A facelift is also known as a rhytidectomy or rhytidoplasty. A facelift is a broad category which refers to a number of procedures that will change the look of the upper face and lower face, including cheeks, jowls, and neck. The procedure entails incisions placed in front of and behind the ear.
A facelift surgery is mainly popular for being able to stop the ageing process, at least when it comes to the aesthetic aspect. A facelift is a surgical procedure that involves facial skin tightening to remove those wrinkles, and give the face a younger look.
Even though no one is able to reverse time, signs of ageing can be prevented by removing any trace of excess fat and skin and straighten the facial muscles. This intervention can be performed as an individual operation or in combination with other similar procedures, such nose reshaping or eyelid surgery.
FACELIFT AT A GLANCE
Anaesthesia type: ClearSleep
Procedure time: 3-4 hours
Recovery time: 1 week
There are many benefits to undertaking a facelift, including:
- Skin tightening: Loose facial skin can make a person appear a lot older than they actually are, while taut facial skin is a sign of youthful vitality. The latest facelift techniques can completely remove loose skin from the lower face and neck creating a more revitalised appearance
- Wrinkle reduction: The appearance of wrinkles can be reduced when the skin is tightened during the facelift process.
- Repositioning of facial fat: At times a facial contour that is undesirable is a result of fat deposits in the face. Our surgical technique includes repositioning of fat deposits to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing facial contour. Facial fat grafting can also be performed to create extra volume.
Eyelid surgery is the most common surgical procedures for facial rejuvenation. It can also be combined with a facelift. Facelifts are performed with blepharoplasty in about 70% of all cases. While a facelift focuses on the cheeks, jowls and neck area, eyelid surgery addresses other issues that may affect your appearance.
Reasons for having eyelid surgery in conjunction with a facelift include:
- Puffiness around the eyes that make you look older than you actually are.
- Hooded eyelids that make you look fatigued, even if you are full of energy.
- Hooded eyelids that are affecting your eyesight and your ability to see
- Sagging skin and wrinkles under the eyes.
There are two types of blepharoplasty surgeries. Depending on your needs and goals, you may need one or both performed:
- Upper Blepharoplasty. Surgery on the upper eyelid involves the removal of excessively stretched skin that can cause multiple wrinkles or hooding on the eyelash line. If there is an underlying droopiness of the lid, a muscle repair can be performed through the incision at the same time.
- Lower Blepharoplasty. During surgery on the lower eyelid, the surgeon will redistribute the fat within the lower eyelid, which removes the appearance of bags and under-eye puffiness. By addressing these problems at the same time as a facelift, a greater portion of the face can be rejuvenated, providing a more enhanced appearance. Another procedure that can be employed is a brow lift, in order to minimise wrinkles on the forehead. The best way to determine if this procedure is appropriate in conjunction with a facelift is to discuss it with our surgeons during your consultation.
The best candidates for a facelift procedure are men and women with a face and neck that are starting to look older, but with an elastic skin and a very well defined bone structure. Even though most patients are around 40 to 60, facelift can be successfully performed in patients between 70 and 80 as well.
A facelift with our surgeons will restore a more youthful appearance, helping to correct many of the visible signs of ageing in the face and neck area. Reasons for having a facelift include:
- Sagging in the mid-face area
- Deep creases below the lower eyelids
- Deep creases along the nose extending down to the corner of the mouth
- Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin area, resulting in a “double chin” or “turkey neck”
- Facial fat that is displaced or drooping, creating exaggerated jowls
There are other factors that help determine if you are a good candidate for facelift surgery, including:
- Good health: You should be in good health and be free of any major medical conditions prior to your surgery. This is key for proper healing and recovery after your procedure.
Most importantly, you should have realistic expectations about your goals for surgery. Ideally, you want to look like a revitalised, refreshed version of yourself. The best way to determine if you’re a candidate for a facelift is to schedule a consultation with one of our specialist facial surgeons.
There are various facelifts which you can choose to undertake. These include:
- The full facelift: the patient will have excess skin on the face and jaw lifted, pulled back and trimmed, giving them a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.
- The mid facelift: this lifts the eyelids and cheek area. Patients often choose to combine this procedure with a mini facelift.
- The mini facelift: targets the lower third of the face, tightening excess skin from the cheeks, jowls and neck.
Necklift surgery is a surgical procedure commonly used to tighten and smooth out neck skin which makes you look more youthful, radiant and relaxed. Sometimes neck liposuction is performed at the same time to enhance the results further.
A large, soft dressing will be taped in place on the face. These first dressings are extremely important and should be left in place for the exact duration recommended by the surgeon, usually a day or two. It can then be removed and replaced by an elastic covering that will help to contain and reduce swelling.
You will experience some swelling and bruising for 24 to 48 hours following the surgery but it is part of the healing process and it should lessen within two weeks. We recommend our patients to try cold compression on the face to aid with the swelling and bruising.
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What does the facelift procedure involve?
The traditional facelift is performed by making an incision on the hair or hairline which is used to lift, pull back and trimexcess skin to create a tightened appearance.
Whereas the mini facelift surgery has a smaller incision along the hairline and in front of the ears with which the plastic surgeon tightens fibrous tissues under the skin.
Am I a good candidate for facelift?
A facelift is offered to both men and women with most patients aged between 40-60, the time when most people start seeing signs of ageing. Nevertheless, the procedure can also be successfully performed on people aged between 70-80.
Full facelift or mini facelift, which option is right for me?
The right option for you can be determined by looking at the area of the neck. Mini facelift is ideal for people who have minimal issues on the face and neck area and do not expect to see drastic changes. However, if you wish to get rid of as many signs of ageing as possible with visible results, then facelift is a better option.
How do I prepare for my facelift surgery?
Quit smoking ideally few weeks before your procedure. Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can cause bleeding.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure can take up to three hours for completion.
Is the procedure going to be painful?
Most people do not feel any pain throughout the procedure while there are few who might feel mild pain and pain medication can be taken to reduce any discomfort.
Will I be left with scars?
Scars are unavoidable when incisions are made, however, because the incision for facelift is made within natural folds found in the front, inside and behind your ears there won’t be any visible scarring. At Centre for Surgery, we use the finest sutures that will make the scars fade away.
Are there any risks assosiated with the procedure?
There are rarely any major risks associated with facelift other than the most common potential risks such as bleeding, scarring, infection and poor healing. With maximum safety optimisation, these risks can be completely avoided.
Will I experience swelling and bruising after the surgery?
You will experience some swelling and bruising for 24 to 48 hours following the surgery but it is part of the healing process and it should lessen within two weeks. We recommend our patients to try cold compression on the face to aid with the swelling and bruising.
What is the recovery like?
A large, soft dressing will be taped in place on the face. These first dressings are extremely important and should be left in place for the exact duration recommended by the surgeon, usually a day or two. It can then be removed and replaced by an elastic covering that will help to contain and reduce swelling. Cold compression is recommended to help reduce the swelling and bruising.
What results can I expect after my facelift surgery? How long does it last?
The results of facelift surgery are long-lasting, however, the ageing process cannot be stopped and will affect it making it difficult to tell how long the results will last as everyone ages differently.
Are there any limitations to the results I can achieve?
Unfortunately, a facelift cannot stop the ageing process and neither can it change the quality of your skin. Nevertheless, a facelift can give you a younger and refreshed appearance after the procedure.
I have sunburns, can facelift help get rid of it?
Unfortunately sun damaged skin cannot be treated with facelifts, however, we do offer skincare treatments that can help.