Facelift

Facelift (or “rhytidectomy”) is a widely known cosmetic procedure with many variations that targets at mitigating the signs of aging on the face and the neck and achieve a younger appearance. It is a method being applied for many decades in its basic form, having secured an ample level of safety and effectiveness while most of its variants have received FDA approval.

How Does Facelift Work?

Facelift is performed by removing the excessive skin through incisions made in the area which usually extents from above the hairline at the temples, continues in front of the ears and ends behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. For cases where the neck area needs to be treated, incisions could made under the chin. After that, the skin is raised; tightening and reposition of underlying tissues and muscles may or may not be necessary, depending on the case, while the unwanted fat is sculpted or redistributed from the area that is treated. After the removal or the tightening, the surgeon redraps the skin and the patient is moved into a recovery area, usually with a bandage wrapped around his / her face. Occasionally, fluid may be gathered and that may call for drainage through minor tubes beneath the skin.

Of course, the above described procedure is the standard one. That means that several variants exist, depending on the exact area, the degree of change the patient wants to achieve, his / her age, the type of incision, the type of anesthesia, the amount of invasiveness etc. Therefore, Mini lift, Lower lift, Mid lift, Thread lift, Deep Plane lift, SMAS (Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System) layer lift and other types of Facelift are available to choose from, after meticulous research and in-depth discussion with an experienced doctor.

Sometimes, a Facelift could be consolidated with a sequential eyelid surgery or other facial operations in order to accomplish a more beauteous outcome.

In any case, the end result should be the reversal of the effects of gravity and the tightening of the soft tissues of the face. Obviously, follow-up care at frequent intervals would be needed, to enable the doctor assess the patient’s progress. If performed ideally, the results of a Facelift operation should be permanent.

Apart from the surgical facelift options people should also consider some Non Surgical Necklift Alternatives (like Pelleve or Ultherapy – utilizing Radio Frequencies or Ultrasounds)!

Benefits

A Facelift can deliver a multitude of advantages:

• Upgraded skin
• Elimination of loose and sagging skin
• Smoothing of wrinkles and lines
• Tighter muscles
• Improved shape of the face and the eyes
• Rejuvenated appearance

Areas To Be Treated

The whole area including the forehead and the neck can be treated by this procedure. More specifically, and depending on the case, Facelift can be applied on:

• Midface
• Eyes and eyelids
• Mouth
• Chin
• Jaw
• Double chin

Side Effects

In general, Facelift is not a risky procedure. However, it is important to remember that complications might arise, and these are thoroughly explained by the surgeon who will conduct the operation – besides, the patient should sign consent forms declaring that he / she fully comprehends the risks related to the surgery. Some of those adverse reactions may include:

• Unfavorable scarring
• Hematoma (accumulation of blood under the skin)
• Infections
• Facial asymmetry
• Skin loss
• Numbness
• Swelling
• Fat Necrosis
• Fluid accumulation
• Pain and discomfort
• Skin contour irregularities
• Skin discoloration

Cost

According to Realself.com, the average price for Facelift is $11,025. However, massive variations can be expected due to the complexity of the procedure and the special needs of each patient.

Facelift Compared With Other Facial Cosmetic Procedures

The main difference between Facelift and operations like Botox or Juvederm is that the former aims at tightening loose facial skin and jowls, while the latter focus primarily on reducing the appearance of wrinkles beyond injections. Therefore, for younger ages, solutions like Botox may be more preferable (plus cheaper), whereas a Facelift is regarded as a more radical procedure for older persons with more long-lasting effects.

Facelift Reviews

Being a classic cosmetic procedure, Facelift has been a truly successful one too: Users’ testimonials are very favorable, with the vast majority of people who have had it performed stating that the operation has rejuvenated their face and neck, significantly tendering wrinkles and lines and undoing the effects of gravity. Nevertheless, there have been some murmurs about unsatisfactory results including asymmetry, visible scars or deformities at the ends of the incisions, which may require an additional surgery to be encountered. Finally, complaints about toilsome or slow recovery have also been reported, but luckily, medical care professionals usually come up with a series of handy guidelines on how to handle these symptoms after the surgery.

Before and After Photos

Our Advice

Facelift is definitely an effective and considerably safe operation which can notably soften the signs of aging. Yet, being just a restorative method, it does not change your fundamental appearance, neither can totally halt the aging process. With that taken into consideration, a Facelift is recommended for maturing people who are physically healthy in general, preferably non smokers and, most important of all, are realistic in what they expect from a surgical operation.