Why get a facelift?
As we age, our skin begins to loosen and sag. We may start to see deepening wrinkles around the notes and mouth and develop jowls and loose tissue at the neck. Overall, the plumpness of a youthful face begins to thin and settle lower on the face. For some, genetics, environmental exposures, and prolonged sun damage accelerate this process. A facelift, technically called a rhytidectomy can improve the appearance of an aging lower face and neck.
Choosing the facelift that's best for you
An effective facelift not only addresses lax skin, but also the deeper tissues and facial muscles underneath. Your facelift procedure will be customized for your unique facial profile and the areas you wish to treat. A plastic surgeon will calculate the appropriate angles to lift and tighten the face and neck for the most aesthetically balanced, yet natural, results.
The options you choose should begin with finding a board-certified plastic surgeon. Our Forefront surgeons know how to balance the intricate nuances of a facelift while minimizing the flattening or pleating of the skin that can happen if it is pulled too far horizontally or vertically.
Some of the procedure options that you can receive include:
Facelift and neck lift
A facelift along with a neck lift is the most comprehensive way to rejuvenate an aging face. The combined procedure can improve and restore youthful definition to the cheeks, jawline, and neck by addressing the skin, deeper soft tissues, and muscles in these areas. This form of a facelift is usually sought by patients in their 50s and up, though some younger patients may also benefit from this procedure.
If other specific aspects of the face are areas of concern for a patient, they may be corrected during facelift surgery. For example, a brow lift will fix sagging eyebrows and blepharoplasty will address laxity of the eyelids.
Non-surgical facelift or liquid facelift
A full facelift is the gold standard for facial anti-aging, but many patients prefer facial rejuvenation that is less invasive and requires minimal downtime.
Non-surgical options to consider include Ultherapy®, Renuvion® J-Plasma®, and liquid facelifts performed with injectable dermal fillers.
Your facelift consultation
At Forefront, we want our patients to be well-informed about any cosmetic procedure they are considering. At your initial consultation, you will meet your surgeon to discuss your concerns and the cosmetic goals you are hoping to achieve.
Feel free to bring example images, especially of you in your youth, to help the surgeon better understand the improvements you are looking for. After an examination, we can offer options that best fit you and your goals.
All surgical procedures, including facial surgery, carry a certain amount of risk. Your surgeon will make sure you understand the risk of any potential complications and adverse effects you may encounter.
Choosing a surgeon is a personal decision. You will have the time to ask questions and learn what to expect before, during, and after facelift surgery. Our goal is to make you comfortable with your facelift procedure.
What to expect with a facelift procedure
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, improves the most visible signs of aging by tightening deeper skin and muscular tissue structures, removing or redistributing selected areas of fat, and re-draping the skin of the face and neck.
The surgeon will make inconspicuous incisions around the ear and at the hairline. From there, they will access and reposition the lax fat, muscles, and SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) tissue to restore a more youthful contour. The overlying skin is then gently smoothed and tightened. You will not look like a different person, but simply a younger version of yourself.
Facelift surgery can take several hours, and is performed with anesthesia. Most patients spend the first night recovering at our fully accredited outpatient surgery center.
Facelift recovery
Your surgeon and our staff will provide detailed pre- and post-surgical recovery information prior to your facelift so you will know how to prepare.
We recommend resting for the first 10 to 14 days after surgery to allow healing to begin. Most people can resume a regular work and home schedule after that time period. It is best to avoid exercise and other strenuous physical activity for about four weeks after the operation.
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