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Augusta · Evans · Columbia County
A natural, rested lower face

Facelift
in Augusta, GA

★★★★★ 5.0 594 Google reviews

A facelift — or rhytidectomy — lifts and repositions the deeper tissue and sagging skin of the lower face and neck, softening jowls, deep folds, and a loose jawline. Performed by Dr. Troy Austin, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, with honest guidance on techniques, cost, and recovery.

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What is a facelift?
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Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

Lifted and natural, never tight or pulled.

Dr. Troy Austin, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon in Augusta, GA

Medically reviewed by Dr. Troy Austin, MD — double board-certified plastic surgeon ◆ Updated July 2026

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is surgery that lifts and repositions the deeper muscle layer (the SMAS) along with sagging skin of the lower face and neck — smoothing jowls, deep folds, and a loose jawline for a natural, rested result rather than a tight, pulled one. Because a modern facelift repositions the tissue underneath — not just the skin — the result looks like you, only fresher, and lasts. At Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery in Augusta, GA, Dr. Troy Austin tailors each facelift to your anatomy, from a mini, short-scar lift to a full SMAS facelift, and pairs it with a neck lift when the neck needs attention too.

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At a glance

Facelift, in brief.

What it is Surgery (rhytidectomy) that lifts and repositions the deeper SMAS layer plus sagging skin of the lower face and neck.
Treats Jowls, deep nose-to-mouth folds, a loose jawline, and sagging in the lower face.
Techniques Mini / short-scar facelift; full SMAS facelift; frequently combined with a neck lift.
Anesthesia General or IV sedation, as an outpatient.
Social Downtime About 7–10 days to feel comfortable in public; swelling settles over the first month.
Not the same as A non-surgical liquid facelift (fillers) or FaceTite — those don't lift true sag.
Provider Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Troy Austin.
Serving Augusta, Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, Columbia County GA + North Augusta & Aiken SC; fly-in patients.

Board certified

1 x

Dr. Austin is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery — the surgical judgment a natural facelift result demands.

Days, social downtime

7- 8

Most patients feel comfortable in public around 7–10 days, with swelling settling over the following weeks. An outpatient procedure.

Starting price

$ 1

A mini, short-scar facelift starts here; a full facelift is more. We give you an exact, all-in quote at consultation. Financing available.

Austin
Dr. Troy Austin, board-certified plastic surgeon and supervising physician at 7 Seas Medical Spa in Augusta, GA
Dr. Troy Austin Double board-certified
Your surgeon

A facelift is judgment, not just tightening.

The difference between a natural facelift and an obvious one is where and how much the deeper tissue is repositioned — pull the skin alone and it looks tight and wrong; reposition the SMAS correctly and it looks rested and real. That takes surgical judgment. Dr. Austin is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, completed his plastic surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia here in Augusta, and trained in general surgery at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans.

As a full plastic surgeon he plans the face as a whole — facelift, neck, eyelids, and brow together where it makes sense — and gives you a straight answer about what will actually address what’s bothering you before you ever schedule surgery.

A facelift should make you look rested, not operated on. It's about repositioning tissue naturally, not pulling skin tight. Dr. Troy Austin
Read his full bio

Credentials & affiliations

  • American Board of Plastic Surgery & American Board of Surgery
  • Fellowship — Medical College of Georgia
  • Member, ASAPS · ASPS · Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons
Is it right for you?

Jowls and a soft jawline — not just fine lines.

A facelift is for the structural sag that creams and injectables can’t reach: jowls forming along the jaw, deep folds from the nose to the mouth, a double chin, and a jawline and neck that have lost their definition. Years of Georgia sun and an active, outdoors CSRA lifestyle tend to speed that laxity along. If your concern is mainly volume loss or fine surface lines rather than sagging, Dr. Austin will tell you — a non-surgical treatment may serve you better, and he won’t sell you surgery you don’t need.

Surgical vs. non-surgical
Facelift techniques

Full, mini, or paired with the neck?

The right facelift depends on how much laxity you have and where. Here’s how the main approaches compare.

 Full (SMAS) faceliftMini / short-scarFacelift + neck lift
Best forModerate–advanced jowls & foldsEarly jowls, mild laxityJowls plus a loose, banded neck
What it liftsSMAS muscle layer + skin, lower faceSkin + limited SMAS, jawlineLower face and the neck together
IncisionsAround the ear, into the hairlineShorter, mostly around the earFacelift incisions + under the chin
AnesthesiaGeneral or IV sedationLocal + sedation or generalGeneral
Social downtimeAbout 2 weeksAbout 7–10 daysAbout 2–3 weeks

Dr. Austin matches the technique to your anatomy at consultation, and often combines a facelift with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, or a brow lift for balanced facial rejuvenation.

Surgical vs. non-surgical

Facelift, liquid facelift, or FaceTite?

A surgical facelift, a “liquid facelift,” and FaceTite solve different problems. Knowing which you need saves you money and disappointment.

A facelift lifts sagging tissue

When jowls and a loose jawline have set in, only a surgical facelift repositions the tissue and removes the excess skin. Nothing non-surgical lifts true sag.

A liquid facelift restores volume

A “liquid facelift” uses dermal fillers and injectables to restore lost volume and soften folds — a good option early, or between surgeries, but it lifts nothing and it’s temporary.

FaceTite is the middle ground

FaceTite tightens mild skin laxity with radiofrequency through a tiny incision — more than filler, less than a facelift, for the right candidate. Dr. Austin will tell you honestly which tier fits your face.

Lift, volume, or tighten?

A consultation with Dr. Austin sorts out which approach — or combination — actually fits your face and budget.

Face & neck

Does a facelift include the neck?

Not automatically — and this is one of the most common misunderstandings about a facelift.

A facelift focuses on the lower face

A facelift lifts the jowls and lower face and can improve the upper neck along the jawline. But the classic facelift is a lower-face procedure at heart.

The neck often needs its own lift

Loose neck skin, vertical bands, and fullness under the chin are usually best addressed with a dedicated neck lift, which is very frequently done at the same time as a facelift so the jawline and neck match.

Planned as one result

When both are done together, Dr. Austin plans the face and neck as a single, balanced result — and a fat transfer can restore volume in the same session where it helps.

Face and neck together. Most facelift patients add a neck lift so the jawline and neck are corrected as one.

Investment

How much does a facelift cost in Augusta?

Cost depends on the technique — a mini, short-scar lift versus a full SMAS facelift — and whether you add a neck lift or eyelid surgery. In the Augusta area, most facelift surgery ranges from $6,500 to $18,000 all-in. Your exact quote is confirmed in writing at your consultation.

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Mini / short-scar facelift $6,500 – $9,500
Full (SMAS) facelift $9,000 – $14,000
Facelift + neck lift $12,000 – $18,000
Add eyelid or brow lift Quoted together
Consultation with Dr. Austin $100

Your quote depends on the technique and anesthesia used and includes the surgery center. A facelift is very often combined with a neck lift, which is quoted together. Financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

Recovery, scars & results

Healing, scars & what lasts.

Recovery week by week

  • Days 1–3: swelling and bruising peak; keep your head elevated and rest. Arrange a ride home and help for the first day or two.
  • Days 7–10: sutures come out and most people feel comfortable in public, covering any bruising with makeup once cleared.
  • Weeks 2–4: most return to desk work and everyday life; the bulk of visible swelling settles over the first month.
  • Months 1–6: residual tightness and numbness ease and the final, natural contour settles in.

Will a facelift leave scars?

A facelift leaves fine scars placed where they hide — along the natural hairline and in the creases around the ear, with any neck incision tucked under the chin. Dr. Austin is meticulous about keeping them thin and well-concealed, and they continue to fade over the year that follows.

How long does a facelift last, and is there a “right” age?

A facelift is long-lasting — it sets the clock back years, though it can’t stop aging, so how your result holds depends on your skin, genetics, and lifestyle. There’s no single ideal age: what matters is the degree of sagging and your health, not a number. Discomfort during recovery is usually mild and well-controlled with the medication Dr. Austin prescribes.

The first two weeks do the work. Rest, head elevation, and following your aftercare keep swelling down and scars fine.

Good to know

Facelift Questions.

What is a facelift (rhytidectomy)?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is surgery that lifts and repositions the deeper muscle layer (the SMAS) along with sagging skin of the lower face and neck. It smooths jowls, deep folds, and a loose jawline for a natural, rested look — because it repositions the tissue underneath rather than just pulling skin, the result looks like you and lasts.

In the Augusta area, a mini or short-scar facelift runs about $6,500–$9,500, a full SMAS facelift about $9,000–$14,000, and a facelift combined with a neck lift roughly $12,000–$18,000. Your written, all-in quote is confirmed at consultation, and financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

A full SMAS facelift repositions the deeper muscle layer and skin to correct moderate-to-advanced jowls and folds, with about two weeks of social downtime. A mini or short-scar facelift uses shorter incisions to refresh early jowls and mild laxity along the jawline, with a quicker recovery. Which fits you depends on how much sagging you have — decided at consultation.

A facelift focuses on the lower face and jowls and can improve the upper neck along the jawline, but loose neck skin, bands, and fullness under the chin are usually best treated with a dedicated neck lift. The two are very often performed together so the jawline and neck match as one balanced result.

Only a surgical facelift lifts true sagging and removes excess skin. A “liquid facelift” uses fillers to restore volume and soften folds — helpful early or between surgeries, but temporary and non-lifting. FaceTite tightens mild laxity as a middle option. A consultation determines which tier actually fits your face.

A facelift is long-lasting and sets the clock back years, though it can’t stop the aging process. How long your result holds depends on your skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle. Many patients enjoy their result for a decade or more, and good skin care and sun protection help it last.

A facelift leaves fine scars placed where they hide — along the natural hairline and in the creases around the ear, with any neck incision tucked under the chin. They’re kept thin and well-concealed and continue to fade over the following year.

Swelling and bruising peak in the first few days and are eased by rest and keeping your head elevated. Sutures come out around 7–10 days, when most people feel comfortable in public, and the bulk of swelling settles over the first month. Any discomfort is usually mild and well-controlled with prescribed medication.

There’s no single ideal age. What matters is the degree of sagging and your overall health rather than a number — some patients are in their late 40s, many in their 50s and 60s. Dr. Austin assesses your skin, anatomy, and goals to tell you whether now is the right time.

Yes. A facelift is very often combined with a neck lift, and pairs well with eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or a fat transfer for volume, so the whole face is refreshed in balance. Dr. Austin plans any combination as a single result during your consultation.

Service area

Serving Augusta and the wider CSRA.

Our practice sits just off River Watch Parkway in Augusta, minutes from Evans and Martinez and a straight shot from I-20. Patients come to us from across Columbia and Richmond counties and from across the Savannah River in South Carolina for their facelift.

Prefer to start from home? Virtual consultations are available, a convenient first step before you travel to Augusta.

See directions & drive times
Augusta
Evans
Martinez
Grovetown
Columbia County
Hephzibah
Harlem
Appling
North Augusta, SC
Aiken, SC
Thomson
Waynesboro

Traveling to Augusta for a facelift?

Patients travel to Dr. Austin from across Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond. Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is roughly 20 minutes from our surgery center, and our team helps out-of-town patients coordinate scheduling and follow-up. Men can explore the male facelift as well.

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Patient experiences

What our patients say.

5.0 Based on 594 Google reviews
Ratings and reviews from Google Maps

From my initial consultation through my procedure, my experience was nothing short of exceptional. Every step of the process was informative, professional, and reassuring. Dr. Austin and his entire staff were incredibly patient, attentive, and always willing to answer any questions I had. The level of customer service and hospitality exceeded my expectations. Everyone made me feel comfortable, valued, and confident in my decision throughout the entire journey. Dr. Austin’s expertise, compassion, and dedication to his patients are truly remarkable. I feel extremely blessed to have had Dr. Austin as my surgeon and would highly recommend him and his facility to anyone considering a procedure. Thank you for providing such outstanding care and an amazing experience.

I had an amazing experience with Dr. Austin and the entire staff during my implants exchange procedure. From the very beginning, everyone made me feel safe, comfortable, and truly cared for. Dr. Austin was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to answer all of my questions, which gave me so much confidence throughout the process. The staff was kind, supportive, and welcoming every step of the way. I’m very grateful for the excellent care I received and highly recommend Dr. Austin and his team!.

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Austin and his team!!! From the time you walk in until the time you leave they make you feel like the only patient in the building. Dr. Austin is truly wonderful. Before surgery my consult was very thorough and he answered every question I had. The medical staff and Dr. Austin made surgery day and recovery a breeze. The surgery center is immaculate with wonderful pre and post op staff which was important to me as a nurse myself. Having my surgery with Dr. Austin and his team was the best decision I ever made. Book that consultation and surgery!!! You will NOT regret it. I have never been happier with my body and my confidence is back!

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Visit us

In Augusta — and worth the drive.

Our surgery center sits just off River Watch Parkway, an easy drive from Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and Columbia County, plus North Augusta and Aiken across the river. Many patients travel from across Georgia and the Southeast; Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is close by, and our team helps out-of-town patients coordinate every visit.

Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery

225 Cooper Ct
Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 854-2080
Mon–Thu 8:30am – 5:00pm · Fri 8:30am – 2:00pm

Approx. drive times

  • Martinez, GA 7 min
  • Evans, GA 11 min
  • Downtown Augusta, GA 17 min
  • North Augusta, SC 17 min
  • Grovetown, GA 22 min
  • Aiken, SC 38 min
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A natural, more rested version of your own face is closer than you think. Let's talk.

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★★★★★ 5.0 594 Google reviews