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For every $100 patient spend at Wave Plastic Surgery this May & June, we will donate $1 to All Seniors Foundation! For more information on All Seniors Foundation, check https://allseniors.org/

Celebration of Love: This Mother's Day & Father's Day, Give the Gift of Giving Back

All Seniors Foundation logo

For every $100 patient spend at Wave Plastic Surgery this May & June, we will donate $1 to All Seniors Foundation! For more information on All Seniors Foundation, check https://allseniors.org/

Endoscopic Facelift in Los Angeles, Orange County, & San Francisco

Aging gracefully is a goal many of us aspire to. Still, the relentless pull of gravity combined with the natural loss of facial volume and skin elasticity can prematurely age our features. At Wave Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Laser Center, we understand the subtle yet significant impact these changes can have on your self-esteem and social interactions. If you’re noticing the early signs of aging primarily around the eyes and midface—the regions most prone to early changes—you may be an ideal candidate for an endoscopic facelift.

Our globally renowned facelift surgeons in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and the Bay Area, including Dr. Peter Lee and Dr. Ben Lee, have performed over 3,000 successful facial rejuvenation procedures. As pioneers in minimally invasive endoscopic facelift techniques in Southern California, our surgeons leverage their extensive expertise to address these concerns with precision and artistry. We are proud to offer this advanced technique, which we’ve refined to deliver natural-looking results with minimal downtime and virtually hidden scarring.

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What Is An Endoscopic Facelift?

Exploring techniques and understanding their differences is essential when considering options for facial rejuvenation. So, what is an endoscopic facelift, and why would someone choose it over a traditional one?

Why Choose Wave for Your Endoscopic Facelift in Los Angeles?

Wave Plastic Surgery stands out as a premier choice for endoscopic facelifts in the Los Angeles area for several compelling reasons:

  • Our surgeons are specifically trained in advanced endoscopic techniques, with credentials from prestigious institutions including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Duke
  • We’ve pioneered refinements to the endoscopic facelift procedure that maximize results while minimizing recovery time
  • Our state-of-the-art surgical facilities in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco feature the latest endoscopic technology and equipment
  • Our comprehensive approach includes customized pre-operative planning and attentive post-operative care
  • We offer the expertise of multiple board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in facial rejuvenation

With an endoscopic facelift at Wave Plastic Surgery, you’re benefitting from decades of specialized experience in minimally invasive facial rejuvenation techniques.

Endoscopic Facelift vs Traditional Facelift

Traditional facelifts, also commonly referred to as full facelifts, are known for their effectiveness in reducing visible signs of aging. This conventional approach involves a surgeon making incisions along the hairline, allowing the skin to be pulled back towards the ears to smooth out wrinkles and tighten sagging skin. The procedure often includes redistributing or removing excess fat and adjusting underlying muscles to enhance facial contours.

While traditional facelifts like our SMAS Face and Neck Lift can produce significant results, they typically involve more extensive incisions, longer recovery periods, and potentially more noticeable scarring.

Reduced Scarring, Quick Recovery

In contrast, the endoscopic facelift represents a modern, minimally invasive approach to facial rejuvenation. This advanced technique utilizes an endoscope—a small, flexible camera that allows surgeons to view the internal structures of the face through tiny incisions. Rather than simply pulling the skin tighter, the endoscopic method focuses on lifting and tightening the facial muscles and managing fatty deposits from within.

The result is a more natural-looking rejuvenation with significantly reduced scarring, less swelling, and a much faster recovery time, making it an attractive option for patients seeking effective results with less downtime and fewer visible signs of having undergone surgery.

Endoscopic Mid Facelift Results.  See more in our Before & After gallery!

Comparing Facelift Techniques in Los Angeles

When considering facial rejuvenation in Los Angeles, it’s helpful to understand how endoscopic facelifts compare to other available facelift techniques:

Technique

Key Benefits

Recovery Time

Best For

Endoscopic Facelift

Minimal incisions, less scarring, shorter recovery

1-2 weeks

Early to moderate aging, midface concerns

Traditional SMAS Facelift

Comprehensive results, addresses significant sagging

2-3 weeks

Moderate to advanced aging, significant jowls

Mini Facelift

Limited incisions, focuses on lower face

1-2 weeks

Minor sagging, early jowl formation

Wave Lift™

Customized approach, comprehensive results

2 weeks

Multiple aging concerns, desire for natural look

Thread Lift

Non-surgical, minimal downtime

Days

Very early aging, temporary solution

The endoscopic facelift offers a perfect middle ground for many patients – more effective than non-surgical options like thread lifts but less invasive than a traditional facelift, with a quicker recovery time and hidden incisions.

Ideal Candidates for an Endoscopic Facelift

An endoscopic facelift can be highly effective for men and women who are concerned about moderate signs of facial aging. Ideal candidates are:

  • Middle-aged patients with signs of aging in the middle and lower third of the face
  • Patients desiring to minimize the length of the incisions used in a facelift
  • Patients eager for a quick postoperative recovery, and a swift return to work, social, and athletic activity

Candidates for endoscopic facelifts usually range from their early 30s to their late 50s. Surgical candidates should also be in good overall health.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Give us a call today to schedule your Facelift consultation with one of our plastic surgeons at Wave Plastic Surgery.

Benefits Of An Endoscopic-Assisted Facelift

The field of facial plastic surgery has been revolutionized by the introduction of a fiber-optic endoscope, presenting a novel approach that can provide a multitude of advantages compared to traditional facelifts. Using a fiber-optic endoscope makes an endoscopic facelift less invasive than a traditional one. The endoscopic technique provides patients with several benefits, including:

  • Smaller, better-hidden incisions
  • Improved visualization of tissues and anatomic structures through the magnified picture provided by the endoscope
  • A more focused operation with less disruption of structures adjacent to the path of dissection
  • Minimized bleeding, bruising, and swelling
  • A more rapid postoperative recovery

An endoscopic facelift allows a surgeon to address the underlying facial structures that contribute to sagging or drooping facial features while minimizing the bruising and swelling that occur after the procedure.

Areas that an Endoscopic Facelift Addresses

The procedure targets the upper and the middle third of the face and can improve issues including:

  • The loss of volume, and sagging soft tissues in the cheeks
  • Deepened nasolabial folds
  • Jowls
  • The loss of definition of the jawline
  • The sagging skin and soft tissues of the submental region (turkey neck deformity)
  • The loss of the sharpness of the cervicomental angle (where the neck meets the chin)

During a consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your facial structure and determine whether an endoscopic facelift would more effectively accomplish your aesthetic goals.

Endoscopic Mid Facelift Results.  See more in our Before & After gallery!

Get Your Consultation Today

Give us a call today to schedule a consultation with one of the plastic surgery experts at Wave Plastic Surgery to learn more about the procedure and the thread face lift cost.

The Preoperative Evaluation

As with any cosmetic procedure, you’ll start with a consultation. During the evaluation, the patient’s face and neck will be carefully evaluated from various angles.

Skin and Soft Tissue Assessment

The surgeon will assess the laxity and redundancy of the skin and soft tissues at many locations of the face and neck to determine where they could be tightened. The location of the temporal hairline and sideburn is also evaluated to determine the ideal placement of the surgical incisions.

Facial Structure Considerations

The facial skeleton is evaluated to determine whether its modification would enhance the overall result of the endoscopic facelift. This could be achieved by:

  • Reducing the projection of the mandibular angle
  • Reducing the projection of the malar bones
  • Increasing the length or projection of the chin with an implant
  • Performing a rhinoplasty

Complementary Procedures Evaluation

A surgeon will also assess as to whether the aesthetic result of the facelift could be improved by performing complementary procedures like:

Volume Enhancement Options

The doctor will also assess whether, in addition to lifting and tightening the patient’s skin and soft tissues, the aesthetic result of the endoscopic facelift could be improved by increasing the volume of soft tissue in the face by fat transfer. The areas of the face where these fat transfers are most commonly performed are:

  • The temples
  • The forehead
  • The malar eminence
  • The nasojugal groove or tear trough
  • The nasolabial fold
  • The labiomental fold
  • The submalar portion of the cheek
  • The lips

Once your actual facelift is scheduled, your doctor may provide you with special instructions on preparation. These may include how long to fast before your procedure, whether to schedule someone to pick you up from the surgical center, and whether to take special precautions for skincare before the facelift.
The world-renowned, board-certified doctors at Wave Plastic Surgery are industry leaders in Endoscopic Surgery.  Don’t wait to schedule your consultation with a skilled and experienced Wave Plastic Surgeon.  

The Endoscopic Facelift Procedure

On the day of your procedure, you will be placed under general anesthesia. The process can take two to five hours, depending on the extensiveness of the procedure and if any other adjunctive procedures are performed simultaneously.

To begin, the surgeon will make several tiny incisions behind the ears and the hairline. The exact location of the incisions will vary depending on each patient’s anatomy, tissues, and surgical goals. Generally, the incision begins in the lower temple, behind the hairline, and continues down to the skin just in front of the earlobe. Patients who require more attention in the neck area will also receive a counter-incision under the chin. This placement minimizes the incisions’ length requirement and helps them camouflage when they heal.

The camera of an endoscope magnifies the surgical field and projects it onto a large LED screen in the operating theater. The surgeon uses miniaturized instruments that can be introduced under endoscopic guidance. This allows the surgeon to maneuver nimbly and precisely within this small space, preserving vital structures while adjusting.

Once the adjustments have been made, the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system, i.e., the covering of the facial musculature) flaps are secured in their newly elevated position with a series of precisely placed sutures. The excess skin and soft tissue can then be removed.

The limited incisions are then closed in layers to ensure optimal healing and an inconspicuous scar. The portion of the incision in the scalp is closed with stainless steel surgical staples.

  • Final results are typically visible after 6-12 months
  • Results from an endoscopic facelift generally last 5-10 years
  • Factors affecting longevity include skin quality, lifestyle habits, and genetics
  • Proper skincare, sun protection, and healthy habits can extend results
Doctor using endoscope on patient

Facelift Recovery And Aftercare

After the procedure, the surgeon will cover your face in a post-operative garment or bandages. These will be changed on the patient’s first postoperative visit the day after cosmetic surgery. The surgical staples in the scalp will be removed one week after the surgery, and the skin sutures can be removed one week later.

You must be gentle with your face and skin for the first two weeks. Avoid too much neck or jaw movement, and take all your prescribed medications. The patient’s face will feel tight and look somewhat swollen in the first few days after surgery. By the time all of the staples and sutures have been removed, the patient will be able to appreciate the early results of their rejuvenation.

We have found that patients can usually move around with assistance, even on the first night of the surgery and certainly by the next day. They can generally return to work within two weeks of the surgery. A modified exercise regimen can be resumed within a month of surgery, with a transition to a full workout about six weeks after surgery.

If you have any concerns, always consult with your doctor.

Facelift Recovery And Aftercare

Patients often wonder what kind of results they can expect from an endoscopic facelift and how long these results will last. Here’s what you should know:

Short-term Results (1-3 months)

  • Initial swelling and tightness will gradually subside
  • Incision sites will continue to fade
  • Facial contours will begin to settle into their new position
  • Most patients report looking refreshed and more youthful by 4-6 weeks

Long-term Results (1 year+)

Unlike more invasive procedures, an endoscopic facelift creates subtle, natural-looking changes that appear as though you’ve simply had excellent rest rather than surgery. Our before and after gallery showcases the natural-looking results our patients have achieved.

Why Los Angeles Patients Choose Endoscopic Facelifts

Los Angeles residents have increasingly turned to endoscopic facelifts for several reasons that align with the Southern California lifestyle:

  1. Minimal Downtime: In a fast-paced city where time is valuable, the quicker recovery of an endoscopic facelift appeals to busy professionals
  2. Natural Results: Los Angeles values natural-looking enhancements rather than obvious surgical changes
  3. Hidden Incisions: The entertainment industry and appearance-conscious culture make hidden scars particularly valuable
  4. Celebrity Influence: Many high-profile individuals choose minimally invasive procedures, increasing awareness and popularity
  5. Year-round Climate: Los Angeles’ sunny climate makes quick recovery and minimal visible healing especially important

As one of the leading providers of endoscopic facelifts in Los Angeles, Wave Plastic Surgery has built its reputation on delivering results that complement the Southern California aesthetic – refreshed, youthful, and naturally beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions About Endoscopic FaceLifts

An endoscopic facelift is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that tightens and reshapes your underlying facial muscles and tissue to achieve a more youthful appearance. It utilizes a small camera (endoscope) to visualize facial structures through tiny incisions.

An endoscopic facelift typically takes between 2-5 hours, depending on whether additional procedures are being performed simultaneously.

The endoscopic technique uses significantly smaller incisions than traditional facelifts, typically hidden within the hairline and natural creases. This results in minimal, virtually invisible scarring once healed.

In the Los Angeles area, endoscopic facelifts typically range from $10,000-$20,000, depending on the specifics of your procedure and surgeon qualifications and experience. We offer personalized consultations to provide an accurate quote.

Most patients can return to work within 10-14 days after an endoscopic facelift, compared to 2-3 weeks for traditional facelifts.

Good candidates notice moderate sagging in the middle face, early jowl formation, or deepening nasolabial folds, but don’t yet have significant neck laxity or excessive skin that would require a traditional facelift.

Most endoscopic facelift patients are between 35-55 years old, but the ideal timing depends more on your facial aging than your chronological age. Some patients benefit earlier, while others may not need intervention until later.

Most patients report looking 5-10 years younger after an endoscopic facelift. The goal is a natural, refreshed appearance rather than a dramatically different look.

No, when performed by skilled surgeons like those at Wave Plastic Surgery, endoscopic facelifts provide natural-looking results without the “windswept” appearance associated with older facelift techniques. The focus is on restoring youthful contours rather than simply pulling skin tight.

An endoscopic facelift primarily addresses the middle and lower face. For optimal results around the eyes and forehead, complementary procedures like brow lifts or blepharoplasty may be recommended.

Light walking can be resumed within a few days, but strenuous exercise should be avoided for 4-6 weeks to allow proper healing and to prevent complications.

A mini facelift typically addresses primarily the lower face and jawline with limited incisions, while an endoscopic facelift focuses more on the mid-face area using specialized camera equipment for visualization through tiny incisions.

Give us a call today to schedule your Endoscopic Facelift consultation with one of our plastic surgeons located in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco.

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Medically Reviewed By Dr. Ben Lee

M.D., F.A.C.S.

Proudly using his creativity to help patients regain a sense of wholeness and confidence, Dr. Ben Lee takes a very patient-centered approach to care.

Learn More About Dr. Ben Lee