A facelift is an excellent option for men and women who want to reduce sagging facial skin. Facial plastic surgeons make incisions that start at your hairline and extend behind your ears to perform the procedure. They then reposition and remove excess tissue for a firmer, more youthful appearance.
A facelift can correct various cosmetic concerns caused by aging, dramatic weight loss, or sunlight exposure.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
When fine lines and wrinkles are present on your face, they tend to make you look older. While they are a natural part of aging, you can reduce their appearance with facial exercises and skin care products.
Facelifts can help correct these signs by tightening the tissues underneath and removing extra skin. Many patients are concerned that they will appear “over-operated.” Your doctor’s surgical expertise and experience will make your facial features unique. He will place incisions carefully in your hairline, then close them precisely to minimize and cause unnoticeable scarring.
Depending on your needs, you may require a limited or full incision facelift. He will make an incision around your ear or hairline and then lift the skin to expose the underlying tissue. This allows him to reposition the muscles and fat. He can also redistribute or remove fat to slim down the lower face.
You can expect some swelling and bruises after the surgery. You should be able to resume most of your normal activities after a few day’s rest. Your facelift results will last many years, particularly if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. To maximize the results of your facelift, limit sun exposure and avoid smoking. Also, choose topical creams which stimulate collagen growth.
Sagging Skin
Skin sagging is a sign of aging. Genetics, sun exposure and sedentary living are all factors that can contribute to this. Loss of collagen and elasticity can make the skin look older. Facelift surgery is one of the most effective treatments for sagging drooping skin.
A surgical facelift in Orange County can correct sagging facial skin, jowls and other signs of aging by lifting and tightening the tissue and muscle. This can restore a youthful complexion and help you look refreshed and rejuvenated.
During the surgery, your surgeon will likely create an incision along the hairline and around the ears. They may also make a limited incision under the chin to reduce the appearance of the jowls. Your surgeon will then remove or redistribute fat to lift the cheek area of your face and neck. Sometimes, they use liposuction to collect and reposition fat from other body areas.
The best candidates for a facelift have mild to moderate facial skin sagging and good overall health. You mustn’t smoke, as smoking can slow down the healing process after the procedure and lead to additional scarring. For those with less severe sagging, non-invasive treatments such as Thermage and dermal fillers can offer noticeable and long-lasting results.
Excessive Fat
The aging process can cause the loss of facial fat, which results in a hollowness or heaviness to the face. Fat transfer or fillers can be used to replace this lost volume. A facelift can be performed in conjunction with other procedures like a brow lift or eyelid surgery to rejuvenate the aging appearance of your eyes and a skin treatment such as IPL, dermabrasion or peels to improve the texture of the facial skin.
The facelift procedure can be done with either general or local anesthesia or with sedation (twilight anesthesia). With fine incisions hidden in front of the ears and hairline, your surgeon will tighten the tissues and muscles in the area. Fat may be sculpted, removed or relocated, and the face and neck skin are gently re-draped over this new contour of your facial structure.
Buccal fat, located in the center of the face, can be a common problem contributing to a heavy or bloated appearance.
The ideal candidate for a facelift is a healthy adult close to their target body weight who eats well and exercises regularly. Most plastic surgeries involve redistribution or removal of fat, so losing weight and maintaining this loss is essential for the best results from a facelift.
Muscles
The facial muscles weaken when we age, and the skin loses elasticity. This causes jowls, loose neck tissue, deep creases around the eyes and mouth, and a sagging or tired appearance. Facelift surgery corrects these problems by tightening the skin and underlying tissues and lifting them upward to create a youthful appearance. The surgeon also sculpts or redistributes fat as needed. Carefully choosing incision sites helps ensure the best possible results with minimal scarring.
Incisions usually start in the hairline, just above or behind the ear. They may extend into the earlobe, and the surgeon may make a second incision inside the ear to remove or trim excess skin. The surgeon may terminate or reposition the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), the layer of tissue supporting the cheeks, neck, and jawline. The surgeon then redrapes the remaining skin and trims it as necessary.
The surgery typically takes 3 to 6 hours, depending on the extent of change required. You will be under general anesthesia for your safety and comfort. If you take any medications, your doctor will want to know the names and dosages before the procedure.
After the surgery, you will receive antibiotic ointment and a bandage or elasticized facial sling to minimize swelling and bruising. A small tube may sometimes be placed under the skin to drain blood or fluid. Bruising and swelling will gradually improve during the healing process.
