Facelift
What is a Facelift Procedure?
Types of Facelifts
Why the Facelift?
What Conditions Can a Facelift help?
Steps to getting your procedure
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost of Procedure
Procedure

Facelift

Rhytidectomy, commonly referred to as a facelift, is a medical procedure designed to improve the looks of the face by pulling the skin and tissues beneath it tighter, as well as repositioning them. This operation ordinarily focuses on the lower part of the face and neck, and usually requires incisions in the area of the ears and underneath the chin. Depending on the individual's needs and the methods employed by the doctor, the procedure may also involve eliminating any surplus skin and fat, and firming up the deeper tissues to increase the overall structure of the face. It may take up to several weeks for the patient to get back to their daily activities after the surgery.

What is a Facelift Procedure?

Facelift surgery is a cosmetic procedure to help counteract the signs of aging by tightening the deep tissues beneath the cheeks, jaws, and neck. The procedure aims to reduce drooping or sagging skin around the lower region of the face and neck. 

The facelift procedure is often combined with other surgical procedures, such as brow lift, eyelid surgery, fat grafting, lip lift, chin implants, or rhinoplasty. I’m

A facelift does not help correct damage from sun exposure, such as pigment changes, fine lines or wrinkles. Non-surgical treatments, such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser skin resurfacing of the face, are sometimes undertaken simultaneously with the facelift. These treatments aim to treat sun-damaged skin, crow’s feet around the eyes, and fine lines around the mouth which are outside the scope of facelift surgery.

Plastic surgeons often recommend facelift surgery to patients experiencing sagging or loose skin in different parts of the face, including the cheeks, the mouth area, or the jaw. 

Other patients who can be candidates for a facelift are those who have:

  • Deep wrinkles underneath the lower lids

  • Deep wrinkles in the nasolabial fold or under the nose and around the mouth

  • Sagging skin in the lower face as a result of significant weight loss

  • The presence of excess fat deposits and loose skin underneath the jaw and chin (double chin), even with normal weight

Facelift surgery typically includes many steps in order to rejuvenate multiple layers of the facial structure. Simple, short-scar facelifts may be appropriate for younger patients who only need a moderate skin removal and minimal tightening of the upper neck. Older patients with more prominent signs of facial aging may need work on the deep muscle tissues, the fat plane, and the skin. This can include fat removal, repositioning or even augmentation with fat grafting, as well as deep sutures (and sometimes mesh materials) to pull on the sagging muscle support layer. The surgeon uses sutures to elevate the supporting facial layers of the face and neck, and then the skin is repositioned after removing the excess mass. 

The facelift surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia, or a combination of both, and lasts for a few hours. 

Ask your Plastic Surgeon for more information on the planned anesthesia approach. Your medical team will ask you about your medical history and allergies (if any), as well as any prior surgery and history of anesthesia-related complications and smoking. 

Facelift surgery is a highly individualized procedure. Plastic surgeons assess your cosmetic goals and general health and plan a customized treatment for you. Facelift treatment is best for those without acute or chronic health issues. Smoking is a life-altering threat for the patients undergoing facelift surgery and complete abstinence from nicotine for several weeks before and after surgery is necessary.

The facelift procedure is not suitable for you if you:

  • are unable to have anesthesia

  • are unable or unwilling to stop using nicotine

  • have poor healing or high risk of heavy bleeding

  • are at a high risk of developing surgical complications

Types of Facelifts

  • Which Facelift is Right for You?

    A facelift is a cosmetic procedure that can help enhance the appearance of the face by reducing signs of aging and rejuvenating the skin. There are several types of facelift procedures, including a traditional facelift, mini facelift, and thread facelift, among others. The right facelift procedure for you will depend on your specific concerns and goals, as well as the condition of your skin and underlying facial structure. A full facelift is typically recommended for individuals with more advanced signs of aging. In contrast, a mini facelift may be a good option for those with milder skin laxity. A thread facelift is a minimally invasive alternative that can help lift sagging skin using temporary sutures. These procedures can offer a range of benefits, including a more youthful appearance, improved skin texture and tone, and enhanced self-confidence. It is essential to consult with a plastic surgeon to determine the best facelift procedure for you and to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of each option.

  • Full facelift

    A full facelift is a surgical operation used to improve the look of the face by tightening and repositioning the skin and underlying tissue. It is usually done to correct moderate to severe sagging of the facial skin. Incisions are sometimes made in the hairline and near the ears during the procedure. It is also referred to as a traditional facelift and is used to combat the signs of aging, like wrinkles, sagging skin, and the loss of facial volume. This type of facelift is mainly used to address sagging in the cheeks and midface area, the lower face, jowls, jawline, and occasionally the neck.

  • Mini lift

    If you're looking to get a facelift with fewer incisions and not as much skin being taken off, then a mini facelift may be the right option for you. It is still a serious cosmetic technique, however, that necessitates either general or local anaesthesia being administered. The doctor will then make small cuts around your ears and hairline, before adjusting and lifting the underlying tissue and removing any extra skin. Once they are done, they will use sutures to close the incisions. Even though it is a mini facelift, it is still an invasive operation and comes with the risks of bleeding, infections and scarring, just like any other surgery.

Facelift

Why the Facelift?

While other facial rejuvenation procedures are a rapid solution to fill fine lines and wrinkles, they can't correct hanging skin. They are also not permanent. Usually, people who get Botox return for another treatment within a year or two or after the effects diminish. In contrast, your facelift may continue to produce better results for ten or more years. Despite the guaranteed results, some patients opt for touch-ups after the procedure to enhance their look even more. Once you begin working with a plastic surgeon, they can advise whether or not you need a touch-up procedure to maintain your look.

Many people let aging take its course and undergo a facelift after their 60s. The results are excellent, but due to a lot of tissue repositioning and adjustment, their downtime is usually more extended than the younger people undergoing the same procedure. Compared to younger people, the facelift in older people takes them almost 20 years back in time resulting in dramatic outcomes. 

Besides older people, the facelift is also the best anti-aging option for young people. Once they hit their 40s, the first signs of aging start appearing; at this time, a mini facelift is recommended because it is less invasive than a full scale extensive surgery.

Due to its innumerable benefits, it's easy to understand why the facelift procedure is drawing the attention of so many people.

  • Tight and Youthful Skin
  • Long Lasting Results
  • Rejuvenating Look
  • Smooth Skin
  • Sharper Jawline

What Conditions Can a Facelift help?

The facelift is a surgical procedure to reverse the signs of aging by repositioning the facial tissues and removing excess fat or muscles. As we age, our skin sags, and we get deep creases and folds between the nose and corners of the mouth. It happens at varied rates from person to person because it mostly depends on the genes. But sun exposure, daily life fatigue, gravitational effect, or drastic weight loss also make us look older than our age. Facelifts are restorative and cosmetic procedures that help rejuvenate facial appearance but cannot permanently stop aging. Facelift surgeries are highly individualized and unique to the patient's face and desired outcomes. Therefore, a thorough and open dialogue with your surgeon before the surgery is always recommended. :

  • Sagging appearance

    For many people, sagging jowls are one of the most prominent yet frustrating age-related concerns. Besides genetic factors, lack of collagen production in the body, weak skin fibers, and gravity contribute to developing sagging skin. If you have sagging skin on the cheeks and neck, you may target those areas with the facelift. Facelift surgery is the most enduring and effective skin-tightening solution for men and women with sagging jowls.

  • Excess skin

    Loose and flabby skin is the most prominent hallmark of aging. Excess skin removal helps people lose unwanted weight and enhance their appearance. Facelift surgery may help you eliminate excess loose skin and creases and regain a more toned facial appearance by removing them.

  • Deep skin folds

    If you have sagging skin around your mouth or deep skin folds around the nose due to aging, it can't snap back to where it used to be. Over time, the elasticity of your skin decreases. At this time, a facelift is the most viable option, with surprisingly long-lasting and astonishing results. The facelift is a quick and durable fix for skin folds that make you look old.

Steps to getting your procedure

Step 1

Research

Step 2

Matching with a doctor

Step 3

Getting financing

Step 4

Booking a consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Mostly, yes. Patients may see positive changes to their facial profile right after the procedure. However, minor bruising and swelling subside within a couple of weeks. Patient’s face looks more youthful and toned, and more than 75% of patients are reported to look 10 years younger than their actual age. A facelift usually lasts for 7 to 10 years. Since facelifts don't stop the aging process, some patients repeat the procedure down their anti-aging journey to enhance their looks even more. Others do not feel they need another facelift. In short, it is the most convenient and long-lasting way to reverse aging signs.

A. When a facelift is performed, the incisions are made along the hairline so that the resulting scars are not very visible. If a neck lift is also done, an incision is made along the natural creases in the chin, but this too is usually well hidden. Different hairstyles and makeup can be used to conceal the minor scars and bruises for a couple of weeks until they eventually fade away.

A. Facelift surgery is done with local or general anesthesia. However, after the effect of anesthesia fades away, patients usually feel their lower face and neck sore and tight for the first few days. Doctors prescribe painkillers to help ease discomfort and the sensation of fullness. Avoiding laborious exercises and taking a couple of weeks off work is recommended to allow the face to heal. Also, using cold packs on the face significantly helps deal with swelling. However, recovery time varies from patient to patient.

A. Many people with obvious acne marks and blemishes have observed that stretching their skin with their fingers eliminates the scars, making them think that a facelift would have a similar effect. Facelift surgery helps in flattening and smoothing out the skin, and it can lessen acne scars. The purpose of facelift surgery is to generate a natural tightness. It can also help to alleviate mild acne scarring. Additionally, for some, the physical removal of the skin may help remove some acne scars completely. Deep-rooted acne scars are difficult to stretch or smooth out using facelift surgery.

Cost of Procedure

According to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average facelift cost is $8,005. Most health insurance plans don't cover cosmetic surgical procedures or related complications in their list of services. Before deciding the budget for a facelift, the surgeon's experience and the patient's comfort with him should be the top priority. A surgeon's fee for the facelift is usually based on their experience and the geographic location of the surgeon's office. This average cost, however, is only a portion of the entire cost – it does not include operating room facilities, anesthesia, or other related expenditures. Surgical costs may include the following: 1- Hospital or surgical facility costs 2- Medical tests 3- Post-surgery dressings 4- Prescriptions for medicines 5- Surgeon's fee 6- Anesthesia provider’s fee. Review your health insurance plan carefully before getting facelift surgery. The surgeon’s office will provide an itemized quotation at your initial consultation once you dialogue openly with them about your facial anatomy and the desired outcomes.