Many people may have found they can achieve a modest reduction in many signs of facial ageing by tying their long hair back into a ponytail. A similar effect can be achieved with a newly emerging facelift technique known as the ponytail facelift. A ponytail facelift is ideal for younger patients with early signs of facial ageing. Centre for Surgery in London is a centre of excellence for facelift surgery and is one of the few cosmetic surgery clinics in the UK to offer the ponytail lift.
RELATED: What are the signs of ageing in the face over time?
What is a ponytail lift?
A ponytail facelift is designed to enhance the jawline and lift the mildly sagging tissues of the upper face and brow for a more youthful look. The procedure takes between two and three hours to perform under a general anaesthetic. Recovery time after a ponytail facelift is shorter compared with a traditional facelift, with most people being able to return to their normal activities after one week. The results of a ponytail lift match those of a mini facelift and can last between 5 to 7 years.
RELATED: What is the best age for a facelift?
There are several different types of facelift surgery, including traditional facelifts, deep plane facelifts and mini facelifts. Certain types of facelift procedures are designed to target particular areas of the face, including a mid-facelift or lower facelift. Despite the different techniques of facelift surgery, the objectives of the procedure share many similarities. There is no one size fits all approach to facelift surgery, and a facelift is always customised to the needs of the individual patient. Some people may have more extensive signs of facial ageing and require a full face and neck lift to address sagging skin affecting the cheek, jowls and neck. Those with early signs of facial ageing can achieve excellent results with a minimally invasive facelift procedure designed to target the upper face, midface or lower face. A ponytail facelift could be the ideal procedure.
RELATED: Are facelift results permanent?
The ponytail facelift involves making incisions in the temple region just within the hairline or in front of it and extending towards the upper part of the ear. Compared with a traditional facelift, the ponytail lift incisions do not have around the earlobe to the back of the ear and posterior hairline. An incision beneath the chin is also not required in those who do not have signs of ageing affecting the neck. The incisions for a ponytail lift can be well hidden when performed by an expert plastic surgeon with years of experience in all types of facelift surgery. Getting the best results means spending time with your surgeon to allow detailed procedure planning and to learn about all aspects of the recovery period after a ponytail facelift.
Am I suitable for ponytail lift surgery?
If you have been learning about the benefits of a ponytail facelift and wonder if the procedure is ideal for you, we recommend booking a consultation with one of our facelift surgeons. A ponytail facelift is most suitable for women in their 30s or 40s who want to enhance the cheek and eyebrow area and have only mild features of facial ageing. Older women in their 50s and above who have established jowls and sagging neck skin are not suitable patience for a ponytail facelift and will require a traditional face and neck lift which could be a SMAS facelift or a deep plane facelift.
Ponytail facelift surgery involves making incisions which are much shorter compared with a traditional facelift which means the dissection of the deeper tissues is much more limited. The procedure can produce effective correction of the outer part of the eyebrow and the upper part of the cheek. A ponytail lift cannot address the lower part of the cheeks or jowls along the jawline in the lower part of the face. A saggy or ill-defined neckline with jowls and saggy cheeks is best treated with a deep plane facelift combined with a neck lift.
Recovery after a ponytail facelift
Compared with a full facelift, a ponytail facelift has a much shorter recovery period which in most cases it’s no more than one week. Most patients can return to desk-based work one week after ponytail facelift surgery. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia at our Baker Street clinic, which allows patients to be comfortable both during and immediately after the procedure. Your surgeon will prescribe both antibiotics and painkillers for you to take after the procedure. You should avoid any vigorous physical exercise for at least four weeks after surgery. The surgery is always customised to the needs of the individual patient, and therefore, the recovery period will differ from one patient to the other. Your surgeon will give you detailed information on what to expect during the recovery period after a ponytail facelift. It would be best if you avoid excessive sun exposure whilst your incisions are still healing, and it is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet to promote proper healing and recovery. It is important to drink plenty of water and get sufficient sleep. All types of smoking, including vaping, should be avoided as it is associated with an increased risk of postoperative wound complications.
RELATED: Facelift Recovery – top tips
Ponytail facelift surgery potential risks
As with any type of surgery involving incisions, there are certain risks associated with a ponytail lift. The risks which patients should be aware of include bleeding, infection and wound breakdown. It is normal to experience bruising and swelling at the site of surgery and may be numb for up to 6 weeks after surgery.
Ponytail facelift surgery involves much shorter incisions compared with a traditional facelift. Your surgeon will show you the location of the proposed incisions for a ponytail lift at your in-person consultation.
Ponytail facelift FAQs
Is a ponytail lift less invasive than a traditional facelift?
A ponytail lift is a minimally invasive procedure as the incisions are shorter compared with a full facelift, and the procedure is quicker to perform. It is ideal for younger patients in their 30s and 40s. Scarring is minimal after a ponytail facelift, although the results are not as significant compared to a full facelift using the deep plane technique.
What is the best age for a ponytail facelift?
Most patients who choose to have a ponytail facelift are aged in their late twenties to mid-40s and would like to achieve a refreshed and youthful appearance without the downtime and risks of a traditional full facelift.
How long do the results of a ponytail facelift last?
The results of this procedure can last between five and seven years which is similar to a mini facelift. The natural ageing process will gradually affect the results of the procedure. Many patients may choose to have a second facelift later in life to maintain a refreshed and youthful appearance.
Ponytail facelift at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery is renowned for its significant expertise in all types of facelift surgery, including deep plane facelifts and mini facelifts. The ponytail facelift is a new variant of the mini facelift and is ideal for younger women with milder features of facial ageing. Our Baker Street clinic in Marylebone is one of the most advanced cosmetic surgery clinics in the UK and many patients travel from overseas to our London Centre for highly specialised facelift surgery.
Contact us today at 020 7993 4849 or complete the contact form below to schedule an in-person consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon with expertise in facelift surgery.
