Getting the Best Facelift

Not all faces begin to show signs of age at the same rate. Heredity, environmental and lifestyle factors have a large effect on our facial appearance, as we grow older.

However, starting at around age forty, most faces begin to undergo a change.  Features begin to sag as the muscles become weaker and the skin less elastic.  Wrinkles and lines begin to form, becoming more apparent on the forehead, near the eyes and around the mouth and neck.   The jaw line can disappear into an excess of fat, and droopy skin.

The most effective way to reverse these obvious signs of aging is with a facelift (Rhytidectomy).

Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery is designed to treat the face as a whole.

During a facelift, the skin and underlying musculature are tightened; excess skin and fat are removed. A facelift involves making incisions around the jaw, hairline, or ears to pull back and tighten the facial skin.

The whole face is, in essence, lifted, smoothed, and made more youthful-looking.

In certain situations, an additional procedure, such as rhinoplasty can be performed at the same time as the facelift.

Facelifts come in several types, based on the extent of work being done: the Mini Facelift, the Mid-face Lift, and the Traditional Facelift.
 

Mini Facelift

The Mini Facelift is sometimes called the “weekend facelift” because the procedure is relatively short and less invasive than the other two types of facelifts. 

During a mini facelift, only specific areas will be targeted, not the face as a whole. Your surgeon may address the neck and jowl area (mini neck lift), or concentrate on the part of the face that includes the cheeks and lower eyelids (mini facelift). 

The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, often under local anesthesia and takes from one to two hours. 

Mid-Face lift

A mid-face lift, refreshes the area of the face between the upper lip and the lower eyelid, improving deep smile lines and sagginess of the cheeks.

As we get older, the fatty tissue that drapes over the cheekbones can begin to drop and sag.  The cheekbones become less prominent as the cheek fat gives in to gravity’s pull.   This can also accentuate any bagginess of the lower eyelids.

Frequently a mid-face lift is done in conjunction with another cosmetic surgery procedure, such as lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) or a rhinoplasty.

Mid-face lift surgery is normally performed on an outpatient basis.

A mid-face lift is a shorter operation than a full facelift and has a faster recovery time.
 

The Traditional Facelift

The traditional facelift addresses the face as a whole, from brow to chin, including jowl line and neck. 

Some of the problems a traditional facelift addresses are:

*  Mid-face sagging in the area of the cheeks

*  Deep creases along the sides of the nose extending down to the corners of
   the mouth

*  Creases, puffiness or “bags” below the lower eyelids

*  Loss of tone with drooping fat and skin around the jaw line

The healing and recovery period from a full facelift can be from a week to several weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery and the response of the individual patient.  Most patients can return to non-physically strenuous work within ten days to two weeks.

You will have follow-up appointments with your surgeon to check the progress of your healing.

The Best Facelift Surgeon

The best facelift surgeon is one who is experienced and board certified in all aspects of cosmetic surgery.  He will be able to show you before and after photos of surgeries he’s personally performed and help you understand what to expect, and the real benefits and risks of the procedure.