to be the home of the RejuveLift™, Dr. Markelov's patented approach to the neck lift that also incorporates a facelift. This revolutionary procedure combines advanced surgical techniques to deliver natural-looking, long-lasting results with minimal downtime, targeting the underlying causes of facial aging in the middle and lower portions of the face, including the neck, resulting in a refreshed, youthful appearance that harmonizes with your natural beauty. Our in-depth exploration of the RejuveLift™ will showcase its transformative potential and the innovative techniques it encompasses.

Key Components of the RejuveLift™ Procedure

  • Deep Plane Facelift: This advanced technique involves elevating and suspending deeper facial and neck structures, including muscles and connective tissue, to achieve a more dramatic and enduring lift. This method addresses sagging in the mid-face, jowls, and neck, restoring youthful contours and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and folds.
  • Fat Transfer (Autologous Fat Grafting): To enhance the rejuvenating effects of the deep plane facelift, RejuveLift™ incorporates fat transfer, strategically restoring lost volume and creating a youthful glow. Your own fat cells are harvested, purified, and injected into specific areas of the face to plump up hollows, soften lines, and improve skin quality.
  • The Drailness Technique with Hemostatic Mesh: RejuveLift™ is committed to minimizing postoperative complications and ensuring optimal skin redistribution. To achieve this, we utilize the advanced Drailness technique, which involves strategically placing a specialized hemostatic mesh after your procedure. This innovative mesh serves several crucial functions:
  • Reduced Risk of Hematomas: The mesh helps prevent the formation of blood clots (hematomas) and fluid collections.
    Enhanced Healing: The mesh promotes faster and more efficient healing of the treated areas.
  • Smoother, More Natural Results: The mesh contributes to a smoother, more natural-looking outcome by supporting the skin during the initial stages of healing.
  • Dissolvable Sutures: RejuveLift™ employs both internal and external dissolvable sutures strategically placed to minimize scarring. These sutures dissolve naturally over time, promoting a faster recovery and reducing the risk of complications associated with permanent sutures. After the healing process, scars are typically well-hidden and minimally visible.
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What Are the Benefits of RejuveLift™?

Another reason we’re so excited to share this procedure with our patients is the wealth of benefits the procedure offers. You can expect: 

  • Natural-Looking Results: By addressing the deeper layers of the face and neck, RejuveLift™ delivers results that are more natural in appearance and feel compared to traditional facelifts.
  • Long-Lasting Rejuvenation: The combination of deep plane lifting, fat transfer, and the Drailness technique ensures that your results are both dramatic and enduring.
  • Minimal Downtime: The use of dissolvable sutures and the Drailness technique minimizes post-operative complications and promotes a faster recovery.
  • Improved Skin Quality: Fat transfer restores volume and enhances skin texture and elasticity.
  • Enhanced Confidence: RejuveLift™ can help you feel more confident and rejuvenated, allowing your inner beauty to shine through.

Facelift Patient Reviews

I had my Facelift and Neck lift done with Dr. Markelov. I can not be happier.  He is a great surgeon, and I'm super happy with my face. I look 10 years younger!!! If you want to have it done, you should only do it with Dr. Markelov.

His skills and experience are extraordinary. I've had a deep plane facelift and upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) I'm so happy with the results. I look 15 years younger. Dr Markelov gave good instructions throughout the entire treatment.

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Deep Plane vs. SMAS vs. Mini Facelift: Which Does Dr. Markelov Recommend?

A deep plane facelift lifts and repositions the deeper facial and neck structures, the muscle and connective tissue beneath the skin, rather than tightening the surface alone. This produces a more dramatic, longer-lasting result, which is why it anchors Dr. Markelov's RejuveLift™ technique. Not every patient needs that level of correction, though, so Dr. Markelov matches the technique to the degree of laxity he sees during a consultation.

Technique Layer Treated Recovery Longevity

Mini Facelift

Skin and limited SMAS, lower face only About 1 week Typically 3 to 7 years
SMAS Facelift Superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) 2 to 3 weeks Typically 7 to 10 years
Deep Plane Facelift Deeper tissue beneath the SMAS, including muscle and connective tissue 10 to 14 days to resume routine activities Many years, often a decade or longer
RejuveLift™ Deep plane lift plus fat transfer and a drainless hemostatic mesh 10 to 14 days Many years, with added volume restoration

Patients with early, isolated laxity may do well with a mini or SMAS lift. For more advanced aging in the mid-face, jowls, or neck, Dr. Markelov typically recommends a deep plane approach or his RejuveLift™ technique. See ASPS's overview of facelift types and techniques or the full deep plane facelift page for more detail.

Video Testimonial: Facelift in Tampa

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Facelift FAQs

What makes Dr. Markelov's facelift procedure unique?

When is a facelift recommended?

How does using the hemostatic net enhance recovery?

How long do results last?

Will I have scars?

What is a non-surgical facelift?

What’s the difference between a facelift and a neck lift?

Will I experience numbness after a facelift?

Will my results look natural?

What are the potential risks associated with a facelift?

What makes Dr. Markelov's facelift procedure unique?

Dr. Markelov's facelift in Tampa stands out due to its utilization of a hemostatic net, resulting in exceptional outcomes with reduced risk of bleeding or fluid buildup and eliminating the need for drains.

When is a facelift recommended?

A facelift in Tampa may be recommended when makeup or non-surgical interventions no longer achieve the desired rejuvenation, and the desire for a refreshed, youthful appearance is paramount.

How does using the hemostatic net enhance recovery?

The use of the hemostatic net significantly streamlines the recovery process, enabling patients to move around on the same day as the procedure and minimizing discomfort, swelling, and bruising.

How long do results last?

The results of a facelift in Tampa are long-lasting, typically providing rejuvenating effects that can endure for many years. While the aging process continues, a facelift can effectively turn back the clock, allowing you to enjoy a more youthful appearance for an extended period.

Will I have scars?

Dr. Markelov utilizes advanced techniques to place incisions discreetly in inconspicuous areas, such as within the hairline and in the natural contours in front of and behind the ears. While scars fade significantly over a 12-to-18-month maturation process, immature scars are highly susceptible to hyperpigmentation (permanent darkening) from UV exposure. In Tampa, where winter UV levels remain moderate-to-high year-round, sun protection is critical. Dr. Markelov advises avoiding direct sun exposure and wearing broad-brimmed hats and broad-spectrum mineral SPF 30–50 daily to ensure your incision lines heal as thin and unnoticeable as possible.

What is a non-surgical facelift?

A non-surgical facelift typically involves the use of injectables, such as dermal fillers and neurotoxins, to address signs of aging without the need for invasive surgery. While non-surgical options can provide temporary improvements, a surgical facelift offers more comprehensive and long-lasting rejuvenation by addressing sagging skin and deeper facial structures.

What’s the difference between a facelift and a neck lift?

A facelift primarily focuses on rejuvenating the lower two-thirds of the face, addressing concerns such as jowls, nasolabial folds, and sagging skin. In contrast, a neck lift specifically targets the neck area, addressing issues such as loose skin, muscle banding, and excess fat deposits to create a more defined and youthful neck contour.

Will I experience numbness after a facelift?

It is common to experience temporary numbness or altered sensations in the treated areas following a facelift. However, these sensations typically resolve as the healing process progresses, and most patients regain normal feeling in the treated areas over time.

Will my results look natural?

Dr. Markelov is dedicated to providing natural-looking results that enhance your unique facial features while maintaining your individuality. By utilizing advanced techniques and personalized treatment plans, we aim to ensure that your results appear refreshed, rejuvenated, and harmonious with your overall appearance.

What are the potential risks associated with a facelift?

Potential risks include:

  • Hematoma (1%–14% standard risk): Blood pooling under the skin within 24 to 48 hours is the most common early complication and requires prompt evaluation.
  • Facial Nerve Weakness (<1%–2%): Temporary weakness or numbness from surgical traction or swelling can occur, though permanent injury is rare.
  • Skin Necrosis (1%–3% overall): Impaired blood flow can affect healing along incision lines. Smoking dramatically increases this risk.
  • Infection & Asymmetry (<1%): Infection is rare due to the face’s rich blood supply, and minor contour variations usually settle over time.

In order to ensure patient safety, Dr. Markelov minimizes these risks by utilizing advanced surgical techniques. To counteract hematoma, Dr. Markelov applies a hemostatic net, a temporary series of superficial quilting sutures that secure the skin flap against underlying tissue. Clinical studies show this technique slashes hematoma rates from up to 14% down to under 0.6% while eliminating the need for surgical drains.

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