Facial Plastic Surgery · Dr. Susan Tan, MD ABFPRS

Facelift in Honolulu

As we age, changes in facial appearance are among the most visible — and they can significantly affect how we feel. Dr. Susan Tan is double board-certified and offers the most natural-looking facelift Honolulu has available. Her exceptional surgical precision and patient-centered approach work beautifully together to restore your appearance without changing the way you look.

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ABFPRS Board Certified Fellowship-Trained · University of Toronto Castle Connolly Top Doctor 2026 Only Female Facial Plastic Surgeon in Honolulu

A Specialist’s Perspective

Facelift Surgery is More Art and Science — and Dr. Tan Excels at Both

Advanced facelift techniques have transformed what’s possible in facial rejuvenation — and Dr. Tan is ahead of the curve. As a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon board-certified through the ABFPRS, her entire career has been concentrated in the face and neck. She has performed hundreds of facelifts over 17 years of practice — exclusively in this specialty.

A facelift is best when it restores your youthful appearance without changing the way you look. You want people to notice you look younger — without realizing you’ve seen a facial plastic surgeon. That is the standard Dr. Tan holds every result to.

What’s most beneficial about Dr. Tan’s approach is her personalized philosophy. She is caring, thorough, methodical, and precise — treating each patient as an individual. While a facelift addresses all facial aging concerns, she keeps the focus on your needs and priorities throughout the process.

Why Choose Dr. Tan

Dr. Susan Tan, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon specializing in facelift surgery

What a Facelift Can Address

Facelift Surgery Reverses the Most Visible Signs of Facial Aging

Living in Oahu, the strong tropical sun can accelerate the natural aging process. A facelift addresses the structural changes that accumulate — not just the surface.

Loss of Facial Muscle Tone

As facial muscles weaken and descend with age, the face loses definition. A facelift restores structural support to the midface and lower face.

Jowls and Jawline Sagging

Jowling is one of the most common aging concerns — and one of the most effectively addressed by facelift surgery. Dr. Tan restores a clean, defined jawline.

Sagging Cheeks

Descent of the midface creates a flattened, aged appearance. A facelift — particularly the deep plane approach — restores the natural cheek projection of youth.

Deep Nasolabial Folds

The deep creases that run from nose to mouth become more fixed over time. Lifting the underlying tissue — not just the skin — addresses these most effectively.

Neck Laxity and Banding

Loose skin, excess fat, and visible platysmal bands in the neck are frequently addressed alongside a facelift — the most common combination Dr. Tan performs.

Under-Eye Changes

While blepharoplasty specifically addresses the eyelid area, combining it with a facelift addresses the full picture of facial aging — upper and lower together.

Surgical Options

Facelift Surgical Procedures — What Are the Options?

Dr. Tan offers patients options in advanced facelift surgical techniques. Modern facelifting improves your appearance without the pulled look of old-fashioned methods — because they consider underlying facial structure and restore it with longer-lasting results. No two patients are alike — you’ll be carefully evaluated medically and aesthetically before a recommendation is made.

Deep Plane Facelift — The Gold Standard

Deep plane facelifts are the most surgically advanced technique — tightening the face and neck by lifting vertically at the deepest structural layer. The deep plane approach addresses the SMAS, tackling wrinkles, loss of skin tone, and sagging jowls. Results appear natural, with no scarring, fewer irregularities, and greater longevity than skin-only techniques.

SMAS Facelift

SMAS facelifts are popular and widely used because they lift both the surface skin and the underlying muscular layers simultaneously. The lift is vertical and avoids the worked-on look that patients want to avoid. Dr. Tan employs various SMAS techniques — each one takes years off the look of your face with fewer wrinkles, more youthful skin tone, and naturally tighter jowls.

Mini Facelift in Honolulu

Some patients — often younger — benefit from a mini facelift to address early signs of aging. It improves skin on the lower half of the face through tiny incisions near the ear, improving jaw definition and upper neck appearance. It may include liposuction and is often ideal for patients in their 40s and 50s. The improvements can be substantial despite the name.

Facelift with Neck Lift

The most comprehensive combination — addressing the lower face, jawline, and neck together. Dr. Tan’s most frequent surgical combination, because the face and neck age as a unit and are most effectively rejuvenated together. Platysmal banding, neck laxity, and excess submental fat are all addressed in a single surgical session.

Candidacy

Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?

Anyone whose face shows signs of aging — sagging skin, wrinkles, loss of volume, or less jawline definition — can consider a facelift. To qualify, you should refrain from smoking, be healthy enough for elective surgery, and have realistic expectations.

Most patients seeking facelifts are in their 50s and 60s, but it varies by individual — some are in their 30s or 40s. Bodies age at different rates. The best way to find out what a facelift can do for you is to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Tan.

Although a facelift is a surgical procedure underpinned by medical knowledge, success depends on a mastery of facial aesthetics. Dr. Tan uses state-of-the-art imaging technology and the most advanced methods to understand your face and deliver natural-looking results.

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Facelift Recovery Timeline

Day After Head bandage and drains removed at post-operative visit

Days 2–3 Keep head elevated including while sleeping to minimize swelling

Days 5–7 Sutures removed. Swelling and bruising significantly reduced

Days 7–10 Can run errands cautiously with sunglasses on

Weeks 3–5 Most patients resume most normal activities

Long-Term Results last 10–15 years. Conservative estimate — many last longer

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Choosing Your Surgeon

Choosing a Facial Plastic Surgeon in Honolulu for Your Facelift

Entrusting something as important as your appearance to a surgeon is a significant decision. Dr. Tan is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and is among the top-rated and most trusted facelift surgeons in Honolulu. Her skills, knowledge, and techniques are second to none.

A unique combination of experience, medical knowledge, and understanding of facial aesthetics sets Dr. Tan apart. She carefully views each patient’s needs individually and strives to produce natural-looking results every time. Her dual board certifications represent a commitment to patient care and excellence.

It’s always wise to have a comfort level with your surgeon — which is why Dr. Tan encourages patients to schedule an initial consultation. You’ll meet her, get to know more about her approach, and learn about the facelift procedures available to you.

Selecting a facial plastic surgeon for your facelift involves your comfort level with the physician, their experience, board-certifications, and transparency with pricing.

Dr. Tan is double board-certified through the ABFPRS — the only board-certification in the United States that requires a dedicated facial plastic surgery fellowship as a prerequisite. She has performed hundreds of successful facelift procedures and practices with advanced techniques that produce natural-looking results every time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Facelift in Honolulu — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about facelift surgery with Dr. Tan. For questions specific to your anatomy and goals, the answer begins with a private consultation.

What Happens During a Facelift Consultation?

Your initial facelift consultation at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery is the first opportunity to meet Dr. Tan. During the consultation, you can discuss your goals, ask questions, and learn about your options. You can also see before and after images that demonstrate the natural-looking results Dr. Tan achieves. Dr. Tan uses advanced facial scanners to take 3D images of your face — assisting in developing a surgical plan and helping you understand what improvements she can achieve. It’s an informational session, and there is never any pressure to undergo a procedure.

How Long Will Facelift Results Last?

The results from a surgical facelift are long-lasting. A conservative estimate is 10 to 15 years — and for many people, the results last considerably longer. A facelift recontours your facial tissue, removes excess skin, and restores structural support where needed. Nonsurgical alternatives using dermal fillers are less permanent and need to be repeated periodically, typically within 12 to 18 months.

What Will I Do on the Day of My Facelift?

For surgical facelifts, the day begins with an early-morning consultation. Dr. Tan will go over your surgical plan and answer any last-minute questions. Facelifts are performed under general anesthesia. Because your facial structure will be repositioned, you’ll have incisions, sutures, and possibly drains to prevent excess fluid buildup.

What is the Recovery Process Like After a Facelift in Honolulu?

Everyone’s recovery is unique, but it may be easier than expected. The day after surgery, your head bandage and drains are removed. For the first few days, keep your head elevated — including while sleeping — to minimize swelling. Sutures are removed at 5–7 days. Swelling and bruising are reduced enough within 7–10 days that you can go out cautiously with sunglasses. After 3–5 weeks, most patients resume most normal activities. Give yourself ample time to heal — everyone recovers at a different rate.

Can a Nonsurgical Facelift Help Me?

Nonsurgical facelifts using dermal fillers, Botox, and other products can improve your appearance immediately. Although the results are temporary, many patients choose them — and Dr. Tan brings her expertise to your individual needs. Nonsurgical options can add volume, restore jawline definition, and smooth deep lines. Unlike surgical procedures that produce long-lasting results, nonsurgical facelifts need to be repeated periodically to maintain improvement.

Where Can I Get a Facelift in Honolulu?

Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery is located at 1150 S. King St., Suite 504, Honolulu, HI 96814 — easily accessible from anywhere in Oahu. Parking is available on Young Street at the Eleven50 parking structure in the Atlas Building. The practice is by appointment only. Call (808) 636-9084 or use our online contact form to schedule your consultation.

Ready to find out more about facelift services in Honolulu?

Every patient relationship begins with an honest, unhurried conversation with Dr. Tan personally — never with an assistant or a coordinator. She will examine your anatomy, explain your options, and tell you exactly what she recommends and why.

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