Your face is the first impression you present to the world, and the face can often be the first area to show signs of aging. As facial aging typically cannot be covered with strategically placed clothing, many people focus their anti-aging efforts on the face. As the foundation in reversing the appearance of facial aging, facelift procedures have become increasingly popular in the field of plastic surgery.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that lifts and restores the position of the underlying facial soft tissue, removes excess skin while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, and ultimately gives you a fresh, well-rested, younger look. Plastic surgeons use a multitude of techniques to achieve gold-standard aesthetic results while meeting the specific needs of their patients.
What are the Benefits of a Facelift?
A facelift can reduce fine lines and wrinkles of the face, remove jowls to restore a smooth neckline, and replenish the youthful volume of the cheeks.
The Different Types of Facelift Procedures
There are different types of facelift procedures and adjunct surgical procedures aimed at treating the face as a whole. A qualified plastic surgeon will help you choose which procedure or procedures will give you the best appearance while maintaining a natural, youthful result.
Mini-Facelift
A mini facelift is ideal for those who have minor signs of aging, localized to the area of the midface and cheeks. This can include wrinkles around the cheek and corners of the mouth, as well as jowls. A mini facelift does not address the sagging neck tissue, often referred to as a “turkey gobble”. The mini facelift surgery is less invasive and is performed by creating smaller incisions that start in the hairline by the sideburns and stay mostly in front of the ear.
Traditional Facelift
A traditional facelift is ideal for those whose facial aging extends to the mid and lower face, as well as the neck. This combination of facelift and neck lift recreates youthful contour by restoring cheek volume, smoothing the jawline, and redefining the sharp angle of the neck. With a traditional facelift, the incision starts in the hairline by the sideburns, travels down the front of the ear, and also wraps behind the ear. A separate incision may also be needed under the chin to further define the neck.
What Procedures May be Combined with a Facelift?
Browlift
A browlift addresses the region between the eyebrows and the hairline. With aging, the eyebrow position can begin to sag and wrinkles can develop across the forehead. There are many different techniques for a browlift procedure. One such technique uses a small endoscopic camera and several small incisions that are hidden in your hairline.
Blepharoplasty
A blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. This procedure is indicated when the upper eyelids have excess loose skin that can even create “hooding” onto the eyelashes. In the lower eyelids, a blepharoplasty is appropriate when there are “bags”, wrinkles, or excess skin of the lower eyelids.
Fat Grafting
Fat grafting can be an excellent complement to most facial cosmetic procedures. This procedure uses fat from elsewhere on your body, usually your stomach, and transfers it to your face. Fat grafting allows your plastic surgeon to fill in deeper wrinkles, such as the folds between your nose and mouth or the creases under your eyes, and to restore youthful volume to the cheeks, lips or other regions.
How Long Do the Results Last?
One of the benefits of a surgical facelift is that the results will last for many years. Moreover, you can increase the longevity of your facelift by taking care of your skin with quality skincare products, minimizing your exposure to the sun, and reducing or eliminating the use of harmful substances.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
Ideally, a good candidate for a surgical facelift is someone who has moderate facial wrinkles, volume loss in the midface or cheeks, jowls, and/or loose, sagging skin of the neck. As always, a good surgical candidate is relatively healthy or has their medical conditions under control.
Choosing a Surgeon
Selecting a qualified and reputable surgeon is one of the most important decisions you can make to ensure you get expert advice and quality results that are performed safely. Straith Clinic’s Dr. William Sabbagh and Dr. Marissa Baca are both excellent plastic surgeons who will gladly answer your questions and create a customized surgical plan to fit your needs. Call Straith Clinic to schedule your consult today!
