Facelift
As the body begins to age, the face begins to lose its elasticity, and develop more tired, droopy skin as well as losing fat and muscle tone. A facelift is the surgical method to remove excess skin and lift the skin and muscles of the face. The technical name for a facelift is a Rhytidectomy, which literally means the removal of wrinkles. While a face lift does not necessarily remove all wrinkles it does have the ability to remove excess skin, tighten muscles and lift the skin and muscles for a more youthful, rejuvenated look. According to studies, facelifts are in the top ten of most requested cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States. Facelifts will achieve a more youthful appearance and are reported to last about 10 years.
Different styles of facelifts are available depending on the type of incision, number of tissue layers treated, and how invasive the procedure is. Deep plan lifts, treat underlying layers and muscles for a dramatic change, with the longest benefit. The subperiosteal lift is when the tissue on the bone is lifted for change in facial appearance. This lift is also done with facial implants. The skin lift facelift, repositions the surface layers of the skin, giving off a more subtle change to the face. And the mini lift, sometimes called the S lift, is for those who are not yet ready for the true full facelift.
A traditional lift, has inconspicuous incisions are made from the front of the ear and extend up into the hairline. These same lifts may have incision lines to the nape of the neck, also within the hairline. The skin is separated from the deep tissues where the muscles can be tightened or excess tissue can be removed. Skin is then repositioned over the face and then closed with sutures or staples. This surgical procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia or deep twilight sleep (conscious sedation). Complications that can occur are hematoma (bleeding), facial nerve damage, necrosis of skin flaps or infections. Side effects include swelling and bruising which can often take several months to dissipate and up to 6 months for suture lines to mature.
Facelifts are often done in conjunction with other procedures for more satisfied results. Some of these additional procedures include neck lift, blepharoplasty, liposuction of chin, fat transfer, brow lift, facial implants, dermal fillers or chemical peels. As with any surgical procedure, discuss your concerns and your options with your certified physician to find out if the facelift is right for you. |
