Facelift

The progression of time is inevitable, and so are the changes aging brings to your face. Gravity, environmental stressors, lifestyle choices, heredity and other factors slowly reduce skin elasticity and erase the face’s youthful contours. With time, wrinkles appear. Facial tissues lose volume and skin begins to sag. Jowls, a double chin or a so-called “turkey neck” may develop. While these are natural effects of growing older, they are often unwanted, and many men and women seek a solution. Facelift surgery can help you achieve a more youthful appearance that better reflects how young you feel inside.

WHAT BENEFITS CAN A FACELIFT PROVIDE?

Facelift surgery “turns back the clock” by improving visible signs of aging in the face and neck, including:

  • Sagging skin in the midface and/or along the jawline

  • Jowls created by loss of muscle tone

  • Loss of youthful volume from fat that has fallen or is displaced

  • Deep “laugh lines” (nasolabial folds) that extend from the nose to the corners of the mouth

  • “Marionette lines” stretching from the corners of the mouth to the chin

  • Loose skin and excess fatty deposits that create the appearance of a double chin or turkey neck

WHAT CONCERNS CANNOT BE ADDRESSED BY A FACELIFT?

Facelift surgery can achieve dramatic results, but it is not a “one-stop shop” for facial rejuvenation. A facelift specifically targets lower regions of the face and the neck, including the cheeks, midface and jawline. The procedure is not designed to address signs of aging around the eyes or forehead, to remove wrinkles or to improve the skin. These concerns are treated using different techniques that may be combined with a facelift if more comprehensive facial rejuvenation is desired. A facelift also cannot change the fundamental structure of your face. You will look like yourself after the procedure, but a refreshed and younger version.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING RECOVERY?

Every patient’s recovery experience is different. Pain is typically mild and can be managed with medications. Swelling and bruising are expected but should peak around two days after surgery. Keeping the head in an elevated position and applying cold compresses can help reduce discomfort. Patients will need to take time off work for the initial healing period and are usually advised to avoid vigorous activity. Facelift incisions are placed, so scarring is as unobtrusive as possible, hidden by the hairline and the natural creases of the ears.

It’s common to resume work and daily activities within two weeks, but it will ultimately be up to you to decide when you feel comfortable going out in public. As you return to your normal routine after a facelift, it’s crucial to keep your face protected from the sun. Your skin and scars will be vulnerable to damage from the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays. Avoid sun exposure when possible. When unavoidable, apply sunscreen regularly and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

WHAT RESULTS CAN FACELIFT SURGERY ACHIEVE?

A facelift can counteract the effects of time and gravity to restore a more youthful appearance. Your results may include:

  • Removal of loose, sagging skin

  • A lifted and more defined jawline

  • Improvement to creases around the mouth and chin

  • Reduction of excess skin and fat under the chin and on the neck

While facelift surgery cannot stop the aging process, you will continue to experience the benefits of the procedure as the years pass. Healthy lifestyle choices and ongoing sun protection can help maintain your rejuvenated appearance.

WHAT PROCEDURES COMPLEMENT A FACELIFT?

Patients undergoing facelift surgery are often candidates for other anti-aging procedures, including blepharoplasty to rejuvenate the eyes, brow lift to correct a drooping or deeply creased forehead, and neck lift to address excess skin and fat under the chin. A variety of nonsurgical procedures can further enhance the results of a facelift. These include dermal fillers, Botox and cosmetic skin resurfacing treatments.

IS FACELIFT SURGERY RIGHT FOR ME?

How you look can have a powerful impact on how you feel. Facelift surgery makes it possible to correct signs of aging that undermine self-confidence and restore a more vibrant appearance you feel good about. You may be a candidate for this surgery if you are generally healthy, you do not smoke, you have realistic goals for improvement and you desire more extensive transformation than nonsurgical methods can provide. Contact the Celestial Institute of Plastic Surgery today at 734-844-5700 to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options for facial rejuvenation.