06/01/2026
Secondary Facelifts: When Time Marches On
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
Most secondary facelift patients are looking for refinement and rejuvenation — not a completely different appearance.
In fact, just three days ago, I performed a secondary facelift on Dr. Juris Bunkis himself!
Dr. Bunkis had undergone his original facelift approximately fifteen years ago. It served him remarkably well, and he still looked excellent for his age. However, as happens with all of us, time continued its steady march forward. Gradually, he began noticing increased neck laxity, some recurrent jowling, and loss of jawline definition. Simply put, he wanted to look a little more refreshed and rested again.
This is exactly the type of patient who may benefit from a secondary facelift.
After a facelift, patients will look ten to twenty years younger, for the rest of their lives, but the aging process continues. One of the biggest misconceptions about facelift surgery is that it somehow “wears off.” A well-performed facelift can continue to look good for ten to twenty years, but it does not stop the natural aging process. Skin continues to lose elasticity, facial tissues descend, and volume changes occur over time.
Good candidates for a redo facelift are generally healthy individuals who:
previously had a successful facelift
continue to have good skin quality
notice recurrent jowling or neck laxity
want natural rejuvenation rather than dramatic change
maintain realistic expectations
Secondary facelifts can actually be extremely satisfying procedures, but they do present unique technical challenges for the surgeon.
Scar tissue from prior surgery must be carefully managed. Hairlines and sideburns require meticulous attention so they are not pulled unnaturally high or distorted. Skin circulation may be somewhat altered from previous surgery, requiring careful tissue handling. Achieving a refreshed appearance while maintaining a completely natural look becomes even more important the second time around.
The good news is that modern facelift techniques often allow secondary procedures to heal beautifully. Recovery is frequently easier than patients expect because they already understand the process and swelling may actually be less pronounced than after the initial surgery.
At Orange County Plastic Surgery, our philosophy is never to make patients look “operated on.” The best facelift — whether primary or secondary — simply helps patients look like the best version of themselves.
And fortunately for Dr. Bunkis, despite being only three days postoperative as I write this article, he is already looking remarkably good and back at work!
If you are considering a secondary facelift, it may be time to see Dr. Ekstrom for a consultation to go over your options and come up with a plan to help you. https://orangecountyplasticsurgery.com/secondary-facelifts-when-time-marches-on/
