Facelift Treatment Options: What is Facelift Treatment?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck.

How does a Facelift work?

A face-lift is the most extensive way to remove or reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of the face caused by age. In a traditional face-lift, the skin is literally lifted off the face so that the skin and the tissues beneath can be tightened and the skin repositioned over the face.

What can a Facelift treat?

Aging of the face is inevitable, over time the skin begins to loosen on the face and neck. Crow’s feet appear at the corners of the eyes. Fine forehead lines become creases and then, gradually, deeper folds.

What is a Facelift session like?

For the procedure, you are either given general anesthesia or a sedative through an intravenous line and local anesthesia to numb your skin. Next an incision that starts in the temple area and circles around the front of the ear. The skin is raised, and the muscle and tissue underneath is tightened. The skin is then redraped over the face and the incision is sutured. The incision usually falls along the hairline or in a place where the skin would naturally crease so that there are no noticeable scars surgery.

What results can be expected from a Facelift?

Your face will be bandaged after the surgery, and removed usually 1-2 days later.  If a drainage tube has been placed (usually behind the ear), it will also be removed 1 to 2 days after the surgery. Your dermatologist will remove your stitches in 5 to 10 days.

Your doctor may prescribe medicines to relieve pain after the surgery. Expect to have swelling and bruising of the face. Cold compresses can help relieve these side effects.