Facelift in Sarasota

Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Salzman will use the facelift technique that is most appropriate for each patient. Common concerns include skin laxity of the face and neck, heavy skin folds near the mouth, jowls, fullness under the chin, prominent neck bands, and volume loss in the midface area. If you are in Tampa, FL, consultations with Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Salzman will occur at their Tampa office. However, the facelift procedure itself will be conducted at our Sarasota office.

Am I a Facelift Candidate?

Not everyone is a candidate for facelift surgery. Patients with early mild skin laxity may benefit from filler injections, volumization with Sculptra, collagen stimulation with hyper-dilute Radiesse, Genius Intelligent RF or Ultherapy treatments, laser skin resurfacing, etc.

Am I a Facelift Candidate?

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What is a Facelift?

The facelift procedure begins with contouring of the neck, jawline, and area under the chin. Some patients may require only minimally-invasive neck contouring, requiring only a needle puncture for traditional (cold) laser-assisted or radiofrequency-assisted liposuction, while others need to have contouring of the platysma muscle (platysmaplasty) to reduce the appearance prominent bands at the front of the neck. Many patients need both liposuction and platysmaplasty to achieve the best results. Dr. Holcomb has extensive experience in radiofrequency assisted facelift and neck lift with both laser lipolysis (co-developer of AccuLift procedure) and radiofrequency assisted lipolysis (RFAL).

Both procedures can be used as standalone neck contouring procedures, but are frequently used in conjunction with facelift surgery. Next, a vertical facelift of the mobile SMAS is performed. This is the most contemporary and effective approach that can effectively lift and sharpen the jawline while also softening the marionette and smile folds. It also mobilzes volume upwards into the mid-face while reducing volume in the lower face to bring back the heart-shaped contour reminiscent of youth. At Holcomb - Kreithen Plastic Surgery and Medspa, facelift procedures are typically performed in our AAAASF-accredited outpatient surgical facility under IV sedation. General anesthesia is not required.

Before & After Feature Facelift

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Energy Assisted Facelift

The radiofrequency assisted facelift (also known as AccuLift™) blends minimally invasive laser lipolysis (use of a special fiber laser that targets collagen, fat, and water to emulsify and melt fat as well as sever and tighten loose collagen bands under the skin) with traditional surgical facelift techniques. Dr. Holcomb co-developed this procedure.

It is also known as laser assisted facial contouring (LAFC) when used to sculpt the lower face, or as laser assisted neck contouring (LANC) when used to sculpt the area under the chin and the neck. Dr. Holcomb unveiled this procedure (which was also described as “the 30-minute facelift”) on the CBS award-winning show The Doctors in 2011.

Meet Your Surgeons 75 Years of Combined Experience

J. David Holcomb, MD Face, Nose & Laser Surgery

J. David Holcomb, MD is a double board-certified Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Laser Surgeon (American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Board of Otolaryngology) who has practiced in Sarasota since 2000. His expertise includes advanced procedures such as rhinoplasty and laser resurfacing, and he has participated in groundbreaking clinical research trials (principal investigator in several helium plasma dermal resurfacing studies and BLESS II Letybo neurotoxin non-inferiority study).

Meet Dr. Holcomb

Joshua C. Kreithen, MD Breast & Body Surgery

Joshua C. Kreithen, MD is an Aesthetic Breast & Contouring Body Specialist who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Kreithen has practiced in Sarasota, Florida since 2004.

Meet Dr. Kreithen

Marc J. Salzman, MD Face, Breast & Body Surgery

Marc J. Salzman, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience in face and body procedures. A recognized educator and innovator, he's known for advancing techniques and contributing to FDA studies on breast implants.

Meet Dr. Salzman

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The Vertical Facelift

If you have jowls that are easily visible and partially obscuring your jawline when you look in the mirror while standing or sitting, try looking with a hand mirror while lying on the bed or sofa. What happens? In many people, this results in the jowls moving upwards into the lower face and backward toward the ears so that the jawline is magically restored to a youthful state. Guess what position patients are in during facelift surgery? If you guessed flat (supine), you are correct.

So, in this position, the jowls are simply not visible in many cases. They have temporarily migrated up into the face, where surgeons do not perform traditional liposuction. So what happens to the jowls? If you have a facelift procedure that doesn’t directly address the jowls, the jawline will generally look better right after surgery, but over time, and often sooner than later, the jowls will become apparent again — even if the skin is relatively tight across the jawline.

A vertical facelift is done by marking and then placing an incision along the hairline and around the ears to access the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system). The ligaments are then released, and the tissues are lifted vertically as one unit. Once everything is placed, the incisions are then closed. By lifting the deep tissue vertically, your surgeon can address the sagging cheeks, lower face, and neck all at once, resulting in a much more natural and youthful look.

Facelift Patient Testimonial

The Deep Plane Facelift

Unlike traditional facelifts that target superficial layers, the deep plane facelift delves into the deeper structural components of the face. This advanced procedure achieves a refined and more youthful appearance by addressing sagging muscles and connective tissues. With their extensive experience in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Salzman excel in providing significant results, particularly in areas such as the cheeks, nasal region, and neck. Working beneath the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) layer, their approach offers patients a refreshed look with potentially minimized visible signs of surgery.

The deep plane facelift's focus on the deeper facial structures sets it apart from traditional methods. While a facelift mainly addresses the skin and superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) layer, the deep plane technique repositions the skin and muscles, resulting in a more natural appearance and longer-lasting results. This technique especially benefits individuals seeking a rejuvenated mid-face area, including improvements around the cheeks and nasolabial folds.

Dr. Holcomb exhibited an outstanding bedside manner, offering unparalleled care and respect throughout the entire process. The procedure not only made me look twenty years younger, but was also highly cost-efficient, making it an excellent choice for anyone considering this treatment. I highly recommend Dr. Holcomb and his team for their exceptional service and expertise.

Susan Sparks

Addressing Multiple Concerns

Patients undergoing facelift surgery often have other procedures done at the same time. These procedures can include:

Brow lift
Upper and/or lower eyelid lift
Facial implants
Lip enhancement
Laser skin resurfacing

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Tampa Bay Residents:

If you want to learn more about our Tampa office and facelift procedure, please visit this page.

Benefits of Additional Procedures

For the absolute best results, many of our Sarasota and Tampa area patients decide to undergo additional procedures at the same time as their radiofrequency assisted facelift. These procedures can include:

Certain procedure combinations may not be recommended to be performed together in one session. Combining procedures does not necessarily lengthen the initial recovery period; however, slightly increased swelling during the first few days after surgery may occur. Patients that undergo laser skin resurfacing may experience skin sensitivity after treatment. This varies with skin type, procedure type, and intensity. We offer several supportive measures to help our patients recover as efficiently and as quickly as possible following surgery and/or laser skin rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Marc Salzman will always deliver the best results while keeping safety as a priority for his Sarasota and Tampa area patients.

Advantages of Undergoing Combined Procedures

Benefits of combining procedures include:

Avoiding a subsequent procedure date with additional fees incurred for facility and twilight anesthesia
Avoiding a subsequent recovery period with additional downtime for recovery
Avoiding additional time off of work or away from social activities

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Our Office

Dr. J. David Holcomb

Dr. J. David Holcomb, M.D. is a double board-certified facial plastic and cosmetic laser surgeon (American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Board of Otolaryngology) who has practiced in Sarasota, Florida since 2000. Dr. Holcomb is recognized as a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor for the specialty of plastic surgery (cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery, laser surgery).

In addition to laser surgery, Dr. Holcomb specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face and nose including brow lifts, eyelid surgery, facelifts, neck contouring, rhinoplasty, and otoplasty. He is frequently asked to perform revision cosmetic surgery. Dr. Holcomb has more than twenty years of surgical experience. Currently a member of the Florida Medical Association, Dr. Holcomb is a past president of the Sarasota County Medical Society and of the Florida Society of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has received numerous accolades.

If you would like to learn more about our facelift surgery, energy assisted facelift, neck lift, and/or vertical facelift, please contact us to schedule a consultation today.

Dr. Marc Salzman

Dr. Marc Salzman is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been practicing for over 30 years. He is originally from Miami, FL. He completed his Undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, where he was a President’s honor roll student and was selected to both Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.

He holds a patent for the development of the Ouchless Needle®. Dr. Salzman participated in the PMA breast implant studies for the FDA for both Allergan and Sientra silicone gel breast implants. He is a member of ASPS and the Aesthetic Society, where he is regularly asked to present his expertise in Plastic Surgery at both national meetings of ASPS and The Aesthetic Society.

He has published multiple peer reviewed journal articles and a book chapter in the plastic surgery literature. If you would like to learn more about our facelift surgery, energy assisted facelift, neck lift, and/or vertical facelift, please contact us to schedule a consultation today.

FaceliftFrequently Asked Questions

What is the recovery period from a facelift?

Recovery from your facelift in Sarasota will take approximately two weeks. Some bruising is likely and mild swelling is expected during the first week. These gradually diminish over several weeks. Dr. Holcomb, Dr. Marc Salzman and their staff have implemented various measures to help patients navigate the recovery process as quickly as possible. Temporary numbness of the skin in the treatment areas is expected. Many patients feel comfortable enough with their appearance to return to work as soon as 10 to 14 days after surgery.

How does a facelift impact facial expressions and muscle movement?

A well-executed facelift preserves natural facial expressions while rejuvenating the face. Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Salzman use advanced techniques to lift and reposition tissues without over-tightening, ensuring smooth, natural movement and avoiding an overly pulled appearance.

Are there non-surgical alternatives to a facelift?

Non-surgical treatments like dermal fillers and skin tightening procedures can offer temporary improvements but do not provide the same long-lasting results as a surgical facelift.